Problems · by component

2013 Kia Sorento service brakes, hydraulic problems

54 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2013 Kia Sorento cite service brakes, hydraulic, 5% of all 983 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
54
5% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the service brakes, hydraulic

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. While the contact's granddaughter was attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that a special device was previously installed in the vehicle because of a legal matter. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who installed the device, and the vehicle was inspected. The contact was informed that the device did not cause the failure. In addition, the cause of the failure could not be determined. The contact was advised to contact the dealer for assistance. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 215,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 16, 2026Service brakes, hydraulic, Electrical systemODI 11711398
“The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 17V224000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) and 23V652000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). The contact stated that while his daughter was driving 45 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. In addition, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact's daughter stated that the engine had seized, and the vehicle had stalled. The contact's daughter was unable to coast to the side of the road. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The following day, the vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that since the first recall repair had not been completed, the manufacturer denied the recall repairs. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The contact received a bill from the dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact's daughter stated that before the engine failed, every time the vehicle was started, there was an…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 4, 2025Service brakes, hydraulic, Engine and engine coolingODI 11702984
“The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the ABS had failed, and the brakes needed to be repaired. The vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); and the recall repair was completed; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was informed of the persistent failure; however, the vehicle had not been taken to the dealer for another diagnostic test or repair. The manufacturer was informed of the failure, and a case was opened. The manufacturer referred the contact to the dealer for additional assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 21, 2025Service brakes, hydraulicODI 11700829
“The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine, and the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. An unknown repair was performed. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. An unknown repair was performed. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000. Parts distribution disconnect.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 18, 2025Service brakes, hydraulic, EngineODI 11649041
“The contact owned a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that after parking and turning the vehicle off, moments later flames and smoke were present coming from the engine compartment of the vehicle. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames. During the incident, the vehicle was destroyed and later towed away. The contact sustained a right-hand laceration while attempting to remove items from the vehicle. The injury did not require professional medical treatment. Police and fire report information was not available. The cause of the fire was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The contact indicated that VIN was included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC), and the recall had not been completed prior to the incident. The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced that same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 70,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 26, 2024Service brakes, hydraulicFire reportedODI 11616683
“The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the ABS warning light, the traction control warning light, and an unknown warning light were illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 201,000. Parts distribution disconnect.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 19, 2024Service brakes, hydraulicODI 11615340

Showing 6 of 54 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Service brakes

Park outsideRemedy pending

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Sep 25, 2023NHTSA 23V652000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.