2008 Kia Sorento Problems, Recalls & Reliability
319 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2008 Kia Sorento, alongside 3 recall campaigns and 3 defect investigations. It scores 18/100 on the trouble index — one of this model's quieter years. Airbags leads the reports, typically around 70,000 miles.
One of the quieter years. Relative to its siblings, the 2008 Kia Sorento has drawn well-below-average complaint volume with at least four years on the road.
Better year
Where 2008 sits among all Sorento years
What owners report
“On occasion, "passenger air bag off" light goes on while an adult (>120lbs.) is sitting in the front passenger seat.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2008 Sorento
“Check engine and esc light came on while driving down the interstate. Truck immediately loses power.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2008 Sorento
“Interior lights have not worked for years. The light on ceiling of car is switched to off because the interior lights do not go out when you shut all of the doors”— owner report to NHTSA, 2008 Sorento
“When it's humid outside or there is any kind of moisture in the air my check engine light comes on along with the esc light. The car seems bogged down and wont go above 2000 rpm. It takes 15 minutes just to get the car up to 50 mph and thats with the gas peddle pushed all the way to the floor. It…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2008 Sorento
“For the 3rd time my wife's car esc light and check engine light came on as the vehicle speed came to almost a stop. This is very dangers for up hill or in heavy traffic. She also had previous problems with the esc light and tps light coming on. Taken to dealer several times over the last year. We…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2008 Sorento
“Their brake lights are NOT working even when stopped during stopped traffic there is no indication of them braking”— owner report to NHTSA, 2008 Sorento
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 245 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 60,300 miles. Half of those reports fall between 33,000 and 99,981 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (3)
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Sedona and 2007-2009 Sorento vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the main junction box to prevent power from being directed to the HECU when the vehicle's ignition switch is turned off, free of charge.…
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009…
Fix: Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge.…
KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 SORENTO PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 15, 2006 THROUGH NOVEMBER 27, 2007. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG MAY BE TURNED OFF WHEN AN ADULT IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG IS DESIGNED TO…
Fix: KIA WILL UPDATE THE PROGRAMMING IN THE SORENTO OCS CONTROL MODULE AT NO CHARGE. THE RECALL REMEDY IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE UNDER SERVICE CAMPAIGN SC076. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT…
Federal defect investigations
Led to recall campaign 11V473000.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2008 Kia Sorento reliable?
The 2008 Kia Sorento drew 319 complaints in federal safety records — one of this model's quieter years. Its trouble index is 18/100, scored against the model's worst year (2011).
What are the most common 2008 Kia Sorento problems?
The top reported problems for the 2008 Kia Sorento are airbags (67 complaints), other (56), and electrical (46).
At what mileage do 2008 Kia Sorento problems show up?
Owners most often report 2008 Kia Sorento problems around 60,300 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 33,000 and 99,981 miles.
Does the 2008 Kia Sorento have recalls?
3 recall campaigns apply to the 2008 Kia Sorento. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.