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2013 Kia Sorento brakes problems

88 complaints (9% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 75,000. 5 crashes reported.

owner complaints
88
of this car's complaints
9%
typical mileage
75,000
crashes
5
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Kia Sorento brakes problems in other years

20032005201520202026

Specific symptoms reported on the 2013 Kia Sorento brakes

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

ABS 28Grinding brakes 8Brake failure 6

Related recalls

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/moduleReported September 25, 2023 · 1,730,192 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
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.

Recall number 23V652000 · Recall details

Related investigations

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module FiresOpened November 17, 2023, still open

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.

AQ23002

What 2013 Kia Sorento owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jan 16, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · 215,000 miles · ME

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 the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 215,000.

Filed Jan 10, 2026 · Brakes, Engine · OH

Car stalled several times including as I was turning through an intersection. I took my car to KIA Ganley if Boardman 7870 Market Street Bdmn Two, Youngstown, Ohio 44512. I met w/Gerry who I explained the concerns with car stalling reminding him it had been almost 2 years since the jnick sensor issue was detected. So why am I expected to keep driving a dangerous vehicle without the repair needed??!!!! Also asked about light assembly replacement delay (per recall) since I'm replacing the turn signal & brake bulbs 5-6 times a year while awaiting a replacement. assembly.

Filed Dec 4, 2025 · Brakes, Engine · 125,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact received notifications of the federal safety agency 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 abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. However, after several minutes, the abnormal sound disappeared. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

Filed Nov 21, 2025 · Brakes · 101,000 miles · IL

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 the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Mar 18, 2025 · Brakes, Engine · 105,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Sep 26, 2024 · Brakes · 70,000 miles · IN · fire · 1 injury

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 federal safety agency 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.

Filed Sep 19, 2024 · Brakes · 201,000 miles · LA

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Sep 18, 2024 · Brakes · MA

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.

Filed Jul 22, 2024 · Brakes · GA

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Jun 24, 2024 · Brakes · FL

After having the recent recall completed at the dealer, shortly thereafter I noticed that the ABS warning light, traction control warning light, and the downhill assist warning light all came on and stayed on while driving. The service department at the dealership says that these events are not related to the recent recall. I checked online and the problem seems to be a faulty speed sensor in the hub is to blame. There are NUMEROUS complaints from KIA and Hyundai owners that all point to this part having failed. The 2011 to 2015 KIA Sorento (like mine), seems to be especially problematic. I feel this is a safety related issue that should be remedied by the dealer and the expense for this often-failed part should not be borne by the owners. My car has less than 40K miles and is not cruddy or rusty underneath. If this is not addressed, several safety features will not function and the drivers of these cars, as well as others on the road will be in peril. MANY owners are just driving with the warning lights on due to the complexity and high cost of this repair. I feel KIA should address this so as to save lives and show their customers some respect. Thanks! PS: I had the vehicle plugged into a code reader at a local well-known auto parts store and they confirmed that it was a wheel speed sensor.

Questions about the 2013 Kia Sorento brakes

Does the 2013 Kia Sorento have brakes problems?

Owners have filed 88 complaints about the brakes of the 2013 Kia Sorento, 9% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2013 Kia Sorento brakes problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 75,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2013 Kia Sorento brakes?

Yes, 1 recall: 23V652000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Kia Sorento have bad brakes?

The Kia Sorento model years with the most brakes complaints are 2011 (132 complaints), 2012 (103 complaints) and 2013 (88 complaints).

Other 2013 Kia Sorento problems

Engine 516Electrical 116Body 91Lights 70Transmission 69Airbags 60Fuel system 38Seats 33Visibility 31Acceleration 25Steering 22Driver assistance 11Suspension 11Seat belts 8Wheels 8Tires 7Locks 1

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