2008 Kia Sorento Problems

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 not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact had researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V473000 (Air Bags). The failure mileage was approximately 201,000.

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. They then told me the date of repair. Crazy thing is they were saying it had been repaired a year before the recall was announced. I said really. Knowing Kia aint gonna pay for a repair that hadnt been part of a recall yet. Now with the newest recall its saying the brakelights might not come on when applied. But with my Sorento the brakelights wont turn off. No matter what you do even when you take the key out and lock the doors, the brakelights remain on. Right when this started the ESC OFF light on the dash came on. The brakelights stayed on so much it apparently fried my battery. I got another battery and replaced the brakelight switch and started it up and it immediately wont idle correctly. It had idle fine before the brakelight issue.

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 diagnosis when it clearly keeps shutting down the vehicle and the esc off light is on. I even replaced the accelerator pedal assembly $180 and it did not fix the problem please help. Also this has been an on going issue since August 2020 and even after running diagnostic on it. I keep getting the run around from everyone stating a different issue each time.

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

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 December 26, 2025, and was waiting for Kia decision before further action

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...

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 December 26, 2025, and was waiting for Kia decision before further action

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...

Their brake lights are NOT working even when stopped during stopped traffic there is no indication of them braking

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 he noticed the car shifts to the side when putting on the brakes.

I STARTED MY 2008 KIA SORENTO EX WHEN I PUT IT IN REVERSE ALL OF A SUDDEN IT MAKES A LOUD BUMP NOISE AND WITH PRESSURE ON THE BRAKES IT JUMPS HARD IN REVERSE I LOOK AND SEE MY ESC LIGHT CAME ON AND I COULD NOT ACCELERATE, MY VEHICLE IN FACT SLOWED DOWN TERRIBLY. I HAVE NOTICED THAT IF I SHUT MY CAR OFF THEN TURN IT BACK ON SOMETIMES THIS WILL TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM FOR A SHORT TIME. IT LOOKS LIKE THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES DURING HOT DAYS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING WITH MY KIDS IN THE BACKSEAT. IF MY CAR SLOWS WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY I COULD END UP CAUSING QUITE AN ACCIDENT NOT TO MENTION HURTING MYSELF OR MY FAMILY THAT IS IN THE VEHICLE. MILEAGE ON MY VEHICLE AT THE TIME WAS APPROXIMATELY 88000 MILES.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE STEERING BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 126,000.

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 completed; however, the dealer informed the contact that the failure persisted, and he needed to pay a diagnostic fee to determine the cause of the failure. The contact stated that the recall remedy failed to correct the safety failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.

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

A MARCH 2010 TECHNICAL BULLETIN ISSUED FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL YEAR VEHICLE (TSB-023) OF FAULTY REAR DIFFERENTIAL. A MECHANIC AT DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME MY MAKE AND MODEL YEAR CAR HAS THIS PROBLEM, AND MADE ME AWARE OF THE MARCH 2010 TSB- 023. MECHANIC STATED MY WHEELS IN THE REAR WILL BECOME LOUDER THAN THE CURRENT NOISE I HAVE, THE WHEELS WILL GRIND, I WILL FEEL REAR VIBRATION. WITH 14 OTHER KIA SORENTO OWNERS WITH THIS SAME ISSUE, REPORTED REAR WHEELS LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL, AND SAW REAR WHEEL IN REAR WINDOW MOVING AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. I PUCHASED VEHICLE IN 2016 WITH LOUD NOISE IN REAR THINKING IT WAS TYPES OF TIRES ON VEHICLE. I KNOW NOTHING WHAT A TSB IS. WHY DEALER KNEW OF THIS BUT NEVER SERVICED REAR DIFFERENTIAL? I HAVE 13000.00 AUTO LOAN AND NEED ALMOST 2000.00 TO REPAIR THIS ON A 2008 VEHICLE. TOYOTA HAS RECALLS FOR BAD REAR DIFFERENTIALS. HOW DOES KIA NOT HAVE TO RECALL ON THIS? THIS ISSUE DEALER NEVER CORRECTED SO THAT CONSUMER BECOME RESPONSIBLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUSPENSION WAS UNSTABLE AT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONTROL ARMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE NEAR THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CAME TO THE LOCATION AND STATED THAT THE FRONT WHEEL SUSPENSION FAILED AND THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AXLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO SERVICE CAMPAIGN OR RECALL TO ADDRESS THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000.

