2008 Kia Sorento engine problems
43 complaints about engine have been filed for the 2008 Kia Sorento, which is 13% of all its NHTSA complaints. It is the 3rd most reported problem area for this model year.
At a glance
- Complaints
- 43 14% of this year's complaints
- Typical mileage
- 65,000 miles 35 complaints with mileage
- Crashes and fires
- 0 and 4
- Injuries and deaths
- 0 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
When engine problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 5 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 6 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 2 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 7 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 6 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 2 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 1 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 1 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 4 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 1 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 35 engine complaints that report mileage, the median is about 65,000 miles, and 37% were reported before 60,000 miles.
These complaints mention 4 fires.
What owners wrote
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.
We were driving on a busy freeway on the way to work, the steering wheel started getting stiff so we slowed down and moved over to the far right. The car died but we were able to coast over out of traffic though the back of the car was still not out all the way due to the angle. We were not able to steer and straighten the car. The car would not start. We called roadside assistance and they were unable to jump the car. It was towed to a mechanic. The engine was locked. The mechanic said a screw broke off.
Other problems reported for the 2008 Kia Sorento
- Air bags 67 complaints
- Stability control 44 complaints
- Electrical system 32 complaints
- Cruise control 28 complaints
- Brakes 27 complaints
- Drivetrain & axles 19 complaints