2014 Kia Sorento · symptom sheet
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early
- 82owner reports
- 80,000median miles
- $513median quote
- 3involved a crash
Newest report Aug 28, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026
82 of the 941 complaints on this car describe brake wear.
Tick what matches of 82 reports
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the ABS module (26 reports).
Recalls and investigations
3 recalls on the brakes cover the 2014 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
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.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles previously recalled under recall 20V-519. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. Dealers will install a new multi-fuse, and inspect the HECU for leaks, replacing the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 2, 2021. This recall supersedes previous NHTSA recall number 20V-519. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC212.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the HECU for leaking brake fluid and replace the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. The recall began October 20, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC197.
NHTSA investigations into the brakes on the Sorento
Hyundai and kia abs module fires. Open.
NHTSA summary
What owners paid
5 of the 82 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $463 to $657.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 41,000 and 120,000 miles, from the 39 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“All of it. Car randomly shuts off and lose power steering. No. Dealership has inspected. ALL the lights in the dash light up, screen says battery discharge warning, car shuts off and lose power steering while driving down the road.”
Filed Mar 14, 2025
“Every light is on in the dash compartment. Power steering goes in and out. Brake lights not working even after being replaced. Car stuck in park unable to put into reverse. ABS/ Airbag light showing- ABS Sensor replaced and still not working Recall in 2022. Kia repaired vehicle and now that same issues are occurring Kia refuses to even look at vehicle without payment of 180.00 to just LOOK!”
Filed Jun 27, 2024
“Informed Nov 19 of HECU leak resulting in fire even when parked and to park vehicle away from structures. KIA DOES NOT HAVE A REMEDY YET. Spoke with Lupient dealer and they have no idea when available. While I appreciate the notice I find it very disappointing and disturbing that a remedy is not in place especially with holiday traveling in this vehicle.”
Filed Nov 20, 2023
“We bought the car 6 months ago from a dealership and since then the breaks are bad the engine makes this strange noise it always smells like oil is burning. The seat belts don't stay latch and I hr suspension is all over the place.”
Filed Aug 18, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 3 of 82 reports involved a crash and 2 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.
Other problems on this car
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 181 reports
- Paint peels or body rusts 147 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 138 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 91 reports
- Headlights too dim or fail 68 reports
- Windshield cracks or distorts 55 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 49 reports
- Vehicle fire 42 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 33 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 26 reports