2008 Kia Sportage Brakes Problems

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 vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact decided to total the vehicle. The vehicle was totaled. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.

NHTSA ID

11596177

Incident

Jun 24, 2022

Mileage

117,000 mi

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 manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11583995

Incident

Apr 19, 2024

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 noticed that the ABS box was stuck. The brake warning light was illuminated. The contact put the fuse back in the vehicle. Additionally, the vehicle was leaking brake fluid. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who stated that the brake pedal was soft and not to drive the vehicle. The dealer informed the contact that the parts were not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V800000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.

NHTSA ID

11573323

Incident

Jan 8, 2024

Mileage

123,000 mi

My ABS MODULE HAS MY BRAKES LOCKED UP

NHTSA ID

11543079

Incident

Feb 7, 2023

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 test related to the recall. After several failed attempts to reach the dealer, the contact was informed that the part needed to repair the recall was discontinued and that she could pick up the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified, and a case was filed. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was unavailable. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11519052

Incident

Mar 16, 2023

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 warning light was illuminated; the vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact stated that the ABS Hydraulic Control Unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed and determined that the ABS Hydraulic Control Unit needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.

NHTSA ID

11519022

Incident

Apr 19, 2023

Mileage

140,000 mi

The contact owns a 2008 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and unattended, the vehicle caught fire. The ABS warning light was illuminated before the failure. The fire department extinguished the fire. There were no reported injuries. A police report was filed under case number 22027268. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.

NHTSA ID

11479730

Incident

Aug 16, 2022

Mileage

112,000 mi

Smoke was pouring out from the passenger front side of the motor compartment. The fuses for the ABS (I think) were taken out so it would stop. I was a told a control module could have something to do with it.

NHTSA ID

11453298

Incident

Dec 18, 2021

WHILE DRIVING AT A CONTINUOUS SPEED OF 55MPH ON THE MAIN ROAD, THE ESC LIGHT RANDOMLY CAME ON AND THE CAR JOLTED INTO 1ST GEAR. I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE IT AND IT WAS TOWED BACK TO MY HOUSE. SINCE THEN, THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT STOPPING THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

11322464

Incident

Mar 5, 2020

Mileage

175,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING WHEN THE BRAKES WAS PRESSED THERE WAS A TERRIBLE NOISE AND NO BRAKES. THE GARAGE SAID THAT IT WAS THE ABS SYSTEM. THE BRAKE FLUID HAD LEAKED INTO THE ABS BOX AND SHORTED IT OUT. THEY WANTED 3100.00 DOLLARS TO FIX IT. I DONT HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY. PLEASE HELP BY GETTING KIA TO DO A RECALL. MY HUSBAND AND I WAS OK. PLEASE HELP BEFORE IT HAPPENS TO SOMEONE ELSE. I AM OUT OF A VEHICLE BECAUSE I CANNOT AFFORD TO GET IT FIXED AND IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. I TRIED TALKING TO KIA HEADQUARTERS THEY WERE NO HELP.

NHTSA ID

10924967

Incident

Oct 15, 2016

Mileage

79,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE IF THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V114000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.

NHTSA ID

10853815

Incident

Jan 15, 2016

Mileage

53,000 mi

KIA IS RIPPING PEOPLE OFF TO THE TUNE OF $1,700 TO $1,800 FOR THEIR FAULTY ABS BRAKE CONTROLLERS PLUS LABOR. IT IS A WIDELY KNOW PROBLEM THAT BRAKE FLUID SEEPS OUT OF THE BACK OF THIS UNIT ONTO THE CIRCUIT BOARD AND CAUSES A VARIETY OF SAFETY AND MECHANICAL ISSUES. A YEAR AND A HALF AGO I EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE ESC TRACTION LIGHT COMING ON, FOLLOWED BY A FLASHING 4X4 LIGHT AND THEN FINALLY A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE WORST PART ABOUT THIS IS THAT IT THEN SLAMS ITSELF INTO FIRST GEAR GOING DOWN THE ROAD! YES, YOU HEARD THAT CORRECTLY. THIS CAN HAPPEN VERY QUICKLY. KIA, YOU HAVE A SAFETY ISSUE! I REPLACED THE UNIT WITH A USED ONE FOR $350 PLUS INSTALLATION AND NOW IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM A YEAR AND A HALF LATER. THERE WERE TWO POSSIBLE CONTROLLER UNITS FOR THE 2008 SPORTAGE AND THEY LOOK IDENTICAL BUT ARE NOT INTERCHANGEABLE. THE OTHER ONE I CAN PURCHASE NEW, DIRECT FROM SOUTH KOREA AS AN OEM PART IN A KIA/HYUNDAI BOX FOR AROUND $500. BUT NOT THIS ONE, THEY KNOW THEY HAVE A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM AS THIS CAN UNEXPECTEDLY PULL YOU DOWN TO A CRAWL IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THEY ALSO HAVE KEPT THE PRICE EXTREMELY HIGH ON THIS UNIT TO MAXIMIZE PROFITS ON A SAFETY ITEM THEY REFUSE TO FIX. I'M LOOKING FOR ANOTHER USED UNIT AND THEN I'LL DUMP THIS LEMON.

NHTSA ID

10837581

Incident

Feb 15, 2016

Mileage

110,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE NOT RESPONDING WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V114000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN COMPLETED THE REPAIR BY ORDERING THE PART FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT WAS TO DETERMINE FROM THE MANUFACTURER WHEN THE VEHICLE COULD BE SCHEDULED FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

10824194

Incident

Sep 10, 2015

Mileage

96,000 mi

DUE TO DASHBOARD LIGHTS OF ABS, ESC, TRACTION CONTROL, ... I WAS TOLD THE HYDRAULIC ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, EST COST OF ... ABS PUMP AND MODULE AND THAT IT WOULD COST ME $2700 TO FIX.

NHTSA ID

10816785

Incident

Dec 28, 2015

Mileage

71,000 mi

BRAKE FLUID HAD LEAKED INTO THE ABS CONTROL MODULE DISABLING THE ABS, ESC AND BRAKES

NHTSA ID

10724424

Incident

Jun 9, 2015

HYDRAULIC MODULE ASSEMBLY NEEDED REPLACED-ABS,ESC,BRAKE LIGHTS ALL CAME ON. TOOK TO DEALER WHO STATED "BRAINS" OF THE ABS SYSTEM NEEDED REPLACED.VEHICLE ONLY HAS 32,200 MILES.

NHTSA ID

10721303

Incident

Mar 11, 2015

Mileage

32,200 mi

I PURCHASED MY 2008 KIA SPORTAGE BRAND NEW, I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF IT. CURRENTLY I HAVE 55,000 MILES ON IT, LAST WEEK THE ABS, PARKING BRAKE AND ESC LIGHTS CAME ON. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST $90.00. I WAS TOLD THE HYDRAULIC ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, EST COST OF $2,311.25 AND THAT MY CAR IS NOW UNSAFE TO DRIVE. WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND INFORMED ME THAT THIS WAS UNUSUAL. THEREFORE MY CONCERN IS SHOULD THIS BE A RECALL ITEM? *TR

