2008 Kia Sportage Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 7%of 98 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 51,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2008 Kia Sportage, 7% of the 98 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 51,000 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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 received a safety recall notice for the stop lamp switch. I have been unable to schedule an appointment with my local Kia dealership to have the recall work done. When I first moved to the area, I was unsuccessful in scheduling routine maintenance with the same dealership. What do you recommend?”
NHTSA complaint #10522180, filed 2013-06, 42,000 miles“Vehicle caught fire after being parked left running idle with lights on for 20 minutes , the fog light bulb melted it way through the housing and int the front bumper were open flames were visible and had to be put out”
NHTSA complaint #10958484, filed 2017-03, 68,000 miles“Approximately, two weeks after purchase in 01/2013, ESC off, light came on multiple times at various speeds including vehicle start up. I made several calls to place of purchase regarding intermittent, ESC off, light. Pressing ESC off, dash button has no effect and the light stays illuminated. Dealer of purchase took vehicle to Kia service and the diagnostic was TPMS light is on, advise. At no time did the TPMS light ever come on, nor was it reported as such. Vehicle was returned with no work done, and place of purchase was informed that tire(s) were low. …”
NHTSA complaint #10509076, filed 2013-04, 28,200 miles“I purchased a Kia Sportage 2008 aug of 2010 about 1 month after purchasing I noticed the ESC light that came on, when this light comes on the engine forces itself to do more work, the car won't go more then 40mph, I took the car to the dealer they said it was fixed, 2 months later it happened again, here we are 1yr later and it's still happening. The dealer I take it to tells me this always happens this type of car and know the battery light is coming on at the same time the ecs light is coming on. I have an appt. …”
NHTSA complaint #10451747, filed 2012-03“The contact owns a 2008 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that the brake lights illuminated when the brake pedal was not being pressed. The contact also mentioned that the electronic stability control light illuminated. The dealer advised that NHTSA campaign number 13v114000 (exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic) was performed but the failure was not corrected. The failure mileage was 48,000 and current mileage was 51,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10577340, filed 2014-04, 48,000 milesRelated recalls
- 13V114000Apr 1, 2013Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul…Covers: Kia Sportage 2007–2011, Sorento 2007–2011, Sedona 2007–2011 +6 more
Related service bulletins
- 10201529Sep 13, 2021TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this…
- 10092102Mar 19, 2015Pitstop: stop lamp switch identification matrix (sc098) - kma has received a number of incorrect warranty return parts related to campaign sc098 and has determined that at times…
- 10026726Aug 28, 2008Kia: all models. Article provides information relating to the improved durability of bulb life for rear combination bulb; rear stop lamp/tail lamp bulb utilized on multiple kia…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 2% |
| 2024 | 2 | 3% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2021 | 2 | 4% |
| 2020 | 3 | 2% |
| 2019 | 3 | 4% |
| 2018 | 6 | 4% |
| 2017 | 15 | 4% |
| 2016 | 3 | 2% |
| 2015 | 3 | 2% |
| 2013 | 1 | 0% |
| 2012 | 2 | 1% |
| 2011 | 12 | 7% |
| 2010 | 1 | 5% |
| 2009 | 7 | 9% |
| 2008 | 7 | 7% |
| 2007 | 12 | 16% |
| 2006 | 6 | 5% |
| 2005 | 1 | 1% |
| 2002 | 3 | 1% |
| 2001 | 5 | 2% |
| 1999 | 5 | 2% |
| 1998 | 6 | 2% |
| 1997 | 3 | 2% |
| 1995 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2008 Kia Sportage
27 complaintsBrakes
23 complaintsEngine
17 complaintsBody and structure
13 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsElectronic stability control
9 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsTires
4 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Kia Sportage
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