2008 Kia Sportage problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (15) · Electrical System (14) · Structure:body (11)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Kia Sportage model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
64 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/Module 2022-10-24 · campaign 22V800000 · 71,704 vehicles ⚠ PARK OUTSIDE
Defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2008-2009 Sportage vehicles previously recalled under recall 16V-815. An engine compartment fire originating from around the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may occur while parked or driving.
Risk: A fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures and other vehicles until the recall repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and replace the HECU, its wiring harness, and its fuses, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 22, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC253.
Electrical System:wiring 2016-11-10 · campaign 16V815000 · 71,704 vehicles
Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 Kia Sportage vehicles manufactured August 9, 2007, to May 13, 2009. The wire harness cover on the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may be improperly sealed allowing water to get onto the HECU circuit board. If the water is contaminated with salt, such as could occur from melted snow, the wire harness connector pins may corrode and the circuit board may short circuit.
Risk: If the HECU short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the connector pins for corrosion, if no corrosion is found, the connector cover will be replaced. If corrosion is present, the dealer will replace the HECU assembly and the connector cover, free of charge. The recall began on November 28, 2016. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC138.
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.
Service bulletins (24)
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.
Power Train 2025-04-17 · TSB_TRA046_R5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: transmission fluid application guide - 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 the correct transmission fluid ty
Power Train 2024-05-16 · TSB_TRA046_R4 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each kia model. a flush is required only when a transmission is replaced.
Power Train 2022-11-18 · TSB_TRA046_R3 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: transmission fluid application guide - this bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each kia model. a flush is required only when a transmission is replaced, refer to applicable vehicles in the chart
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
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
Showing the 6 most recent of 24 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-08-27 · Electronic Stability Control (Esc)“the contact owns a 2008 kia sportage. the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the message "esc off" was displayed and the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. the contact stated that the failure had been recurring intermittently. the vehicle was taken to the dealer and to several independent mechanics; however, the failure could…”
2024-07-23 · Engine · 🔥 fire“was parked and after driving to pick up please came back out and it was in flames …”
2024-06-24 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 117,000 mi“the contact owned a 2008 kia sportage. the contact stated while driving 40-45 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle was shuddering. additionally, the contact stated while driving on another occasion, the vehicle experienced brake failure, which nearly led to a crash. an unknown dealer was notified of the failure. the vehi…”
2024-04-19 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic“the contact owns a 2008 kia sportage. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 22v800000 (service brakes, hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. the local dealer was contacted. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the manufac…”
2024-02-22 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 123,000 mi“the contact owns a 2008 kia sportage. the contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the brakes locked up. the contact removed the fuses. the contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. while his daughter was driving, an abnormal dinging sound was detected. the contact changed the calipers and notic…”
2023-09-07 · Service Brakes“my abs module has my brakes locked up…”
2023-06-21 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan · 🔥 fire“the radiator fan component was smoking. the car is available at anytime for inspection. i definitely feared that the car was going to explode in front of my baby cousins and elderly aunt. the car has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealship or independent service center. it also has not been inpected by manufacturer or police, insurance. the…”
2023-04-26 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/Module · 140,000 mi“the contact owns a 2008 kia sportage. the contact stated that after driving at approximately 15 mph, the vehicle was shifted into reverse and the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond. the contact shifted the gear shifter several times and then drove for a short distance before the vehicle stalled. the check engine…”
2023-04-26 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic“the contact owns a 2008 kia sportage. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 22v800000 (service brakes, hydraulics); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. the vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle needed to remain in dealer possession since the vehicle failed a safety…”
2023-04-18 · Engine · 145,000 mi“the contact owns a 2008 kia sportage. the contact stated that there was an abnormal burning odor detected. the vehicle failed to drive forward or reverse as needed. additionally, the brakes seized. the check engine warning light was illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the abs hydraulic m…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.