NHTSA ID

10712130

Incident

Apr 21, 2015

Mileage

55,303 mi

MY SISTER IN LAW'S 08 KIA SPORTAGE EX HAD ALL THE DASH WARNING LIGHTS COME ON, THE CODE SHOWED P0501 WHEEL SPEED SENSOR MALFUNCTION. I REPLACED RT FRT SENSOR AND STILL SAME CODE. TOOK IT TO LOCAL SHOP AND THEY SAID SOMETHING IS SHORTED BECAUSE THEY CAN'T READ ALL THE LIGHTS ON. I CHECKED SOME FUSES BUT FOUND NONE BLOWN. IT SEEMED LIKE THE BRAKES WERE A LITTLE WEAK AND I DROVE IT FOR A TEST AND NOTICED IT WAS PULLING HARD TO THE RIGHT, THEN IT STARTED TO PULSE AS IF THE ABS WAS STUCK ON. I TURNED FOR HOME AND PARKED IT. NEXT DAY WENT TO TRY IT AGAIN AND IT WAS DEAD, I CHARGED BATTERY, THE DOOR LOCKS WERE CLICKING ON/OFF AND HORN BLOWING. I UNHOOKED BATTERY TERMINALS TO CHARGE BATTERY AND WHEN IT WAS FULLY CHARGED I HOOKED IT UP AND THE ABS MODULE ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF CAR WAS RUNNING AND GETTING HOT. LIKE SOME ONE ELSE ON THIS SITE, I'M SURE IT WOULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE BUT I PULLED THE BATTERY CABLES. AFTER LOOKING INTO PURCHASING THE MODULE I REALIZE WHY KIA HAS NOT RECALLED THIS PART, PRICE IS AROUND $1000 TO $1800 FOR THIS ABS MODULE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR SINCE YOU ARE DEALING WITH BRAKES AND ALSO AUTO FIRES. KIA NEEDS TO STEP IT UP AND RECALL THIS ISSUE. I HOPE OTHERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM ALSO PUT IN A COMPLAINT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10632998

Incident

Sep 11, 2014

Mileage

93,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT BEING PRESSED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V114000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) WAS PERFORMED BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

NHTSA ID

10577340

Incident

Jan 1, 2014

Mileage

48,000 mi

I HAVE HAD AN ONGOING SQUEAL/GRIND IN THE REAR LEFT. THEY DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS BRAKES AND I PAID A LOT OF MONEY FOR BRAKES WHICH I CHALLENGED GIVEN ONLY 45000 MILES. I STILL HAVE THE ISSUE AND OF COURSE CANT FIND A THING. I BELIEVE ITS THE CV JOINT OR AXLE. WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP. THIS CAR CANT BE THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS ISSUE. THANKS FOR ALLOWING ME TO POST THIS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10566310

Incident

Oct 1, 2013

Mileage

45,000 mi

I WAS IN THE CAR, PARKED IN A WENDYS PARKING LOT, ENGINE OFF, RADIO ON. THERE WAS A LOUD POP FOLLOWED BY SMOKE, A GENTLEMAN IN A TRUCK 3 SPACES AWAY HEARD IT AND SAW IT. WE GOT OUT TO LOOK AT IT AND THE SMOKE WAS INCREASING, I OPENED THE HOOD AND YOU COULD SEE FLAMES ABOUT 2 INCHES HIGH AROUND THE BOX MOUNTED INSIDE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, ON THE PASSENGER SIDE UP NEAR THE HEADLIGHTS AND OVER THE WHEEL WELL. WE SHUT IT AND WAITED FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, EVERYTHING INSIDE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT THAT COULD MELT DID MELT, ALL THE PAINT ON THE HOOD ETC, PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN OR SHUT WITHOUT NOISE AND AN EXTRA PUSH OR PULL. I AM NOT A MECHANIC BUT I AM PRETTY SURE THAT THE LITTLE BLACK BOX WAS THE ABS CONTROLLER. JUST LUCKY THAT I WASN'T DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE SEEN THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10511940

