2008 Kia Sorento Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 35about this part
- Share
- 16%of 217 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 75,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 35 complaints about the engine of the 2008 Kia Sorento, 16% of the 217 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,000 miles. 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“I was driving down the road and the car shut down and the all the panel lights came on. Had to stop on the side of the road to start the car. Oil light came on and took to my mechanic. Replace on oil pump and car will not start. He stated motor was gone. Please help me. Have 30 more payments on this 2008 Kia Sorento. God bless nd have a good day.”
NHTSA complaint #10566395, filed 2014-02, 100,000 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“I was driving on an interstate with a speed limit of 65 MPH when with no warning the check engine and ESC off lights came on simultaneously. At the same time, the engine lost power, causing my vehicle to suddenly decelerate and almost causing a collision both with the car behind me and with the cars merging over from an entrance ramp. Luckily, I was able to safely maintain control of my car and put on my hazard lights to warn other drivers of my much slower speed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10525696, filed 2013-07, 178,155 miles“I drove my 08 Kia Sorento home at about 730 am. I work night shift and went to sleep and was woken up at 945 by ems to my car up in flames. It was showing no signs of any problems, not running hot, nothing. It was parked for about an hour when it went up in flames. The fire chief was on the truck that day as he had orientee's, and said the fire started behind the steering wheel/dash and that it was an electrical engine fire which is stated on my fire report. I contacted Kia they told me it was no way it was their problem and had to be a user error. …”
NHTSA complaint #11089996, filed 2018-04, 63,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10147325Oct 19, 2018PITSTOP: CYLINDER HEAD STEEL BALL INSPECTION AND INSTALLATION - This Pitstop provides information regarding the inspection and installation of the steel sealing ball on: * 3.3L &…
- 10044560May 1, 2012Kia: due to design of drain holes in valley of lambda v6 engines, a misdiagnose of a possible oil leak source in rear main seal or oil pan, when actual leaks coming from engine…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 17% |
| 2025 | 19 | 25% |
| 2024 | 5 | 12% |
| 2023 | 32 | 26% |
| 2022 | 52 | 27% |
| 2021 | 68 | 27% |
| 2020 | 67 | 48% |
| 2019 | 159 | 37% |
| 2018 | 107 | 42% |
| 2017 | 387 | 48% |
| 2016 | 696 | 55% |
| 2015 | 363 | 48% |
| 2014 | 388 | 39% |
| 2013 | 498 | 51% |
| 2012 | 461 | 52% |
| 2011 | 284 | 19% |
| 2009 | 4 | 7% |
| 2008 | 35 | 16% |
| 2007 | 7 | 5% |
| 2006 | 67 | 28% |
| 2005 | 63 | 21% |
| 2004 | 46 | 21% |
| 2003 | 43 | 14% |
Other parts of the 2008 Kia Sorento
66 complaintsElectronic stability control
44 complaintsElectrical system
32 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 27, 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