4.4

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
25,700 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Kia Sorento engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2008 Kia Sorento:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2008 Kia Sorento Owner Comments

problem #6

Aug 262014

Sorento

  • 80,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

For the 3rd time in as many years, the check engine light and ESC light come on at the same time causing the car to go into limp mode. Sometimes it will reset if you turn the car off and restart. Have replace catalytic converter. See this is a common theme with this car. I have no idea why it has not become a recall. When losing all power on hwy in traffic this is sure to become a fatality issue before long. I would think the company would rather recall before it becomes a lawsuit..

- Carleton Place, NY, USA

problem #5

May 212010

Sorento 6-cyl

  • 15,703 miles
I have a 2008 Kia Sorento I have had 6 service issues with the check engine light and ESC coming on. Kia dealership has replaced gas pedal X2, throttle sensory assy, tightened connections, cleared codes, applied stabulant, tightened pins, reset codes, cleared faults, cleaned ground station and numerous other things. I only have these issues with the car in the warmer months (may-August)? it loses power and won't accelerate.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #4

Oct 122010

Sorento 6-cyl

  • 42,000 miles
My 2008 Kia Sorento LX loses power & will not accelerate to 60mph. I fear driving my vehicle because I was almost rear ended on 2 separate occasions by an 18-wheeler diesel due to the fact the power is lost upon acceleration attempts. In addition to the loss of power, the check engine & ESC off lights stay illuminated. Like many of the other complaints, I have tried turning my engine off & waiting 10 minutes before restarting the engine to see if that clears the status of the lights but had limited success. The vehicle has been taken to the dealership at least 3 times, while under warranty, for resolution. The dealership has advised that certain sensors have been replaced as well as the gas pedal but yet either has resolved the issue. The dealership even wanted to charge me $2800 for one trip & $1800 on the next. This was totally unacceptable & corporate was contacted immediately. I am currently waiting on a response from them. The brakes on this vehicle as well have been an issue & are another reason for why I fear for the safety of me & my passengers when this vehicle is driven.

- Shreveport, LA, USA

problem #3

Aug 082011

Sorento

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Bought the car in December of 2008. Problems began with the ESC off light and check engine about a year later. Multiple parts were supposedly fixed and replaced but the lights kept coming on, each time loosing all acceleration sometimes on the highway! a few days ago, driving up a hill, both lights are on, my car stalls out, steering locks and starts rolling down the hill, luckily in a quiet, slow traffic neighborhood. After that my car won't even start. Had to get it towed to the dealership. They have since called corporate... we will see what that does.

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #2

Aug 012010

Sorento

  • 12,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Kia sorrento. While the contact was driving approximately 55 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated, followed by a complete loss of engine power. The vehicle was coasted to the side of the road. The engine restarted and the vehicle resumed operation. The vehicle was in the process of being diagnosed by an authorized dealer at the time of the complaint. The failure mileage was 12,000.

- Albany, NY, USA

problem #1

Mar 012009

Sorento

  • 4,500 miles
I bought my 2008 Kia Sorento 11/11/2008. In March 2009, I started to notice a compression type noise and it occurs every 3-5 seconds. The Kia dealership has had this vehicle several times, but can't figure out the issue. This is an ongoing and still current issue. It's very inconvenient to take my vehicle to the dealership every other week just to hear that they can't figure out the issue. The Kia dealership can not tell me if it a safety issue. If the dealership service tech's can't figure out the problem, then how do I know if my family is safe in this vehicle?

- Gardner, KS, USA

Not what you are looking for?