YearToAvoid

2008 Kia Sorento Engine Problems

NHTSA has 66 owner complaints about engine problems in the 2008 Kia Sorento, 30% of all 217 complaints for this model year. That is #14 highest engine complaint count among 21 Sorento model years. These complaints report 3 crashes, 4 fires, and 2 injuries. Median mileage at failure: 63,000 miles.

Engine complaints
66
30% of 217
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
2
Median mileage
63,000 mi
Related recalls
0

When 2008 Kia Sorento engine complaints were filed

First complaint Dec 10, 2008, latest Feb 22, 2026.

2008 Kia Sorento engine complaints: complaints filed per month5Dec 2008Aug 2011Aug 2012Aug 2013Feb 2015Jun 2016Jan 2018Jun 2020
66 complaints filed with NHTSA from Dec 2008 to Feb 2026; peak Sep 2013 (5).

Engine recalls for the 2008 Kia Sorento

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Sorento model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 2005111 (36%)
  2. 200690 (37%)
  3. 200721 (14%)
  4. 200866 (30%)
  5. 20099 (16%)
  6. 20101 (33%)
  7. 2011359 (24%)
  8. 2012490 (56%)
  9. 2013521 (53%)
  10. 2014422 (43%)
  11. 2015377 (50%)
  12. 2016748 (60%)
  13. 2017414 (51%)
  14. 2018115 (45%)
  15. 2019176 (41%)
  16. 202069 (51%)
  17. 202174 (30%)
  18. 202263 (33%)
  19. 202341 (34%)
  20. 20246 (15%)
  21. 202524 (32%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Kia Sorento have engine problems?
NHTSA has 66 owner complaints about the engine in the 2008 Kia Sorento, 30% of all complaints for this model year, including 3 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 63,000 miles.
Which Kia Sorento year has the most engine complaints?
The 2016 Kia Sorento has the most engine complaints (748), compared with 66 for the 2008.
Is there a engine recall for the 2008 Kia Sorento?
No NHTSA recall campaign for the 2008 Kia Sorento is classified under engine. Complaints alone do not trigger a recall; check the full recall list and your VIN.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.