2008 Kia Sorento problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (39) · Vehicle Speed Control (28) · Engine (18)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Kia Sorento model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
178 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Electrical System 2020-02-14 · campaign 20V088000 · 228,829 vehicles
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.
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.
Fix: 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.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch 2013-04-01 · campaign 13V114000 · 980,377 vehicles
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 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 20
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.
Fix: 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.
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/Control Module-Inactive 2011-09-07 · campaign 11V473000 · 10,631 vehicles
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 FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THERE IS A CHILD RESTRAINT IN THAT SEAT OR THE SEAT IS NOT OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE'S OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS),
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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (18)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure 2021-09-13 · TSB_BOD055_R1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: information for headlamp condensation and moisture - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. new/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. this bulletin provides information relating to some kia models tha
Equipment 2018-10-19 · PS067_R1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
pitstop: cylinder head steel ball inspection and installation - this pitstop provides information regarding the inspection and installation of the steel sealing ball on: * 3.3l & 3.8l lambda engines for 2007-2008my sorento (bl), * 2.0l nu engines for 2010-2019my soul (am, ps), and * 1.8l & 2.0l nu e
Engine And Engine Cooling 2018-03-02 · PS539 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
pitstop - engine component re-use guidelines - in general, parts and components removed during engine repairs should be considered serviceable, and should be thoroughly cleaned and transferred to the new engine.
Equipment:mechanical 2017-01-18 · TSB-GEN085R1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
tsb: mandatory replacement of locking/security hardware - by design, certain fasteners, which are designed to lock into place once fully attached, are utilized in various kia models and are strictly intended for ?one time use.? some examples are: axle shaft nuts with stake collar, cotter pins, washe
Latches/Locks/Linkages 2016-11-04 · TSB-GEN085 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
tsb: mandatory replacement of locking/security hardware - by design, certain fasteners utilized in various kia models are strictly intended for ?one time use?. though not limited to the following, some examples are: axle shaft nuts with stake collar, cotter pins, washers with locking tabs and other
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility 2016-04-04 · PS443 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
tsb - use of aftermarket usb charging cables in usb/12v ports - this article provides information regarding the use of usb ports and 12v power outlets to connect/charge mobile phones. customers may experience issues with their head units that may be related to the use of aftermarket usb charging cab
Showing the 6 most recent of 18 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-07-29 · Service Brakes“their brake lights are not working even when stopped during stopped traffic there is no indication of them braking…”
2026-07-28 · Service Brakes“i took my car to a mechanic. said abs control module failed. this is a safety issue and should be replaced. brakes are not stopping as well as they should should and don't vibration while going down a steep incline. had to push really hard for the brakes to stop. just put me and my family at risk. no warning lights. during testing by the mechanic …”
2026-02-22 · Structure:body · 🔥 fire“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 …”
2026-02-19 · Service Brakes“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...…”
2024-08-02 · Air Bags · 201,000 mi“the contact owns a 2008 kia sorrento. the contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the passenger’s side air bag warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. the contact stated that the failure also occurred with the driver's side air bag. the contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. the vehicle was …”
2024-08-02 · Service Brakes“the abs brakes in slippery/snowy/icy when pressed hard will make a noise and feel in the brake pedal that will be like a warning that they are going to lock up and you will go sliding. one time i went sliding into an intersection because this happened with the abs brakes. the abs light did not come on nor the ecs light because i was in 4x4. it s…”
2023-03-10 · Service Brakes“i have to push the brake pedal almost to the floor to stop the car. this vehicle has been like this for quite some time now .it's not master cylinder as that has been looked at serval times.i just don't know if the car brakes just won't work one day.i find this to be a huge safety issue.there was a class action suit for a defect with abs control mo…”
2022-10-19 · Service Brakes · 129,000 mi“the contact owns a 2008 kia sorento. the contact stated upon reversing out of his garage, the brake pedal was depressed and emitted an abnormal sound. the abs and the electronic stability control warning lights were illuminated. the vehicle was towed to the dealer where the recall repair of nhtsa campaign number: 13v114000 (exterior lighting) was c…”
2022-07-14 · Service Brakes“i bought my sorento used and the airbag light is lit on the front dash in both where the guages are and under the stereo. it doesnt matter if someone is in the seat or not. i found that there was a recall years ago so when i called kia they told me that my vehicle had been repaired and i told them it must not have been or the repair didnt work. the…”
2022-06-15 · Engine“run away throttle, then part throttle, then stalls. very unsafe. nhtsa action# dp21003 problem comes and goes regularly…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.