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BrakesPart report

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 2023-05

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Brakes: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026621%
2025611%
202479%
20233418%
202224%
2020138%
2019710%
2018117%
2017266%
20163828%
20153121%
20142419%
2013257%
2012113%
20112514%
2010630%
20091519%
20082323%
20071216%
2006109%
200569%
20022511%
20012712%
20005418%
19994415%
19987123%
19971911%
19961526%
1995611%

Other parts of the 2018 Kia Sportage

Engine
91 complaints
Electrical system
30 complaints
Other or unknown
23 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
18 complaints
Fuel system
11 complaints
Steering
9 complaints
Vehicle speed control
8 complaints
Exterior lighting
6 complaints
Body and structure
6 complaints
Engine cooling
5 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaints
Seats
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