2008 Kia Sorento Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2008 Kia Sorento has a complaint index of 35, ranking 14th worst among 21 model years, and carries a Good verdict relative to other Sorento years. NHTSA lists 217 complaints, 3 recalls, and top problem areas in brakes, airbags, and engine.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 35/100
- #14 of 21 Sorento years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 217
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 15
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 9
- Injuries
- 17
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 17
- 15 city / 21.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 17 / 3
Top 2008 Kia Sorento problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes68 (31%)
- Airbags66 (30%)
- Engine66 (30%)
- Electrical System41 (19%)
- Transmission & Powertrain23 (11%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires13 (6%)
- Other12 (6%)
- Fuel System5 (2%)
- Steering5 (2%)
- Structure & Body3 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report sudden unintended surges while parking or driving at low speeds, sometimes leading to collisions.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during crashes, including hydroplaning and head-on collisions, at highway speeds like 55 mph.
- Brake pedals reportedly failed to stop the vehicle or caused sudden surges of speed when applied around 35 mph, leading to rear-end and multi-vehicle crashes.
- Some owners describe smoke and flames coming from the wheel area after brake caliper, rotor, and pad replacements.
- Drivers report violent rocking or shuddering at higher speeds when easing off the gas, with some suspecting a differential problem.
- Owners note airbag warning lights staying on without the airbags deploying during actual collisions, including a Takata-related incident.
2008 Kia Sorento recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V088000Feb 14, 2020Brakes228,829 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
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.
Risk: 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, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC186.
- NHTSA 13V114000Apr 1, 2013Electrical System980,377 vehicles
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
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 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Risk: 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 campaign number is SC098.
- NHTSA 11V473000Sep 7, 2011Airbags10,631 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive
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 front passenger seat, there is a child restraint in that seat or the seat is not occupied. The vehicle's occupant classification system (ocs), which classifies the occupant in the front passenger seat, may misclassify an adult passenger as a child or child seat and improperly turn off the passenger side air bag. When the air bag is deactivated the "passenger air bag off" light will illuminate on the center instrument panel.
Risk: 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.
2008 Kia Sorento fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15 MPG
- Highway
- 21.5 MPG
- Combined
- 17 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,800
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2008 compared with other Sorento years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Kia Sorento reliable?
- Among Sorento model years, 2008 ranks 14th worst out of 21 with a complaint index of 35, earning a Good verdict relative to other years. NHTSA lists 217 complaints and 3 recalls for this year.
- What are the biggest problems with the 2008 Kia Sorento?
- The top reported problem areas are brakes (68 complaints, 31%), airbags (66 complaints, 30%), and engine (66 complaints, 30%), based on NHTSA data.
- Does the 2008 Kia Sorento have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2008 Sorento covering brakes (ABS module moisture intrusion), electrical system wiring, and an airbag control module issue affecting the front passenger air bag.
- How does the 2008 Sorento compare to later Sorento years like 2011-2016?
- The 2008 model has a much lower complaint index (35) than 2011 (100), 2012 (90), 2013 (80), 2014 (85), and 2016 (95), all of which carry Avoid verdicts.
- At what mileage do 2008 Sorento problems typically show up?
- Median mileage at failure across all reported issues is 57,026.5 miles, with brake complaints centered around 53,460 miles and airbag complaints around 42,000 miles.