2008 KIA SORENTO — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
317
Owner Complaints
3
Recalls
2
Service Bulletins
2
Investigations
Overview of the 2008 KIA SORENTO
The 2008 KIA SORENTO has received a total of 317 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 4 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH. 2 technical service bulletins have been issued by Kia America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Air Bags (48 complaints), Electronic Stability Control Esc (44 complaints), and Engine (35 complaints).
Recalls for the 2008 KIA SORENTO
NHTSA has recorded 4 recalls for the 2008 KIA SORENTO, potentially affecting up to 1,448,666 vehicles.
Recall 20V088000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
| 228,829 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the vehicle is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.
Remedy: 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. The recall began June 5,...
View full details →Recall 20V088000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
| 228,829 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the vehicle is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.
Remedy: 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. The recall began June 5,...
View full details →Recall 13V114000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
| 980,377 vehicles affected
Defect: 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 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007...
Consequence: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall...
View full details →Recall 11V473000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
| 10,631 vehicles affected
Defect: 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 BE TURNED OFF IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES INCLUDING WHEN CHILDREN AND SMALL ADULTS ARE SEATED IN THE...
Consequence: THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IS TURNED OFF WHEN THE OCS MISCLASSIFIES AN ADULT PASSENGER. WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF, THE FRONT PASSENGER WILL NOT HAVE THE PROTECTION OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAGS IN SOME FRONTAL COLLISIONS, THUS INCREASING THE RISK OF OCCUPANT INJURY.
Remedy: 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 1-800-333-4542.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2008 KIA SORENTO
317 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2008 KIA SORENTO. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 48 | 10 | 0 | 13 | 3 |
| Electronic Stability Control Esc | 44 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine | 35 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 30 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 28 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Power Train | 19 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 17 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Air Bagsfrontal | 13 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 12 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Hydraulic | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bagsfrontalsensorcontrol Module | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Trainautomatic Transmission | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System Gasoline | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Tires | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuelpropulsion System | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebody | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tirespressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical Systemignition | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical Systemignitionswitch | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingengine | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust System | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitywiper | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
My 2008 Kia Sorento parked inside a garage for 2 days, not running, not idling, without the key in the ignition, all of a sudden cut fire by itself, consuming the entire engine compartment and part of the front seat, and also caused substantial damage to the the garage. Filed a claim with Kia which denied responsibilities. The incident occurred in December 26, 2025, and was waiting for Kia decision before further action
My 2008 Kia Sorento parked inside a garage for 2 days, not running, not idling, without the key in the ignition, all of a sudden cut fire by itself, consuming the entire engine compartment and part of the front seat, and also caused substantial damage to the the garage. Filed a claim with Kia which denied responsibilities. The incident occurred in December 26, 2025, and was waiting for Kia decision before further action
My 2008 Kia Sorento parked inside a garage for 2 days, not running, not idling, without the key in the ignition, all of a sudden cut fire by itself, consuming the entire engine compartment and part of the front seat, and also caused substantial damage to the the garage. Filed a claim with Kia which denied responsibilities. The incident occurred in December 26, 2025, and was waiting for Kia decision before further action
My ABS sent codes saying there's moisture in the ABS Module,Brake Light Switch may malfunction are cause Accidents due to malfunction of Brake Lights...
My ABS sent codes saying there's moisture in the ABS Module,Brake Light Switch may malfunction are cause Accidents due to malfunction of Brake Lights...
Safety Rating for the 2008 KIA SORENTO
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2008 KIA SORENTO in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2008 KIA SORENTO
Kia America, Inc. has issued 2 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2008 KIA SORENTO. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
KT-2009050801 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
KIA MOTORS: THESE VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A PROBLEM WITH THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS). THE OCS IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE PASSENGERS SEAT CUSHION, AND MAY MISCLASSIFY THE PRESENCE OF CERTAIN ADULT PASSENGERS BASED ON A COMIBINATION OF THEIR WEIGHT, STATURE, BODY SHAPE AND POSITION ON THE SEAT CUSHION....
KT-2009050801 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
KIA MOTORS: THESE VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A PROBLEM WITH THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS). THE OCS IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE PASSENGERS SEAT CUSHION, AND MAY MISCLASSIFY THE PRESENCE OF CERTAIN ADULT PASSENGERS BASED ON A COMIBINATION OF THEIR WEIGHT, STATURE, BODY SHAPE AND POSITION ON THE SEAT CUSHION....
NHTSA Investigations for the 2008 KIA SORENTO
NHTSA has opened 2 investigations into potential safety defects in the 2008 KIA SORENTO.
Other Model Years of the KIA SORENTO
- 2003 KIA SORENTO — 421 complaints
- 2004 KIA SORENTO — 341 complaints
- 2005 KIA SORENTO — 457 complaints
- 2006 KIA SORENTO — 382 complaints
- 2007 KIA SORENTO — 224 complaints
- 2008 KIA SORENTO (current)
- 2009 KIA SORENTO — 79 complaints
- 2010 KIA SORENTO — 3 complaints
- 2011 KIA SORENTO — 2,068 complaints
- 2012 KIA SORENTO — 1,194 complaints
- 2013 KIA SORENTO — 1,283 complaints
Other KIA Models
- KIA OPTIMA — 10,045 total complaints
- KIA SOUL — 7,147 total complaints
- KIA SPORTAGE — 6,540 total complaints
- KIA FORTE — 3,450 total complaints
- KIA SEDONA — 3,334 total complaints
- KIA SEPHIA — 3,080 total complaints
- KIA TELLURIDE — 2,109 total complaints
- KIA RIO — 1,784 total complaints