YearToAvoid

2008 Kia Sorento Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA has 23 owner complaints about transmission problems in the 2008 Kia Sorento, 11% of all 217 complaints for this model year. That is #13 highest transmission complaint count among 21 Sorento model years. These complaints report 1 crash. Median mileage at failure: 40,000 miles.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
23
11% of 217
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
40,000 mi
Related recalls
0

When 2008 Kia Sorento transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Feb 22, 2008, latest Jun 7, 2018.

2008 Kia Sorento transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per month2Feb 2008Jun 2011Apr 2012Sep 2013Jun 2014Sep 2014Sep 2016
23 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2008 to Jun 2018; peak Oct 2013 (2).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2008 Kia Sorento

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Sorento model year

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

  1. 200538 (12%)
  2. 200635 (14%)
  3. 200720 (13%)
  4. 200823 (11%)
  5. 20099 (16%)
  6. 20100 (0%)
  7. 2011265 (17%)
  8. 201255 (6%)
  9. 201369 (7%)
  10. 201471 (7%)
  11. 201542 (6%)
  12. 2016125 (10%)
  13. 201737 (5%)
  14. 20189 (4%)
  15. 201951 (12%)
  16. 202018 (13%)
  17. 2021137 (55%)
  18. 202264 (34%)
  19. 202320 (17%)
  20. 20244 (10%)
  21. 202519 (26%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Kia Sorento have transmission problems?
NHTSA has 23 owner complaints about the transmission in the 2008 Kia Sorento, 11% of all complaints for this model year, including 1 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 40,000 miles.
Which Kia Sorento year has the most transmission complaints?
The 2011 Kia Sorento has the most transmission complaints (265), compared with 23 for the 2008.
Is there a transmission recall for the 2008 Kia Sorento?
No NHTSA recall campaign for the 2008 Kia Sorento is classified under transmission & powertrain. 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.