MY CHECK ENGINE GOES ON AND OFF WHENEVER. PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT GROUT IT TO AUTOZONE FOR CHECK AND IT STATED SENSORS. MY SHOP SAYS THEY FIX IT AND IT CONTINUES I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS NOW

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE STEERING BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 126,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED EVEN WHEN SOMEONE WAS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SEAT CUSHION THREE TIMES BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE DEALER SCANNED THE SENSOR BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER CLEARED THE MEMORY AND THE LIGHT TURNED OFF FOR TWO MONTHS BUT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000. UPDATED 5/2/11 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT THE AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUES TO ILLUMINATE. UPDATED 05/11/11

MICHELIN TIRE ON VEHICLE COMPLETELY BLEW OUT THAT ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH, TIRE TORE COMPLETELY AROUND THE OUTER PART. VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 70 MPH ON INTERSTATE WHEN BLOWOUT OCCURRED. *TR

EXITING A STRIP CENTER TO CROSS 2 LANES OF TRAFFIC AND MAKE A LEFT TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC, I ACCELERATED IN A SAFE GAP ONLY TO FIND MY VEHICLE HAD ALMOST NO ACCELERATION. I WAS NEARLY IN A SIDE IMPACT COLLISION IF NOT FOR THE EXCELLENT AWARENESS AND REACTION OF THE OTHERS ON THE ROAD. I PULLED IMMEDIATELY INTO A PARKING LOT TO TRY TO FIND OUT WHAT HAD HAPPEN. AT THIS TIME MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE ESC OFF LIGHT WERE ON. THEY WERE NOT WENT I STARTED THE TRIP FROM MY HOUSE ABOUT 1 MILE AWAY. I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED AND THE ESC OFF LIGHT WAS NO LONGER THERE, BUT THE CHECK ENGINE WAS. THE NORMAL POWER HAD BEEN RESTORED BACK TO MY CAR. I DROVE TO AN AUTO PARTS SHOP AND HAD THEM PULL CODES ON THE VEHICLE. IT RETURNED 2 CODES: 1. P2138 (THROTTLE/PEDAL POSITION SENSOR/SWITCH "D"/"E" VOLTAGE CORRELATION, 2. P2106 (THROTTLE ACTUATOR CONTROL SYSTEM - FORCED LIMITED POWER). I ASKED THEM TO CLEAR THE CODES AND THEY DID. MY DRIVE HOME TRIGGERED NO LIGHTS. AFTER A MONTH THE SAME ISSUE HAPPENED AND I CLEARED THE CODES ONCE AGAIN. IT NOW HAPPENS 6 MONTHS TO YEAR MOSTLY WHEN THE TEMPERATURE GET REALLY WAR (USUALLY JULY). I GOT ON THE INTERNET TO RESEARCH THE ISSUE AND WAS AMAZED TO FIND HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. ALL WERE THE SAME STORY OF SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED LOSS OF POWER, BOTH LIGHTS ON, NEAR ACCIDENTS, FEAR FOR ONE'S SAFETY. LITERALLY HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS. THERE WERE MANY POSTS OF THOSE THAT WENT TO DEALER OR CALLED KIA WITH EITHER EXORBITANT REPAIR COSTS, LACK OF CONCERN, AND NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE ISSUE. FOR MOST, THE PROBLEM WAS NEVER COMPLETELY SOLVED WITH DEALER REPAIRS AND INTERMITTENTLY HAPPENS. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND PEOPLE WILL DIE, OR MOST LIKELY ALREADY HAVE. TOO MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM NOT TO HAVE A RECALL FOR KIA OWNERS AND THEIR CHILDREN'S SAFETY. PLEASE HELP.

