# Kia Sorento brake warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Stop driving - **Owner complaints:** 24 - **Most complaints:** 2017 (7) - **Related recalls:** 2 - **Verdict:** Stop now ## Quick answer NHTSA has 24 owner complaints about the brake warning light on the Kia Sorento (2015-2026 models), most for the **2017** model year (7). There are **2 recalls** for related parts; check yours by VIN. Stop driving: If the light goes out when you release the parking brake, you are fine. ## Kia Sorento brake warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the brake light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 4 | 755 | 1% | | 2016 | 3 | 1262 | 0% | | 2017 | 7 | 808 | 1% | | 2018 | 1 | 255 | 0% | | 2019 | 3 | 435 | 1% | | 2022 | 2 | 194 | 1% | | 2023 | 2 | 126 | 2% | | 2024 | 1 | 44 | 2% | | 2026 | 1 | 6 | 17% | Counts are complaints filed with NHTSA whose description mentions this light. They show where owners have had trouble, not a failure rate: popular years collect more complaints simply because more cars are on the road. ## Kia Sorento recalls related to the brake warning light **[21V331000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=21V331000)** (2015 models, reported 2021-05-10): 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... **[20V519000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=20V519000)** (2015 models, reported 2020-08-27): 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. Recall repairs are free at any Kia dealer. Enter your 17-character VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see whether yours is still open. ## What Kia Sorento owners report - "About one block before my destination, I stopped at a traffic light and applied light pressure to the brake pedal. The vehicle slammed and jerked to a stop unexpectedly. Moments later, while turning into a parking space, I pressed the brake pedal again and the vehicle did not stop as expected. The SUV went over the..." -- owner of a 2026 Kia Sorento, complaint filed 2026 - "This same sequence happened again at another red light when the brake was engaged. The dealership the car was purchased from would not evaluate the car as they stated it is under factory warranty and should be evaluated at the manufacturer. The closest Kia manufacturer has been notified, but they have not inspected..." -- owner of a 2024 Kia Sorento, complaint filed 2026 - "The car is accelerating without anyone pressing down on the gas, not accelerating when our foot is on the gas, jerking unexplainably and the emergency brake warning is coming on when it has not been employed." -- owner of a 2023 Kia Sorento, complaint filed 2025 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the brake warning light means The red brake warning light most often means the parking brake is still on. If it stays on after you fully release the parking brake, the brake fluid is likely low, which can mean worn pads or a leak in the brake system. A brake light that stays on while driving is a reason to pull over and check, because a fluid leak can lead to loss of braking. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Parking brake on or not fully released** (most common) 2. **Low brake fluid from worn pads** (common) 3. **Brake fluid leak** (less common) 4. **Faulty fluid level sensor or parking brake switch** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Brake warning light](/warning-lights/brake). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Kia Sorento brake light? Yes. NHTSA lists 2 related recalls (21V331000, 20V519000) covering 2015 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which Kia Sorento years have the most brake light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2015, 2016 and 2017 Sorento model years have the most complaints mentioning the brake warning light, with 7 for 2017. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Kia Sorento with the brake light on? Stop driving. If the light goes out when you release the parking brake, you are fine. If it stays on, especially with a soft pedal, low fluid, or the ABS light also on, stop driving and have the car towed, because the brakes may fail. ### How do I check if my Kia Sorento has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Kia dealer. Open recalls are fixed free of charge, even if you are not the first owner. ## Sources - [NHTSA: Vehicle safety complaints and recalls (api.nhtsa.gov)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-datasets-and-apis) - [NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) ## Other Kia Sorento warning lights - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/kia-sorento): 36 complaints - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/kia-sorento): 37 complaints - [Battery (charging system) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/kia-sorento): 29 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/kia-sorento): 578 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/kia-sorento): 138 complaints - [Oil pressure warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/kia-sorento): 216 complaints - [Power steering warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/kia-sorento): 81 complaints - [Tire pressure (TPMS) light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/tire-pressure/kia-sorento): 14 complaints - [Traction control light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/kia-sorento): 34 complaints ## Brake warning light on other models - [Honda CR-V](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/honda-cr-v): 561 complaints - [Chevrolet Silverado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/chevrolet-silverado): 383 complaints - [Honda Accord](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/honda-accord): 360 complaints - [Honda Pilot](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/honda-pilot): 223 complaints - [Jeep Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/jeep-cherokee): 215 complaints - [Ram 1500](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/ram-1500): 208 complaints - [GMC Sierra](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/gmc-sierra): 206 complaints - [Honda Odyssey](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/honda-odyssey): 176 complaints - [Chevrolet Equinox](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/chevrolet-equinox): 154 complaints - [Jeep Grand Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/jeep-grand-cherokee): 142 complaints ## Kia Sorento - [Kia Sorento specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/kia-sorento) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/kia-sorento Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.