Recalls ·2008 Kia Sorento 4WD

2008 Kia Sorento 4WD recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2008 Kia Sorento 4WD; the most frequently affected component is electrical system. Owners filed 217 complaints, most often about electrical system. Among the 9 model years of this model in the database, 2008 ranks #6 for number of recalls.

Recalls3
Complaints217
Crashes reported4in stored complaints
Fires reported4in stored complaints

Check your own vehicle by VIN at NHTSA →

Recalls (3)

Electrical systemCampaign 20V088000 · 14 Feb 2020

Problem: 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.

Remedy: 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 — SwitchCampaign 13V114000 · 01 Apr 2013

Problem: 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 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.

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.

Remedy: 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 — Sensor/control module-inactiveCampaign 11V473000 · 07 Sep 2011

Problem: 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), which classifies the occupant in the front passenger seat, may misclassify an adult passenger as a child or child seat and improperly turn off the passenger side air bag. When the air bag is deactivated the "passenger air bag off" light will illuminate on the center instrument panel.

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.

Remedy: 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.

What owners complain about

Share of the 40 most recent complaints stored for this model year, by component. Owners can list more than one component.

Electrical system16 · 40%
Air bags14 · 35%
Service brakes13 · 32%
Engine10 · 25%
Unknown or other7 · 18%
Hydraulic6 · 15%
Vehicle speed control2 · 5%
Exterior lighting2 · 5%

When complaints were filed

20191
202020
20218
20224
20231
20242
20264

From owner complaints

Even after having the ESC and relay box replaced the vehicle has become much worse. It's shuts down my accelerator pedal and won't move I have to shut it off completely for it to reset its extremely unsafe and is now affecting my job. And the ability to take car of my son. And Kia wants to charge me $200 plus for a…

Electrical system · Dec 2021 · NHTSA complaint record

Driver side airbag light remains on, passenger side seems operational. In motion on highway, during the same trip interior lights, except manual push lights and dashboard, do not automatically turn on

Exterior lighting · Nov 2020 · NHTSA complaint record

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 kia sorento. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 20v088000 (electrical system, service brakes, hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact called gossett kia south (2680 mt moriah rd, memphis, tn 38115;(901) 328-8173) where it…

Service brakes · Nov 2020 · NHTSA complaint record

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…

Unknown or other · Sep 2021 · NHTSA complaint record

How this year compares

Recalls per model year for this model.

Related pages

Source

Recall and complaint records from the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). A recall listed here may not apply to every vehicle of this model year — always check your VIN with NHTSA or a dealer.