2008 Kia Sorento Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 2%of 217 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 62,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the fuel system of the 2008 Kia Sorento, 2% of the 217 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 62,500 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have had nothing but problems with my 2008 Kia, first it was the front rotors replaced three times within 3 mos. After multiple diagnoses to figure out the problem. I have had acceleration problems, I just put 800.00 in new rotors and tires and fuel/air induction services. Then the other day driving 45 MPH the vehicle started to shake, making a thud thud thud noise in the front end, felt like I had a flat tire, I pulled over, no flat tires. …”
NHTSA complaint #10637156, filed 2014-09, 116,000 miles“Exiting a strip center to cross 2 lanes of traffic and make a left to merge into traffic, I accelerated in a safe gap only to find my vehicle had almost no acceleration. I was nearly in a side impact collision if not for the excellent awareness and reaction of the others on the road. I pulled immediately into a parking lot to try to find out what had happen. At this time my check engine light and the ESC off light were on. They were not went I started the trip from my house about 1 mile away. I shut the car off and restarted and the ESC off light was no longer there, but the check engine was. …”
NHTSA complaint #11011400, filed 2017-07, 40,000 miles“While attempting to pump gas into the tank, it forcefully spewed out all up my arm and on my feet before I could jump back out if the way. I tried again, this time very slowly but it spewed out again. Having enough gas to get home, I left the cap loose. By the next day, it held the gasoline just fine. So I continued to leave the cap loose, which was working until yesterday. I was out of town shopping. The low fuel light came on, so I attempted to get gas but it spewed out all over my arm and feet again. Fortunately, there was a Kia dealership nearby and I had enough gas to get there. …”
NHTSA complaint #10619370, filed 2014-08, 119,000 miles“My 22 yr son. Was driving a Kia Sorento, at highway speed on 11/27/08 on I-10 w in houston, tx, just east of loop 610. The vehicle was a rental from enterprise rental car and had ca. 4000 miles on the odometer. My son reports hearing a loud boom from the engine compartment and immediately noticed smoke coming from the dashboard vents. He immediately pulled the vehicle over to the median shoulder and exited the vehicle, noticing dark smoke coming from the hood, then flames. He promptly called 911. The operator said she had his vehicle fire on the overhead highway camera. …”
NHTSA complaint #10251440, filed 2008-12, 4,000 miles“The fuel gauge needle drops down from full to empty and the low/out of gas indicator light comes on, but goes off after needle moves from the low fuel gauge marking. This malfunction of the fuel gas needle happens at no specific time interval or speed rate.”
NHTSA complaint #10434828, filed 2011-11, 62,500 milesFuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 5% |
| 2024 | 2 | 5% |
| 2023 | 6 | 5% |
| 2022 | 14 | 7% |
| 2021 | 24 | 9% |
| 2020 | 10 | 7% |
| 2019 | 28 | 6% |
| 2018 | 13 | 5% |
| 2017 | 49 | 6% |
| 2016 | 58 | 5% |
| 2015 | 31 | 4% |
| 2014 | 50 | 5% |
| 2013 | 38 | 4% |
| 2012 | 39 | 4% |
| 2011 | 19 | 1% |
| 2008 | 5 | 2% |
| 2007 | 2 | 1% |
| 2006 | 12 | 5% |
| 2005 | 12 | 4% |
| 2004 | 14 | 6% |
| 2003 | 77 | 25% |
Other parts of the 2008 Kia Sorento
66 complaintsElectronic stability control
44 complaintsEngine
35 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 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 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