YearToAvoid

2017 Kia Sportage Brakes Problems

NHTSA lists 28 brake complaints for the 2017 Kia Sportage, 7% of its 399 total complaints for the year. A related recall (21V137000) covers a Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit that can short-circuit and cause a fire, with 4 fires and 3 crashes reported among the sample.

Brakes complaints
28
7% of 399
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
2
Median mileage
88,852 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical brake symptoms owners report

  • Owners describe sudden loss of braking where the pedal goes to the floor or offers no resistance, sometimes leading to a crash.
  • Several complaints describe smoke or fumes from the engine compartment, in some cases followed by the vehicle catching fire while the driver tried to brake.
  • Some drivers report the vehicle stalling or losing power steering and braking at the same time while in motion.
  • Multiple owners who received the 21V137000 recall notice said replacement parts were not available at dealers for an extended period.
  • One early complaint describes the brake pedal sinking to the floor at very low mileage, which required replacing the brake cylinder.

When 2017 Kia Sportage brake complaints were filed

First complaint Aug 26, 2016, latest Jun 16, 2026.

2017 Kia Sportage brakes complaints: complaints filed per month5Aug 2016Mar 2020Apr 2021Feb 2022Jan 2023Dec 2023Jun 2025Apr 2026
28 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2016 to Jun 2026; peak May 2021 (5).

Brakes recalls for the 2017 Kia Sportage

  1. NHTSA 21V137000Mar 4, 2021Brakes379,931 vehiclesPark Outside

    Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module

    Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Sportage and Cadenza vehicles. The electrical circuit in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may short-circuit, which can cause a fire in the engine compartment.

    Risk: 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 will be performed free of charge. The recall began on April 30, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC206.

Brakes complaints by Sportage model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20107 (35%)
  2. 201129 (16%)
  3. 201213 (3%)
  4. 201326 (7%)
  5. 201425 (20%)
  6. 201532 (22%)
  7. 201638 (29%)
  8. 201728 (7%)
  9. 201812 (7%)
  10. 20197 (10%)
  11. 202012 (8%)
  12. 20210 (0%)
  13. 20222 (4%)
  14. 202334 (18%)
  15. 20247 (10%)
  16. 20255 (10%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2017 Kia Sportage have a brake recall?
Yes. Recall 21V137000 covers 2017-2021 Sportage and Cadenza vehicles for a Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) that can short-circuit and cause an engine compartment fire. Kia advised owners to park outside and away from structures until the repair is done.
How common are brake complaints on the 2017 Kia Sportage?
NHTSA lists 28 brake-related complaints for the 2017 Sportage, which is 7% of all 399 complaints filed for that model year.
At what mileage do brake problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure across brake complaints for the 2017 Sportage is 88,851.5 miles, though some owners reported issues at much lower mileage.
Have the brake issues caused crashes or fires?
NHTSA data for this area shows 3 crashes, 4 fires, and 2 injuries linked to brake complaints on the 2017 Sportage.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.