Recall 10V599 affects 7,697 2011 Kia Sorento vehicles for improperly machined rear brake calipers. Repair is free at any franchised Kia dealer.
Kia is recalling 7,697 2011 Sorento SUVs because rear brake calipers were not properly machined and can leak brake fluid. Owners can see a low-fluid warning light, then a soft or spongy brake pedal and reduced braking power, and the Kia dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The rear brake caliper on the 2011 Kia Sorento is the metal brake assembly mounted at each rear wheel. When you press the brake pedal, brake fluid pressure moves the caliper piston and squeezes the brake pads against the rotor. That clamping force helps slow the SUV and keeps the rear brakes working with the front brakes.
On affected Sorentos, some rear brake calipers were not machined correctly during manufacturing. That means the metal surfaces or internal passages were not finished to the shape the brake system needs. A poorly machined caliper can keep the piston, seal, or brake pad hardware from working as designed, which can reduce rear brake performance or lead to brake fluid leakage.
There is no warning sign before failure. If the caliper has begun to leak or bind, an owner can notice changes only after the problem is already present, such as a lower brake-fluid level, a brake warning light, or a different pedal feel.
Who's affected?
| 2011 Kia Sorento | hydraulic brake system |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 7,697 |
Not every 2011 Kia Sorento is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
A rear brake caliper problem can leak brake fluid, turn on the brake fluid warning light, and make the brake pedal feel soft or spongy. If ignored, the vehicle loses braking power and crash risk increases. If your 2011 Sorento shows these signs, stop driving and call a Kia dealer. Repair will be free at any franchised Kia dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011 Kia Sorento is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Kia dealer to schedule the free rear-caliper inspection and replacement that fixes the brake-fluid leak risk.
- Bring the recall notice if Kia mailed one. If not, reference recall number 10V599 when you call.
- Watch for a brake warning light, low brake-fluid message, or soft brake pedal, and avoid driving until a Kia dealer checks the brakes if any of those signs appear.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Kia technician inspects the rear brake calipers for the machining problem described in recall 10V599. If a rear caliper is affected, the technician replaces it. Parts and labor are covered by the recall once the dealer repair is available. When you contact the Kia service desk, ask whether the inspection alone is enough or whether your Sorento needs a caliper replacement.
Timeline
| November 24, 2010 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 10, 2010 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 10V599?
Recall 10V599 covers 7,697 2011 Kia Sorento vehicles with rear brake calipers that were not properly machined. Brake fluid can leak, leading to low-fluid warning, a soft brake pedal, and reduced braking power. Kia dealers inspect and replace affected calipers for free.
What should I do if my 2011 Kia Sorento is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Sorento is included in recall 10V599. If it is, contact a franchised Kia dealer to schedule the rear brake caliper inspection. Reference recall number 10V599 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Kia dealers inspect the rear brake calipers and replace affected calipers free of charge at any franchised Kia dealer.
What warning signs should I watch for on this Kia Sorento recall?
Watch for a low brake-fluid warning, then a soft or spongy brake pedal. The recall states brake fluid can leak from improperly machined rear brake calipers, and reduced braking power increases crash risk if the issue is not serviced.
What if I bought my 2011 Kia Sorento used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Sorento is included, then call a franchised Kia dealer or Kia Consumer Assistance Center at 1-800-333-4542.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/10V599000 |
|---|---|
| Kia customer service | 1-800-333-4542 |
| NHTSA recall # | 10V599 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 10V599000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 3, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →