2008 Kia Sorento Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 32about this part
- Share
- 15%of 217 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 63,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 32 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 Kia Sorento, 15% of the 217 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 63,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 5 a fire, 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“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”
NHTSA complaint #11343129, filed 2020-08, 140,000 miles“The electronical parts of the ignition switch went out at the same time the battery and the starter did . Then on top of my ESC randomly coming on and every time this has happened it made it to where I couldn't go above 5 miles have to turn the car off and then restart it multiple times just so I can dive home this has been happening since I have had he vehicle november 2016”
NHTSA complaint #11114760, filed 2018-07, 135,000 miles“Sunday sept 9th at around 9 - 9:30 am I smelled smoke and walked around the house and smelled that it was coming from the garage. When I opened the door I saw flames underneath the car and smoke and fire on top of the hood. I called the palm bay fire department when they got there they put the hose on the car until the fire was out they had to cut the hood in order to finish putting out the fire. They fire marshall came and inspected the vehicle it could have been an electrical problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #11128582, filed 2018-09, 87,550 miles“We were returning home from the store shut the vehicle off and the key would not come out . Two hours later we were able to remove the key. If this would have been an emergency we would have been delayed because we could not get the key out.”
NHTSA complaint #10538420, filed 2013-09, 69,000 milesRelated recalls
- 20V088000Feb 14, 2020Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Sedona and 2007-2009 Sorento vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result…Covers: Kia Sorento 2007–2009, Sedona 2006–2010
Related service bulletins
- 10183431Apr 4, 2016TSB - USE OF AFTERMARKET USB CHARGING CABLES IN USB/12V PORTS - This article provides information regarding the use of USB ports and 12V power outlets to connect/charge mobile…
- 10034496Sep 1, 2010Kia: provides the procedure to upgrade the engine control module (ecm) on some vehicles which may experience idle irregularity with brake pedal applied/depressed.
- 10033464Nov 1, 2009Kia: ecm upgrade with tp sensor replacement-mil on with dtc p2135/p0638. Information related to ecm software and tp sensor upgrade on some vehicles with 2.7l engines which may…
- 10032792Oct 1, 2009Kia: information related to the transmission control module (tcm) upgrade for certain models. Vehicles with 3.3l engine may experience a bumping symptom during engagement of the…
- 10030292Apr 22, 2009Kia: on some vehicles with 2.7l engines, the ecm software and tp sensor upgrade may experience a malfunction indicator lamp (mil) illuminated with the electronic throttle control…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 17% |
| 2025 | 22 | 29% |
| 2024 | 11 | 25% |
| 2023 | 38 | 30% |
| 2022 | 31 | 16% |
| 2021 | 47 | 18% |
| 2020 | 20 | 14% |
| 2019 | 68 | 16% |
| 2018 | 30 | 12% |
| 2017 | 97 | 12% |
| 2016 | 107 | 8% |
| 2015 | 58 | 8% |
| 2014 | 153 | 15% |
| 2013 | 116 | 12% |
| 2012 | 127 | 14% |
| 2011 | 246 | 16% |
| 2009 | 14 | 25% |
| 2008 | 32 | 15% |
| 2007 | 21 | 14% |
| 2006 | 53 | 22% |
| 2005 | 49 | 16% |
| 2004 | 28 | 13% |
| 2003 | 29 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2008 Kia Sorento
66 complaintsElectronic stability control
44 complaintsEngine
35 complaintsVehicle speed control
28 complaintsBrakes
27 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
23 complaintsExterior lighting
13 complaintsOther or unknown
12 complaintsEngine cooling
8 complaintsSuspension
6 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsSteering
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Kia Sorento
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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