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Kia Hydraulic Brake Recalls Involve Fire and Reduced Braking
⚠ 2 carry a park-outside (fire risk) advisory.
Kia's hydraulic brake notices divide between engine-compartment fire risks and reduced braking performance. The Stinger notice covers certain 2018-2021 vehicles after an explicitly stated expansion and describes fire near the Anti-lock Brake Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit while driving. The March 2021 notice identifies a possible HECU electrical short in certain 2017-2021 Sportage and Cadenza vehicles. Sportage also appears in a separate 2023-model recall involving a misaligned brake booster diaphragm and internal vacuum leak. The 2020-2021 Rio recall instead concerns sharp edges in the master cylinder that can damage an inner oil seal. These notices describe different defects requiring different repairs.
Warning signs to watch for
- SC223, 2020-2021 Rio: reduced braking performance can cause longer brake pedal travel or a longer stopping distance.
- SC272, 2023 Sportage: loss of power brake assist can extend the distance required to stop.
Can you keep driving? What the notices say
Two notices give park-outside instructions: the August 2020 Stinger engine-compartment fire recall and the March 2021 Cadenza/Sportage brake-module fire recall. Both advise parking outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. None of the four notices tells owners to stop driving. For the December 2021 Rio master-cylinder recall and June 2023 Sportage brake-booster recall, the notices do not tell owners to stop driving. The parking instructions belong specifically to the two fire-risk recalls.
What the free repair involves
The Stinger notice specifies a free fuse-kit installation in the electrical junction box. The Cadenza/Sportage notice specifies fuse replacement and a HECU software update for vehicles with electronic parking brakes. SC223 replaces the Rio master cylinder free of charge. SC272 provides free inspection and brake-booster replacement as necessary for the 2023 Sportage.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| critical | 2 |
| high | 2 |
Models affected most
Where owners report service brakes, hydraulic problems most
NHTSA owner complaints filed under service brakes, hydraulic for the Kia models and years in this guide. Complaints are unverified reports and are not limited to the recalled defects.
| Vehicle | Service brakes, hydraulic complaints |
|---|---|
| 2023 Kia Sportage | 35 |
| 2020 Kia Sportage | 12 |
| 2019 Kia Stinger | 11 |
| 2018 Kia Sportage | 11 |
| 2018 Kia Stinger | 9 |
| 2019 Kia Sportage | 7 |
| 2021 Kia Stinger | 6 |
| 2021 Kia RIO | 3 |
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 7, 2023 | Sportage Brake Booster Leak May Cut Power Assist | high |
| Dec 1, 2021 | Kia Rio Brake Master Cylinder Defect | high |
| Mar 4, 2021 | Kia Cadenza, Sportage Brake Module Fire Risk · park outside | critical |
| Aug 27, 2020 | Kia Stinger: Engine Compartment Fire Risk While Driving · park outside | critical |
Common questions
Which Kia hydraulic brake recalls include a fire risk?
The Stinger notice describes an engine-compartment fire near the HECU while driving. The March 2021 Sportage/Cadenza notice describes a possible HECU electrical short causing an engine-compartment fire. Both direct owners to park outside and away from structures until repaired.
What brake-pedal change does the Rio notice describe?
SC223 says reduced braking performance can cause longer brake pedal travel or increase stopping distance in certain 2020-2021 Rio vehicles. The stated defect involves sharp master-cylinder edges damaging the inner oil seal. Dealers replace the master cylinder free of charge.
Does the 2023 Sportage brake recall use the same repair as the fire recall?
The 2023 Sportage notice, SC272, specifies inspecting and replacing the brake booster as necessary, free of charge. The March 2021 Sportage/Cadenza fire notice instead specifies fuse replacement, with a HECU software update for vehicles equipped with electronic parking brakes.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.