I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH MY 2008 KIA, FIRST IT WAS THE FRONT ROTORS REPLACED THREE TIMES WITHIN 3 MOS. AFTER MULTIPLE DIAGNOSES TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD ACCELERATION PROBLEMS, I JUST PUT 800.00 IN NEW ROTORS AND TIRES AND FUEL/AIR INDUCTION SERVICES. THEN THE OTHER DAY DRIVING 45 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE, MAKING A THUD THUD THUD NOISE IN THE FRONT END, FELT LIKE I HAD A FLAT TIRE, I PULLED OVER, NO FLAT TIRES. I STARTED DRIVING AGAIN AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN, WORSE THAN THE FIRST TIME IT SOUNDED LIKE A HELICOPTER IN MY VEHICLE AND IT VIBRATED AND WHILE SLOWLY DRIVING IT FELT LIKE IT WAS GLIDING. I WAS AFRAID THE WHEELS WERE GOING TO FALL OFF, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY AND THEY CALLED ME LATER WITH THE DIAGNOSES OF A CARRIER BEARING COMING APART, THE CARRIER BEARINGS ARE NOT ABLE TO BE REPLACED ALONE, THE WHOLE DRIVE SHAFT HAS TO BE REPLACED AS IN THIS MODEL IT IS ALL ONE PIECE. TO REPLACE THE DRIVE SHAFT IT WILL COST $1100.00 TO REPLACE. I DECLINED THE REPAIRS I CAN NOT AFFORD THAT, ESPECIALLY AFTER ALL THE MONEY I HAVE HAD TO INVEST IN THIS VEHICLE JUST TO KEEP IT RUNNING. I FEEL KIA SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS, I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER KIA. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME IN THIS MATTER. *TR

MY 2008 KIA SORENTO IS EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT TRANSMISSION LUNGING. THERE IS ONLY 40,000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE DOES THIS EVERY DAY, EXCEPT WHEN I TAKE IT INTO THE DEALER. ONCE I DO TAKE IT IN TO THE DEALER, THEY SAY THAT NOTHING IS WRONG AND THAT THEY CANNOT GET THE CAR TO DO THE SAME THING I DO. I BELIEVE THAT NO DIAGNOSTICS WERE PERFORMED, AND I KNOW THAT A PROPER ROAD TEST WAS NOT PERFORMED. I HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE IN 2 TIMES WITHIN THE LAST MONTH AND NO SOLUTION HAS BEEN DETERMINED. *TR

TRANSMISSION - VEHICLE TURNS ON, WHEN PLACED IN REVERSE A LOUD/HARD JOLT OCCURS. WHEN PLACED IN DRIVE, VEHICLE WILL HARDLY MOVE WITHOUT PRESSING ALL THE WAY DOWN ON THE GAS PEDAL. ENGINE ROARS AND HARDLY MOVES FORWARD. HAPPENED ON TWO OCCASIONS IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS. WAS RECENTLY FIXED TWO MONTHS AGO BUT HAPPENED AGAIN. *LN

FOR YEARS NOW I HAVE REPLACED LIGHTS ON THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE REPLACED HEADLIGHTS AT LEAST 15 TIMES AND BRAKE LIGHTS ABOUT 20 TIMES. ON AT LEAST 5 OCCASIONS ALL LIGHTS BURNED OUT AT ONCE.. THE FUSES AND RELAYS HAVE NEVER BEEN BAD BECAUSE WHEN I REPLACE THE LIGHTS THEY WORK.SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND I HAVE KNOWN MANY OTHER KIA OWNERS TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM BUT THE DEALERSHIP SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG. I CAN'T AFFORD ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

I HAVE A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE LOW HEADLIGHTS MAKE A CIRCLE IN FRONT OF MY CAR. THE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATE THE STREET AND I CAN SEE THE CIRCUMFERENCE. BEYOND THE LIGHT, IT IS PURE DARKNESS. IS THERE A RECALL ON THE HEADLIGHT RANGE? *TR

WHENEVER WEATHER IS MOIST OR RAINY THE ENGINE HAS BOGGED DOWN WHILE DRIVING AND HAS NO POWER EVEN WITH GAS PEDDLE PRESSED TO FLOOR. THIS HAS LEFT US STRANDED TWICE NOW BUT WHEN TAKEN TO BE CHECKED THEY CAN'T DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. ALSO TPMS IS ALWAYS ON EVEN THOUGH TIRE PRESSURES HAVE BEEN CHECKED AND IT WILL NOT GO OFF. HAS BEEN THIS WAY FOR OVER 1 1/2 YEARS NOW WITH NO EXPLANATION.

WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD, CAR WAS BEARLY PULLING. NOTICED SMOKE ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF CAR. STOPPED AND CHECKED UNDER HOOD AND SAW NOTHING. WALKED AROUND CAR AND FLAMES WERE COMING OUT OF WHEEL AREA. HAD CAR TOWED. HAD NEW CALIPER, ROTOR, AND BRAKE PADS PUT ON. DROVE ABOUT A WEEK. AND BEGAN DOING THE SAME THING. HAD CAR TOWED TO MECHANIC SHOP, 4TH DAY THERE THE BRAKES WENT TOTALLY OUT. CAR CRASHED THROUGH THE DOOR OF SHOP AND HIT POLE. CAR IN STILL AT BODY SHOP SOME PARTS WERE HARD TO FIND. STILL WILL HAVE TO GET BRAKES FIXED WHEN I GET CAR THIS WEEK. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT MY CAR SINCE JANUARY 2013. THIS IS MARCH 27TH 2013. *TR

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 December 26, 2025, and was waiting for Kia decision before further action

THIS COMPLAINT IS ON A KIA SORENTO 2008 DOOR LOCKS. I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW IN 2009, MY DRIVER'S DOOR WOULDN'T NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE, I HAD THE DOOR HANDLE CHANGED WHICH COST ME $200.00. NOW MY PASSENGER BACK LEFT DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE AND WITH TIME I'M SURE THE OTHER 2 LEFT WILL NEED REPAIR. HOW CAN KIA SAY, "THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE THEREFORE IT IS NOT A RECALL". THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN I HAVE PASSENGERS IN THE BACK AND AN ACCIDENT OCCURS AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO GET OUT TO SAFETY. I HAVE A 4 DOOR CAR AND AFRAID TO DRIVE ANYONE AS PASSENGERS DUE TO THEIR SAFETY. FROM MY ONLINE RESEARCH THIS HAS BEEN AN OCCURRING PROBLEMS WITH KIA AND I'M GLAD THERE HAS BEEN NO DEATHS RESULTING FROM IT. BUT IF THIS PROBLEM IS NOT FIX AND KIA DOESN'T TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR A DEFECTED PARTS THERE WILL MOST LIKELY BE DEATH RESULTING FROM IT IN THE FUTURE. PLEASE HELP US OUT AND LET THIS BECOME A RECALL.

AUTO HAS A DASHBOARD ALERT WHEN SOMEONE SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE WARNING LIGHT GOES OUT AND THERE BY ARMING THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. IF THIS LIGHT DOESN'T GO OUT, THE AIRBAG SYSTEM ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WILL NOT ACTIVATE. I WENT TO THE KIA DEALER TO CONFIRM THIS IS WHAT WOULD HAPPEN. HE SAID IF THE LIGHT STAYS ON, THE SYSTEM WILL NOT ACTIVATE. HE STATED THAT IT WAS BECOMING A PROBLEM IN MY MODEL OF KIA. IT IS APPROXIMATELY $2,000.00 TO REPAIR. TO ME THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN WORTHY OF FURTHER ACTION BY YOUR AGENCY. *TR

DASH LIGHTING PROBLEM ON 2008B KIA SORENTO. WHEN CONTROL KNOB ON TURN SIGNAL SWITCH IS ROTATED FOR NIGHT LIGHTING OF DASH LIGHTS, THE DASH LIGHTS GO OUT, BLOWING A FUSE. POSSIBLE SHORT IS SYSTEM SOMEWHERE. UNABLE TO TRACE AT CANADIAN KIA DEALERSHIP WITHOUT PAYING $90.00/HR FEE WHICH COULD TAKE MANY HOURS. *TR

ESC OFF LIGHT COMES ON, SUDDEN LOSS OF ACCELERATION, HEAD LIGHTS CONSTANTLY NEEDING TO BE CHANGED. MIDDLE SEAT BELT IN BACK MALFUNCTIONS BY NOT UNLOCKING AT TIMES. *TR