2018 Kia Sportage Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 7%of 165 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 16,147miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the brakes of the 2018 Kia Sportage, 7% of the 165 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 16,147 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I purchased my 2018 Kia Sportage ex brand new 6-8-18. Less than 100 miles on the car and the dashboard instrument lights went dark while driving on the highway in the dark. I brought it back to dealer, they had to order a new gauge dimmer cluster because the original failed. Several weeks later the brakes began violently shaking the car when braking on the highway. Again, I brought it back to the dealer and they resurfaced the brake rotors due to warping. Several months later on 1-28-19 the engine died on the highway placing the vehicle into limp home mode. …”
NHTSA complaint #11173712, filed 2019-02, 5,080 miles“2018 Kia Sportage 4d 4x4 while in 'park' rolled down home driveway. Vehicle rolled into street, while wife holding one year old son dodged vehicle to avoid getting crushed.”
NHTSA complaint #11113458, filed 2018-07, 900 miles“When pressing brake during operation, a noise comes from underneath vehicle. The warning lights goes off but come back on while driving and stays on. Kia dealer stated it was the ABS module going bad. Kia dealer recently replaced engine block due to manufacturer defect and completed two recalls. Dealer advised this was a new problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11567272, filed 2024-01“The contact owns a 2018 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V137000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that while driving on several occasions over two days, at various speeds, she observed a growing loud grinding and clicking noise emanating from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and restarted. The contact stated that on the last occasion, while in reverse(R), the vehicle lost power and failed to reverse as intended. …”
NHTSA complaint #11580879, filed 2024-04, 115,000 miles“With the cruise control set at highway speed (65pmh, etc) If you push the foot controlled parking brake it will not cancel the cruise control. The vehicle increases the acceleration to maximum and overrides the parking brake input. If using the parking brake in an emergency you would stomp on the parking (emergency brake) and not be able to slow down unless separately cancelling the cruise control.”
NHTSA complaint #11523371, filed 2023-05Related recalls
- 21V137000Mar 4, 2021Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Sportage and Cadenza vehicles. The electrical circuit in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU)…Covers: Kia Sportage 2017–2021, Cadenza 2017–2019
Related service bulletins
- 10179255Aug 25, 2020PITSTOP - BRAKE CALIPER LEAK INSPECTION - This PITSTOP provides information related to a brake caliper fluid/oil substance found on some Kia vehicles, due to possible excess…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 21% |
| 2025 | 6 | 11% |
| 2024 | 7 | 9% |
| 2023 | 34 | 18% |
| 2022 | 2 | 4% |
| 2020 | 13 | 8% |
| 2019 | 7 | 10% |
| 2018 | 11 | 7% |
| 2017 | 26 | 6% |
| 2016 | 38 | 28% |
| 2015 | 31 | 21% |
| 2014 | 24 | 19% |
| 2013 | 25 | 7% |
| 2012 | 11 | 3% |
| 2011 | 25 | 14% |
| 2010 | 6 | 30% |
| 2009 | 15 | 19% |
| 2008 | 23 | 23% |
| 2007 | 12 | 16% |
| 2006 | 10 | 9% |
| 2005 | 6 | 9% |
| 2002 | 25 | 11% |
| 2001 | 27 | 12% |
| 2000 | 54 | 18% |
| 1999 | 44 | 15% |
| 1998 | 71 | 23% |
| 1997 | 19 | 11% |
| 1996 | 15 | 26% |
| 1995 | 6 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2018 Kia Sportage
91 complaintsElectrical system
30 complaintsOther or unknown
23 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
18 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsSeats
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 Kia Sportage
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology