Diagsheet

2017 Kia Sportage · symptom sheet

Brakes grind, pulse or wear early

  • 25owner reports
  • 93,703median miles
  • 2involved a crash

Newest report Jun 16, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

25 of the 399 complaints on this car describe brake wear.

Tick what matches of 25 reports

2
2
1
1
9
1

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the caliper (3 reports) and the ABS module (3 reports).

Recalls and investigations

One recall on the brakes covers the 2017 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

21V-137Mar 4, 2021
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Sportage and Cadenza vehicles. The electrical circuit in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may short-circuit, which can cause a fire in the engine compartment.

Risk and remedy
Risk: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace certain fuses in the electrical junction box. Vehicles equipped with an electronic parking brake (EPB) will also receive a HECU software update. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on April 30, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC206.

NHTSA investigations into the brakes on the Sportage

AQ23-002opened Nov 17, 2023
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · model years 2008 to 2021

Hyundai and kia abs module fires. Open.

NHTSA summary
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 81,000 and 100,038 miles, from the 9 reports that gave a mileage.

116
120
921
322
423
224
325
226

What owners wrote

“I recently paid out of pocket for replacement of Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit and I see that it was a recall on my make model and year, but my Vin number was not included in the recall”

Filed Aug 20, 2025

“My vehicle's brakes are making a strange, unusual noise that I don't notice around other vehicles when I have the opportunity to access them (service vehicle or renter car).”

Filed Jun 25, 2025

“ABS system failing on my 2017 kia sportage Vin # [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”

Filed Nov 2, 2024

“Calipers lock up, even going 10 mph. This is after 1 month of replacing part of the brake line and the caliper. The brake system sensor seems to be faulty as the car never tells you that you have an issue.”

Filed Feb 27, 2023

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 2 of 25 reports involved a crash and 1 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