Incident

May 9, 2013

Mileage

147,500 mi

APPROXIMATELY, TWO WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE IN 01/2013, "ESC OFF," LIGHT CAME ON MULTIPLE TIMES AT VARIOUS SPEEDS INCLUDING VEHICLE START UP. I MADE SEVERAL CALLS TO PLACE OF PURCHASE REGARDING INTERMITTENT, "ESC OFF," LIGHT. PRESSING " ESC OFF," DASH BUTTON HAS NO EFFECT AND THE LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED. DEALER OF PURCHASE TOOK VEHICLE TO KIA SERVICE AND THE DIAGNOSTIC WAS TPMS LIGHT IS ON, ADVISE. AT NO TIME DID THE TPMS LIGHT EVER COME ON, NOR WAS IT REPORTED AS SUCH. VEHICLE WAS RETURNED WITH NO WORK DONE, AND PLACE OF PURCHASE WAS INFORMED THAT TIRE(S) WERE LOW. CURRENTLY, THE "ESC OFF," LIGHT IS STILL ILLUMINATING AND BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE FAILED. TIRE PRESSURE CHECK BY RECENT SERVICE (OIL CHANGE) WAS REPORTED AS NORMAL. ACCORDING TO KIA CUSTOMER SUPPORT AND THE KIA DEALERSHIP OF SERVICE, THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ISSUED 01 APRIL, 2013. PURCHASE MILEAGE 27,476, MILEAGE AT KIA SERVICE 30,328 ON 21 FEB, 2013. SEVERAL ONLINE FORUMS INCLUDING KIA-FORUMS.COM REPORT THIS PROBLEM AS FAR BACK AS 2007 MODELS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10509076

Incident

Jan 15, 2013

Mileage

28,200 mi

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) PURCHASED KIA SPORTAGE XL ON 5-22-2008 WITH ABS BRAKE SYSTEM; DURING THE SUBSEQUENT WINTER MONTH, I APPLIED BRAKES AND WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL STEERING; FRONT WHEELS APPEARED TO BE LOCKED IN STRAIGHT POSITION; CAR CONTINUED SKIDDING THROUGH INTERSECTION, DESPITE APPLICATION OF BRAKES. TOOK CAR IN TO KIA (ED NAPLETON) IN ELMHURST A COUPLE TIMES, BUT WAS TOLD IT WAS A NORMAL FUNCTION OF THE ABS SYSTEM, AND I HAD TO INCREASE MY STOPPING LENGTH TO ENSURE I DIDN'T GO THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. IT IS LIKE GUESS WORK, BECAUSE SNOW IS DIFFERENT FROM ICE AND WATER, AND ONE NEVER KNOWS HOW THE SYSTEM WILL REACT OR HOW FAR YOU MUST APPLY BRAKES BEFORE GETTING TO INTERSECTION, TO GET THE EFFECT YOU NEED TO MAKE YOU FEELS SAFE AND ALLOW THE CAR TO STOP. I CALLED 18003334542 WHERE I WAS TOLD TO TAKE VEHICLE IN TO ED NAPLETON 18663528276 AND HAVE SYSTEM CHECKED; WHICH I DID A COUPLE TIMES, BUT AFTER A WHILE WAS TOLD I HAD TO GET ACCUSTOMED TO THE SYSTEM. STAFF AT 1-800 NUMBER ADVISED TO HAVE STAFF AT ED NAPLETON TEST DRIVE VEHICLE WITH ME & REPRODUCE MOTION/ACTION IN QUESTION, BUT THEY SAID IT WAS NORMAL. I FEEL VERY UNSAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE DURING THE WINTER, AND HAVE TRIED NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AS MUCH AS I CAN. I'VE HAD NIGHTMARES ABOUT ENDING UP AT LOYOLA UNIVERSITY'S TRAUMA CENTER, WHICH IS SUBJECTIVE, BUT I'M NOT WORKING RIGHT NOW AND CAN'T WORK ON GETTING A DIFFERENT VEHICLE. DATES: 8-15-08 (JD POWER EVALUATION COMPLETED); 12-1-08 8AM (CAR IN FOR BRAKE CHECK); 12-3-01 (AGAIN); 12-10-10 CALLED 1800 NUMBER RE: BRAKES; 12-12-10 CALLED 1-866 TO GET APPT & HAVE BRAKES CHECKED AGAIN 3-7-09 TOOK CAR IN FOR OIL CHANGE, SPOKE TO GLENN J MUNGO RE: BRAKE EFFECT, REPEATED SAME THINGS OTHERS DID (THAT IT WAS A NORMAL RESPONSE TO PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL). CASE # [XXX] *TR

NHTSA ID

10317016

Incident

Dec 1, 2008

Mileage

3,000 mi