Recall 15V360 affects 7,722 2011 Kia Sportage vehicles for an intermittent brake light switch failure. Repair is free at any franchised Kia dealer.
Kia is recalling 7,722 2011 Sportage SUVs because the brake light switch can fail intermittently. When the switch is not working, the brake lights do not illuminate, so other motorists get less warning before the driver stops; Kia dealers will replace the switch free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The brake light switch in the 2011 Kia Sportage is a small electrical switch tied to the brake pedal. When you press the pedal, the switch closes a circuit and turns on the rear brake lights. That signal tells drivers behind you that the Sportage is slowing or stopped.
On affected Sportage vehicles, that switch does not close the circuit consistently. The result is an intermittent brake light failure: the pedal is pressed, but the rear brake lights do not receive the signal every time. Kia's replacement switch uses a changed contact plate angle, so the repair focuses on the internal contact point that completes the electrical circuit.
There is no warning sign before failure. A driver inside the Sportage will not see the rear brake lights while driving, so the problem can go unnoticed until another person reports that the brake lights failed to illuminate.
Who's affected?
| 2011 Kia Sportage | Switch |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 7,722 |
Not every 2011 Kia Sportage is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
A failed brake light switch keeps the brake lights from illuminating, so drivers behind you receive less warning when you stop. That increases the risk of a crash. Until the switch is replaced, drive cautiously and schedule service soon. Repair is free at any franchised Kia dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011 Kia Sportage is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Kia dealer to schedule the free brake-light-switch replacement that fixes the intermittent brake light failure.
- Bring Kia's owner letter if you have it, and reference recall number 15V360 when you call.
- Use extra caution until the repair is complete. Leave extra following distance because the brake lights can stop warning drivers behind you.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Kia technician replaces the brake light switch covered by this recall. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. If you've already paid out of pocket for a brake light switch repair related to this condition, Kia's General Reimbursement Plan covers eligible documented expenses. Keep your repair order and payment records, then ask Kia customer service or the dealer service desk how to submit the reimbursement claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| June 9, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 6, 2015 | Dealer notification began |
| July 6, 2015 | Dealer notification ended |
| July 7, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
| July 9, 2015 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V360?
Recall 15V360 covers 7,722 2011 Kia Sportage vehicles with a brake light switch that can intermittently fail. When the switch is not working, the brake lights do not illuminate. Kia dealers replace the brake light switch for free.
What should I do if my 2011 Kia Sportage is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Sportage is included in recall 15V360. If it is, contact a franchised Kia dealer to schedule the brake light switch replacement. Reference recall number 15V360 and Kia recall number SC121 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Kia will replace the brake light switch free of charge at any franchised Kia dealer. Parts and labor are covered for this recall repair.
What is the safety risk in recall 15V360?
The safety risk is that the brake lights do not illuminate when the brake switch is not working. That reduces the warning other drivers get when you are stopping, increasing crash risk. The fix is a free brake light switch replacement at a Kia dealer.
What if I bought my 2011 Kia Sportage used?
The free repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the original owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Sportage is included, then call a franchised Kia dealer and reference recall 15V360 or Kia recall number SC121.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V360000 |
|---|---|
| Kia customer service | 1-800-333-4542 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V360 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V360000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 1, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →