What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2008 KIA Sportage

Typical pattern

3.7% of complaints about the 2008 KIA Sportage came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2008 vehicle — around the middle of the 262 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 8.3 yr in service. The most-reported system is electrical system (26 complaints), typically at 9.2 yr or about 90,000 miles.

Complaints
135
Median age at failure
8.3 yr
Median mileage
88,000 n=93
Crash / fire / tow
31.9% of reports
Safety recalls
3 1 do not drive

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Electrical system
26 reports · 90,000 mi
9.2 yr
53.8%
Engine
17 reports · 90,000 mi
10.4 yr
41.2%
Service brakes
15 reports · 79,000 mi
8.0 yr
20%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

22V800000 2022-10-24 Do not drive
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2008-2009 Sportage vehicles previously recalled under recall 16V-815. An engine compartment fire originating from around the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may occur while parked or driving.

A fire increases the risk of injury.

16V815000 2016-11-10
Electrical system:wiring

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 Kia Sportage vehicles manufactured August 9, 2007, to May 13, 2009. The wire harness cover on the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may be improperly sealed allowing water to get onto the HECU circuit board. If the water is contaminated with salt, such as could occur from melted snow, the wire harness connector pins may corrode and the circuit board may short circuit.

If the HECU short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.

13V114000 2013-04-01
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch

Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The

Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.

In owners’ own words

Electrical system 27,600 mi 2.6 yr in service crash / fire / tow
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2008 KIA SPORTAGE AT AN AUCTION. IT HAS SUSTAINED AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE THAT APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE WIRING HARNESS AND / OR ABS PUMP. THIS IS THE LX MODEL WITH 2.7 V6 AUTOMATIC 4WD. I JUST SAW ANOTHER SPORTAGE 2010 MODEL THAT HAD A FIRE IN THE SAME ABS PUMP AREA AT AN AUCTION. THOUGHT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED AS THERE SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM .. *TR
Electrical system 147,500 mi 5.7 yr in service
VEHICLE PARKED, NOT RUNNING, BUT WITH THE RADIO ON, THERE WAS A LOUD POP AND SMOKE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. RELASED LOCK AND LOOKED INSIDE, SMALL BOX MOUNTED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WALL, UNDER THE HOOD, OVER THE WHEEL WELL, A SMALL SQUARE BOX, I THINK IT WAS THE ABS BOX WAS ON FIRE. EVERYTHING THAT WAS BURNABLE UNDER THE HOOD BURNT BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED. *TR
Electrical system 42,000 mi 5.8 yr in service
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? *TR
Service brakes 45,000 mi 6.1 yr in service
I HAVE HAD AN ONGOING SQUEAL/GRIND IN THE REAR LEFT. THEY DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS BRAKES AND I PAID A LOT OF MONEY FOR BRAKES WHICH I CHALLENGED GIVEN ONLY 45000 MILES. I STILL HAVE THE ISSUE AND OF COURSE CANT FIND A THING. I BELIEVE ITS THE CV JOINT OR AXLE. WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP. THIS CAR CANT BE THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS ISSUE. THANKS FOR ALLOWING ME TO POST THIS. *TR

Other Sportage model years

202520242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011200920082006200520022001200019991998

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