# Kia Sportage brake warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Stop driving - **Owner complaints:** 14 - **Most complaints:** 2017 (5) - **Related recalls:** 3 - **Verdict:** Stop now ## Quick answer NHTSA has 14 owner complaints about the brake warning light on the Kia Sportage (2015-2026 models), most for the **2017** model year (5). There are **3 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 Sportage brake warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the brake light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2017 | 5 | 404 | 1% | | 2018 | 1 | 165 | 1% | | 2019 | 2 | 71 | 3% | | 2020 | 1 | 166 | 1% | | 2023 | 2 | 195 | 1% | | 2026 | 3 | 30 | 10% | 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 Sportage recalls related to the brake warning light **[23V410000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=23V410000)** (2023 models, reported 2023-06-07): A loss of power brake assist can extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash. **Remedy:** Dealers will inspect and replace the brake booster as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2023. **[22V051000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=22V051000)** (2015-2016 models, reported 2022-02-02): 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 install a new fuse for the HECU circuit board, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 22, 2022. **[21V137000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=21V137000)** (2017-2021 models, reported 2021-03-04): An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury. **Remedy:** Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace certain fuses in the electrical junction box. Vehicles equipped with an electronic parking brake (EPB) will also receive a HECU software update. Repairs... 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 Sportage owners report - "The vehicle suddenly lost propulsion and coasted with no throttle response, and multiple warning lights and messages appeared simultaneously, including braking, electronic parking brake, and driver-assistance warnings. A sudden, unexpected loss of power at highway speed creates a serious crash risk, including..." -- owner of a 2026 Kia Sportage, complaint filed 2026 - "...electrical parking brake malfunction, electronic stability control malfunction, automatic braking, and downhill brake indicator. All warning lights illuminate on dash until car is stopped and turned off. And even then they may come on again upon restart. This has happened intermittently since I purchased the..." -- owner of a 2023 Kia Sportage, complaint filed 2024 - "The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, he would experience uneven braking upon depression of the brake pedal, without warning. The contact stated that the brakes was pulling to the left and then to the right, before coming to a complete stop. The contact had performed several brake repairs which..." -- owner of a 2020 Kia Sportage, complaint filed 2023 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 Sportage brake light? Yes. NHTSA lists 3 related recalls (23V410000, 22V051000, 21V137000) covering 2015-2023 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which Kia Sportage years have the most brake light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2017, 2019 and 2026 Sportage model years have the most complaints mentioning the brake warning light, with 5 for 2017. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Kia Sportage 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 Sportage 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 Sportage warning lights - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/kia-sportage): 5 complaints - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/kia-sportage): 14 complaints - [Battery (charging system) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/kia-sportage): 8 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/kia-sportage): 202 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/kia-sportage): 22 complaints - [Oil pressure warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/kia-sportage): 76 complaints - [Power steering warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/kia-sportage): 19 complaints - [Traction control light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/kia-sportage): 8 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 Sportage - [Kia Sportage specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/kia-sportage) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/kia-sportage Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.