2008 Kia Sportage Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 12%of 98 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 24,900miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2008 Kia Sportage, 12% of the 98 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 24,900 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 am an owner of a Kia 2008 Sportage with approximately 12,000 miles. About 9 months ago, the engine and brake lights went on. It was evident that car had a transmission problem, you can hear the engine knocking when you would go park to drive or reverse to drive etc... The dealership said I needed a new transmission and all new brakes. They couldn't explain why the transmission was faulty on a car that had at the time less than 11,000 miles. …”
NHTSA complaint #10621705, filed 2014-08, 10,000 miles“While driving rpms would jump. Had vehicle inspected and was told I would need to replace the transmission or get it rebuilt. Replaced the transmission but didn't seem to resolve the issue. Rpm's still jump while driving. Almost as if I'm pushing the gas down hard then letting off. Not sure what the issue may be, ive been told it could be the cruise control or possibly shift solenoid. Vehicle stalls/jumps while in motion, happens on interstate as well as city streets and back roads. Seems to jerk more around 40mph and 80mph but has done it at different speeds as well. …”
NHTSA complaint #11326719, filed 2020-06, 159,000 miles“I was driving the vehicle when my ESC light, brake light and check engine light came on . I just got the car inspected and it passed fine. I took it to the shop where they said an oil sensor was bad. They replaced that. The very next day the lights went on again and the car was having trouble shifting into gears. It was jumping and accelerating intermittently. I took the car back to the shop and they said I had 4 transmission codes. They said the ABS system needed to also be replaced which the part alone was over $2000.00. This car only had 88,000 miles. …”
NHTSA complaint #10836822, filed 2016-02, 88,000 miles“The automatic transmission shifts very sharp and rough from 2nd to 3rd gear, approximately at 25 MPH. On 17 mar 11, the dealer re-programmed a computer chip for the transmission under their service bulletin TSB eng 075--ECM upgrade. The transmission was fine for about 8 months, but then same problem started. The car was brought in again at the beginning of march 2012, and I was told that the transmission was blown, and a new one provided under warranty. I was told to stand by and they will call when it is ready. …”
NHTSA complaint #10454382, filed 2012-04, 17,901 miles“Kia is ripping people off to the tune of $1,700 to $1,800 for their faulty ABS brake controllers plus labor. It is a widely know problem that brake fluid seeps out of the back of this unit onto the circuit board and causes a variety of safety and mechanical issues. A year and a half ago I experienced a problem with the ESC traction light coming on, followed by a flashing 4x4 light and then finally a check engine light. The worst part about this is that it then slams itself into first gear going down the road! Yes, you heard that correctly. This can happen very quickly. …”
NHTSA complaint #10837581, filed 2016-02, 110,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11017172Apr 17, 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are…
- 11000787May 16, 2024This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission…
- 10226555Nov 18, 2022TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity…
- 10034511Jul 1, 2010Kia: combined tsb/service action-ecm upgrade-mil o with dtc p0130/p0150. Provides information related to an ecm/ecu/pcm software upgrade of some model vehicles equipped with 2.7l…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | 11% |
| 2024 | 4 | 5% |
| 2023 | 19 | 10% |
| 2022 | 3 | 7% |
| 2021 | 4 | 7% |
| 2020 | 3 | 2% |
| 2019 | 7 | 10% |
| 2018 | 18 | 11% |
| 2017 | 41 | 10% |
| 2016 | 8 | 6% |
| 2015 | 6 | 4% |
| 2014 | 4 | 3% |
| 2013 | 18 | 5% |
| 2012 | 21 | 5% |
| 2011 | 23 | 13% |
| 2010 | 2 | 10% |
| 2009 | 3 | 4% |
| 2008 | 12 | 12% |
| 2007 | 3 | 4% |
| 2006 | 6 | 5% |
| 2005 | 1 | 1% |
| 2002 | 23 | 10% |
| 2001 | 22 | 10% |
| 2000 | 41 | 13% |
| 1999 | 57 | 20% |
| 1998 | 63 | 21% |
| 1997 | 25 | 14% |
| 1996 | 11 | 19% |
| 1995 | 4 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2008 Kia Sportage
27 complaintsBrakes
23 complaintsEngine
17 complaintsBody and structure
13 complaintsElectronic stability control
9 complaintsExterior lighting
7 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