2008 Kia Sorento
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Brakes
Brakes leads by volume: 68 of 217 complaints (31%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more deaths (3) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 154 in 2007 to 217 in 2008.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | vs. 2008 Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,900–4,150 | 3,450–3,650 | 3,450–3,650 | 3,450–3,650 | |
| Combined MPG | 15–16 | 17–18 | 17–18 | 17–18 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 13–15 / 18–20 | 15–16 / 20–22 | 15–16 / 20–22 | 15–16 / 20–22 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 555–592 | 494–523 | 494–523 | 494–523 | |
| Complaints filed | 242 | 154 | 217 | 55 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 4 | 3 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 12 | 10 | 15 | 2 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 8 | 5 | 9 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 14 | 10 | 17 | 3 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2008 Kia Sorento have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2008 Kia Sorento?
Brakes: 68 of 217 NHTSA complaints (31%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Kia Sorento get?
EPA rates it 17–18 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2008 Kia Sorento?
EPA estimates $3,450–$3,650 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 3.3L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 16 mpg (high) | 22 mpg (high) | 18 mpg (high) | $3,450 (low) | 494 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 3.8L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 15 mpg (low) | 21 mpg | 17 mpg (low) | $3,650 (high) | 523 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 3.3L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 15 mpg (low) | 22 mpg (high) | 17 mpg (low) | $3,650 (high) | 523 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 3.8L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 15 mpg (low) | 20 mpg (low) | 17 mpg (low) | $3,650 (high) | 523 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 43 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 23 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical | 32 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 68 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 13 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 67 | 10 | 0 | 14 | 3 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 28 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 12 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · Campaign 20V088000 · Feb 18, 2020
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.
Consequence: 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:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH · Campaign 13V114000 · Apr 1, 2013
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 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.
Consequence: 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:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE · Campaign 11V473000 · Sep 14, 2011
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), 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.
Consequence: 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.