Problems · by component
2008 Kia Sorento engine problems
35 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2008 Kia Sorento cite engine, 16% of all 217 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
35
16% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
What owners say about the engine
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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”
“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.”
“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.”
“WHEN IT'S HUMID OUTSIDE OR THERE IS ANY KIND OF MOISTURE IN THE AIR MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON ALONG WITH THE ESC LIGHT. THE CAR SEEMS BOGGED DOWN AND WONT GO ABOVE 2000 RPM. IT TAKES 15 MINUTES JUST TO GET THE CAR UP TO 50 MPH AND THATS WITH THE GAS PEDDLE PUSHED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. IT DOES IT MAINLY WHEN I'M DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHICH IS SCARY. IT LOOSES MOST OF ITS ACCELERATION POWER”
“MY LEFT TAIL LIGHT IS OUT. I HAVE GONE TO THE MECHANIC, CHANGED THE LIGHT BULB BUT NO FIX. I WAS ADVISED THERE WAS SOME SORT OF SHORT HAPPENING FROM KIA THROUGH A RECALL LETTER. SINCE I'VE RECEIVED THE LETTER NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. I WAS TOLD NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR AND TO PARK IT AWAY FROM OTHER CARS IN CASE OF IT CATCHING FIRE. I LIVE IN THE BAY AREA AND DO NOT HAVE THE LUXURY OF PARKING IT AWAY FROM OTHER CARS, THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE. I NEED TO KNOW WHEN THEY'RE GOING TO FIX THIS? I CAN'T MOVE AROUND WITHOUT MY CAR AND I ALSO FEAR FOR MY NEIGHBORS ASSETS IF THIS CAR WOULD TO IGNITE AS THE RECALL STATES. PLEASE HELP AND ADVISE ON WHAT CAN BE DONE TO SOLVE THIS ISSUE PROMPTLY. *TR”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 4 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V088000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NAPLETON'S NORTHLAKE KIA (3626 NORTHLAKE BLVD, PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL 33403, (561) 285-2325) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REMEDY WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.”
Showing 6 of 35 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.