The Lemon Index2008 Kia Sorento.
The 2008 Kia Sorento is worse than average by owner complaints: 55 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 186, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about airbags, it has 3 recalls, and it gets 17 to 18 mpg combined. The best Kia Sorento year is 2018.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 217 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Kia Sorento year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 26K to 97K miles on the car (178 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 2K–112K miles
- stability control complaints mostly came at 33K–78K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 56K–125K miles
Recalls 3
- electrical 2020
Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.
- lights 2013
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.
- airbags 2011
KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 SORENTO PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 15, 2006 THROUGH NOVEMBER 27, 2007.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Kia told dealers about
Kia sent dealers 18 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Due to design of drain holes in valley of lambda v6 engines, a misdiagnose of a possible oil…
- CYLINDER HEAD STEEL BALL INSPECTION AND INSTALLATION - This Pitstop provides information…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedThrottle control system vulnerabilities2021–2023
- ClosedAir bag occupant classification system2009–2011
- ClosedAir bag ocs2009
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3550–3800 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.3L 6-cyl, 3.8L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Intermittent display on dash "passenger air bag off'" while passenger is seated and belted into passenger seat. Several documented service appointments with dealer have failed to eliminate problem.
2008 Kia Sorento owner · NHTSA complaint 10302911
More owner reports
Esc off light comes on, sudden loss of acceleration, head lights constantly needing to be changed. Middle seat belt in back malfunctions by not unlocking at times.
NHTSA complaint 10386291
2008 Kia Sorento faulty passenger airbag. Consumer states that the airbag works intermittently. Consumer states that it does not work when his father is in the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint 10218297
Quick answers
Is the 2008 Kia Sorento reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.9× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 186; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Kia Sorento year by this measure is 2018.
What are the most common 2008 Kia Sorento problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (47%), stability control (22%) and engine (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Kia Sorento have?
3 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Kia Sorento get?
17 to 18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Kia Sorento problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 26,800 and 97,100 miles. The middle report was at 57,000 miles, from 178 complaints.
Does the 2008 Kia Sorento have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 9% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2008 Kia Sorento cost in fuel a year?
About $3550 to $3800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Kia Sorento have?
3.3L 6-cyl, 3.8L 6-cyl.
What Kia Sorento year is better than the 2008?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2018, 2020 and 2012.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works