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Air bagsPart report

2008 Kia Sorento Air bags Problems

Complaints
66about this part
Share
30%of 217 total for the year
Median mileage
42,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 66 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 Kia Sorento, 30% of the 217 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 42,000 miles. 10 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I was in an auto accident 8/18/17 tossed back and forth like a rag doll my air bag didn't deploy on impact until the 4th time and I was knock out unconscious. Don't recall my seat belt worked I recall being tossed back and forth back and forth and took my last breath. This is my 3 time doing this. It was moving I was hit in an accident.”

NHTSA complaint #11330925, filed 2020-06, 13,000 miles

“Hit a guard rail on the front; side and rear (did a 360 and 180) and none of the air bags in my vehicle deployed. I was on interstate 90 going about 65-70”

NHTSA complaint #11210664, filed 2019-05, 203,000 miles

“In jan 18 2016 not knowing of any recall as we move from our home address at the time to new address, we took the Kia to dealer becaus the pass air bag shows: off. Dealer just told us this will cost $1800 to fix and never even bother to check on recalls. Now when we check NHTSA for this vehicle we found the recall campaign # 11v473000 . Wr call Kia motors and they refuse to honor the campaign recall on pass air bag on our truck claiming the part affected that makes has nothin to do with the air bag !! Passenger air bag continues to be off so when we ride in the SUV I have no protection. …”

NHTSA complaint #11341086, filed 2020-07, 96,981 miles

“Takata recall I was hit head on where my airbags never came out. Airbag lights are on but air bags never deployed. I was at a complete stay steal when I was hit.”

NHTSA complaint #10876112, filed 2016-06, 142,689 miles

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #10587652, filed 2014-05, 85,422 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Air bags: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202545%
202425%
202211%
202142%
202043%
201951%
2018104%
2017142%
2016181%
2015304%
2014515%
2013606%
2012819%
201118312%
20092138%
20086630%
20075838%
2006198%
20054314%
2004146%
20033010%

Other parts of the 2008 Kia Sorento

Electronic stability control
44 complaints
Engine
35 complaints
Electrical system
32 complaints
Vehicle speed control
28 complaints
Brakes
27 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
23 complaints
Exterior lighting
13 complaints
Other or unknown
12 complaints
Engine cooling
8 complaints
Suspension
6 complaints
Fuel system
5 complaints
Steering
5 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2008 Kia Sorento

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology