2015 Kia Sorento brakes problems

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

31 owners have reported brakes problems with the 2015 Kia Sorento, 6% of all complaints about this model year. The typical problem appeared around 96,351 mi.

Brakes complaints
31
Crashes
2
Fires
5
Injuries
3
Related recalls
2
Median mileage
96,351 mi

Specific components reported

Brakes covers: Service brakes (hydraulic, electric, air), ABS and parking brake.

ComponentComplaints
Service brakes15
Service brakes, hydraulic14
Service brakes, air:antilock:abs warning light1
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:abs warning light1

Brakes complaints across Kia Sorento years

12006813200866520117464201371312015211320177132019522021181220236620252
Brakes complaints by model year. The 2015 is highlighted.

Mileage when the problem appeared

Under 10k10k–30k130k–60k760k–100k4100k–150k2150k+
Complaints that list mileage, grouped by odometer reading.

Related recalls

  • Recall 21V331000May 10, 2021440,370 vehiclesPark outside
    SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

    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: An electrical short in the HECU increases the risk of a fire while parked or driving.

    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.

  • Recall 20V519000Aug 27, 2020440,370 vehiclesPark outside
    SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

    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: If the HECU short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.

    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.

What owners say

  1. Filed Jul 11, 2026ILBrakesElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise Control
    I parked my car and it was sitting for about an hour I came back to the car and heard a humming noise found that weird but I had to drive home about 10 mins later I parked car, sound was still going even while car was off. So I thought to let it sit for another while. Came back to car sound was still on I started car and the abs, traction, & brake light came on and not even 2 mins later my car starts smoking. So immediately I shut it off and have to leave my car parked in…
    NHTSA complaint #11749754 · source
  2. Filed Jun 15, 2026PAFireBody & StructureBrakesEngine
    2015 Kia Sorento fire on the 7th I was drive lost brakes and steering and as soon as I stop to get out to check the whole truck went up in flames
    NHTSA complaint #11744083 · source
  3. Filed Apr 21, 2025AZFireBrakesEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    The entire car failed as it caught fire. I wasn't able to break or put the car into park and it rolled to a stop while smoke was coming through the vents. Because of this, my passenger and I exited the vehicle and crossed the expressway while a highway patroller was directing traffic away from the car. Within 2 minutes the car was engulfed in flames. The car is not available for inspection as it was towed away and disposed of. The safety of myself and the passenger were at…
    NHTSA complaint #11655958 · source
  4. Filed Jun 18, 2024155,000 miTNFireTowedBrakes
    The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that his vehicle had burst in flames while parked in his drive way. The contact called the fire department, however he was able to extinguish the flames using hand held extinguishers. The contact stated that the damage was contained to the front end of the vehicle, the engine compartment, the fire wall and the passenger front side. The fire department issued a report. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local…
    NHTSA complaint #11595002 · source
  5. Filed May 7, 2024147,000 miGAFireTowedBrakes
    The contact owned a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the vehicle was driven to a store, and when the vehicle was turned off, the contact saw smoke and fire coming from the hood. The contact went into the store to get a fire extinguisher and bystanders used their fire extinguishers and attempted to extinguish the fire. The Fire department extinguished the fire. There were no occupants in the vehicle. No injuries were sustained. The contact stated that all vehicles…
    NHTSA complaint #11587406 · source
  6. Filed Mar 27, 202468,000 miMDBrakesTransmission & Drivetrain
    The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal knocking sound emanating from the engine compartment. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the remedy for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); the VIN was…
    NHTSA complaint #11579810 · source
  7. Filed Jan 14, 2024VABrakesElectrical SystemEngine
    Check engine light started coming on at about 39,000. miles took to local mechanic who preformed lots of repairs and called Kia for information concerning engine issue. Received notice of recall from Kia on the HECU -instructing me to park truck away from home due to fire. Check engine light back on again at 41,000 miles, took to dealership where they replaced the HECU and fuel pump and fuel lines. Picked up truck and noticed when braking the truck shook all over and seem to…
    NHTSA complaint #11565432 · source
  8. Filed Jul 6, 2023127,000 miPATowedBrakesVisibility & Wipers
    The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the brakes and the steering wheel seized inadvertently, and the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The contact stated that she attempted to roll up the windows, but the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle failed to restart after several attempts. The check engine warning light, ABS warning light, and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle…
    NHTSA complaint #11530648 · source
  9. Filed May 16, 202393,000 miNJTowedBrakes
    The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle failed to restart after several attempts. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it remained awaiting diagnostic test and repair. The manufacturer was made aware…
    NHTSA complaint #11522284 · source
  10. Filed Jan 27, 2023TXBrakes
    The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (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 dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
    NHTSA complaint #11504065 · source
  11. Filed Sep 20, 2022125,000 miNYTowedBrakesEngine
    The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle overheated with the temperature gauge indicating that the engine was hot. The contact also stated that smoke was coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and was diagnosed with engine failure; the vehicle was no longer operable. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) which she linked to the…
    NHTSA complaint #11485398 · source
  12. Filed May 27, 202270,000 miKYBrakesEngine
    The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle overheated and the wheels were shaking. The vehicle also experienced brake failure. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and diagnosed with engine failure. The engine was replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulics). The…
    NHTSA complaint #11466442 · source

Other 2015 Kia Sorento problem areas

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology