10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
79,458 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Kia Sorento miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2008 Kia Sorento Owner Comments

problem #12

Nov 012021

Sorento

  • 181,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2008 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle a burning odor and smoke were present inside the cabin of the vehicle. Also, the engine had stalled while driving and the vehicle would not properly accelerate while driving on inclined roads. The cause of the failures was not yet determined. The contact indicated that the failures began after the vehicle was serviced under the NHTSA Campaign Number: 20v088000 (Electrical System, service brakes) which involved a fire hazard. The local dealer was informed of the failures. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 181,000.

- Kingwood, WV, USA

problem #11

Jun 192021

Sorento 6-cyl

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V088000 (Electrical System, Service Brakes, Hydraulic), and the vehicle was taken to the local dealer for the recall repair. The contact stated that the dealer-installed a fuse box assembly to prevent the ABS from overheating while performing the recall repair. Two days later while the contact was traveling the vehicle went into limp mode causing the vehicle to drive only in 2nd gear. The contact took the vehicle to another local dealer; Jones Kia (2001 Belair Rd Fallston, MD 21047, (410) 879-6400) who inspected the vehicle and determined that the ABS module was damaged and need to be replaced. The local dealer replaced ABS module and the vehicle was finally repaired on 07/14/21. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.

- Calhan, CO, USA

problem #10

Jun 102021

Sorento

  • miles
I pulled into my driveway and the car shut off and I heard a pop, never had an issue before this. Upon getting out I noticed smoke and asked my neighbor to help me open the hood. Upon opening the hood we noticed a fire in the passenger side of the engine and called 911. The entire car was engulfed in flames within minutes of me getting out of the vehicle, luckily I made it out but what if I had not? I am mentally traumatized along with my family especially my young child. The car is sitting in my driveway still and it is a daily reminder of what happened. There is a recall SC186 on Kia Sorento year 2007-2009 that I was never informed about. Something needs to be done or I will be making sure this is a case that is handled in the court system.

- Mahopac , NY, USA

problem #9

Jan 242018

Sorento

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was readind down bearess ave in tampa fla ias I was riding my truck went into flames as soon as I left my home at the time not even a half miles the hilss county sheriff did let the hood up attempted to put the fire out the fire department my insurance did cover cause I ihad pip the tow truck came and put. Thefire out the cause was elactric battery burned up cables etc

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #8

Aug 042020

Sorento

  • 163,500 miles
My vehicle was experiencing several issues causing the check engine light to turn on. I took the vehicle for recall repair today and all trouble codes and issues resolved themselves. I believe the electrical issues also caused failure of the air conditioner compressor that has been replaced twice and immediately burned up. These issues have cost $500+ to attempt to repair and I believe Kia should be responsible due to faulty wiring. Kia denies the issue is related, however, resolution of many issues upon recall repair tell me they are wrong.

- El Paso, TX, USA

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problem #7

Jul 022020

Sorento 6-cyl

  • miles
This vehicle was brought in for repair for the published recall and now the vehicle does not work. The dealership tried to extort money to fix the vehicle by saying something was wrong with the starter after they could not start the car. The car worked fine before it was brought in and now elderly owners are without transportation.

- Round Rock, TX, USA

problem #6

Apr 082020

Sorento 6-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Received interim notice from Kia dated 4/8/2020 that the hecu assembly controlling the anti-lock brake system is defective, and that it can cause an electrical short circuit fire if "moisture" enters the hecu, even if the vehicle is turned off and parked. My local Kia dealer has not received the required parts to correct the problem. It is nerve wrecking while I'm driving, parking outside and not knowing when this will be resolved. This is my only vehicle!!! I have contacted Kia and all they explain is that they are working on the remedy but that parts are not yet available. Please provide update as to when Kia will be resolving this problem. Thank you!!!

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #5

Jul 252018

Sorento

  • 135,000 miles
The electronical parts of the ignition switch went out at the same time the battery and the starter did. Then on top of my ESC randomly coming on and every time this has happened it made it to where I couldn't go above 5 miles have to turn the car off and then restart it multiple times just so I can dive home this has been happening since I have had he vehicle November 2016

- Marble Falls, TX, USA

problem #4

Sep 012015

Sorento

  • 70,000 miles
I've owned this vehicle for less than a year and have observed several affected parts that present significant safety issues and substantial concerns to my overall welfare. Most alarming is the vehicle loses power during operation either in and inability to accelerate or the complete loss of power while merging or driving with the flow of traffic on the highways and intestates. The ESC and check engine lights comes on intermittently and remain on until engine is turned off. The dash panel lights flickers off/on when brake pedal is engaged. The back drivers brake light goes out sporadically. In the event that there is a need to cut the head lights or windshield wipers on while the car is in motion, there is a complete loss of power or acceleration and the car will slow to a complete stop in the midst of heavy traffic conditions. The passenger air bag light is consistently on. The cruise control function comes on while traveling on the highway without prompting and the panel keys are non responsive to off on commands. There is also a heavy shaking that occurs on the front end when traveling at speed of 55 mph or greater.

- Stone Mountain, GA, USA

problem #3

Aug 012015

Sorento

  • 99,000 miles
My granddaughter opened the rear psgr door on the drivers side and it broke off and the front passenger door is about to break off I took it to luther Kia in inver grove heights and they said that it would cost $322 to fix the broken handle. I took it to a body shop and they told me that in his 12 years working with cars that a door handle would break off like that and he also said that the front psgr door will have to be replaced also. And they would charge $368 for both doors. I talked to a lady at my job she just bought a 2013 Kia sorrento and she said that when she purchased it the door handles were missing and they were going to replace them for free since she just brought the car. But they sold her the car with 2 handles missing I feel that there is definitely something wrong with the the door handles on these cars. Have there been any other complaints about door handles missing. I also had to replace my rear brake light twice and my sister was following me and she said that my brake light would sometine go on then not. I was also stopped by a police officer about the same rear brake light and I got it fixed then month later it did the same thing.

- Saint Paul, MN, USA

problem #2

May 172015

Sorento

  • 115,000 miles
Vehicle lost power while driving 30mph since then it will start now but shuts off after a block's drive. Limped it home and have been reading on line this is not an uncommon problem. We've had it in for recall (front seatbelt light) and the ESC light illumination was dismissed at that time.

- South Bend, IN, USA

problem #1

May 292010

Sorento

  • 60,000 miles
Driving 75 mph on highway the ESC off light luminated and check engine light came on. Car lost acceleration and power (went from 75 mph to 10 mph instantly on hwy). Kia replaced the tps sensor and updated ECM module. One year later same event happened repeatedly. Dealer will not fix even with tech bulletin. Tried to contact Kia motors with no return response. At the current time the vehicle will not accelerate. Fastest it will go is 45mph even with acceleration pedal pushed all the way down. When you try to pull out or accelerate the vechicle looses power. Randomly the check engine and "ESC off" light will go off and car will accelerate but once over 65mph will lose all power has almosted caused several wrecks that would have caused an accident from behind. The lack of power is dangerous but not as dangerous as the vehicle losing power on the highway or while trying to pull out from a complete stop. Vehicle has lost power in intersection nearly causing side wreck. Searched on internet and tps seems to be common problem

- Little Rock , AR, USA

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