2008 Kia Sportage
The Verdict
The 2008 Kia Sportage has 98 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are electrical (26 complaints) and engine (24 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 74/100, it earns a "Solid Pick" rating. If you're shopping for a Kia Sportage, consider the 2003 model year which has 95% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2003 has 95% fewer complaints
View the 2003 Kia Sportage dashboard →
Klunk Score: Solid Pick
Fewer complaints than most vehicles. Generally dependable, but check the top problems below.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
Recalls 2
Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.
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 Contr...
Risk
A fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures and other vehicles until the recall repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and replace the HECU, its wiring harness, and its fu...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
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 Un...
Risk
If the HECU short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.
Remedy
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the connector pins for corrosion, if no corrosion is found, the connector cover will be replaced. If corrosion is present, the dealer will replace ...
Reported Oct 11, 2016
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
| Year | Body | Brakes | Electrical | Engine | Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 81 | 42 | 39 | 129 | 30 |
| 2001 | 62 | 16 | 32 | 107 | 16 |
| 2002 | 50 | 16 | 24 | 133 | 14 |
| 2003 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 2005 | 25 | 5 | 19 | 19 | 0 |
| 2006 | 22 | 9 | 51 | 26 | 3 |
| 2007 | 22 | 12 | 30 | 11 | 2 |
| 2008 | 21 | 20 | 26 | 24 | 7 |
| 2009 | 24 | 15 | 27 | 12 | 2 |
| 2010 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 2 |
| 2011 | 35 | 17 | 26 | 89 | 13 |
| 2012 | 23 | 9 | 16 | 332 | 10 |
| 2013 | 25 | 16 | 15 | 314 | 7 |
| 2014 | 19 | 17 | 7 | 74 | 1 |
| 2015 | 16 | 22 | 13 | 88 | 3 |
| 2016 | 14 | 29 | 15 | 63 | 3 |
| 2017 | 73 | 20 | 52 | 232 | 16 |
| 2018 | 32 | 9 | 19 | 90 | 8 |
| 2019 | 15 | 6 | 7 | 37 | 3 |
| 2020 | 45 | 12 | 13 | 83 | 1 |
| 2021 | 17 | 0 | 4 | 23 | 2 |
| 2022 | 17 | 1 | 4 | 20 | 0 |
| 2023 | 63 | 26 | 37 | 48 | 9 |
| 2024 | 34 | 5 | 11 | 11 | 3 |
| 2025 | 25 | 3 | 9 | 8 | 4 |
By Category
By Severity
Worst Problems
Compare Against
See how the 2008 Kia Sportage stacks up against rivals.
Complaints
The contact owns a 2008 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the message "ESC Off" was displayed and the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and to several independent mechanics; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Was parked and after driving to pick up please came back out and it was in flames
The contact owned a 2008 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving 40-45 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle was shuddering. Additionally, the contact stated while driving on another occasion, the vehicle experienced brake failure, which nearly led to a crash. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact decided to total the vehicle. The vehicle was totaled. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V800000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2008 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the brakes locked up. The contact removed the fuses. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. While his daughter was driving, an abnormal dinging sound was detected. The contact changed the calipers and noticed that the ABS box was stuck. The brake warning light was illuminated. The contact put the fuse back in the vehicle. Additionally, the vehicle was leaking brake fluid. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who stated that the brake pedal was soft and not to drive the vehicle. The dealer informed the contact that the parts were not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V800000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.
My ABS MODULE HAS MY BRAKES LOCKED UP
The radiator fan component was smoking. The car is available at anytime for inspection. I definitely feared that the car was going to explode in front of my baby cousins and elderly Aunt. The car has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealship or independent service center. It also has not been inpected by manufacturer or police, insurance. The vehicle was not going faster than 30 mph, when parked, the radiator expelled the all the water on floor. It began to let out white smoke, and than black smoke. A lot of black smoke, and than a loud pop sound. The hood of the car melted shut. Everything that surrounds the radiator and battery was melted.
The contact owns a 2008 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V800000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulics); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle needed to remain in dealer possession since the vehicle failed a safety test related to the recall. After several failed attempts to reach the dealer, the contact was informed that the part needed to repair the recall was discontinued and that she could pick up the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified, and a case was filed. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was unavailable. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2008 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that after driving at approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle was shifted into reverse and the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact shifted the gear shifter several times and then drove for a short distance before the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated; the vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact stated that the ABS Hydraulic Control Unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed and determined that the ABS Hydraulic Control Unit needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that there was an abnormal burning odor detected. The vehicle failed to drive forward or reverse as needed. Additionally, the brakes seized. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the ABS hydraulic module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.
I bought my car July 27,2022 from Rt 119 Auto Sales and service. It came with a drive train warrenty. Nothing was said to me of a problem until I took it to get inspected then I found out my frame is rotted out on both sides.
2008 KIA SPORTAGE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO VEHICLE CATCHING FIRE WHILE PARKED THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WANTS TO BE COMPENSATED FOR THE LOSS OF THE VEHICLE.
The contact owns a 2008 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and unattended, the vehicle caught fire. The ABS warning light was illuminated before the failure. The fire department extinguished the fire. There were no reported injuries. A police report was filed under case number 22027268. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.
Smoke was pouring out from the passenger front side of the motor compartment. The fuses for the ABS (I think) were taken out so it would stop. I was a told a control module could have something to do with it.
The contact owns a 2008 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while checking the oil in their vehicle, the hood latch suddenly did not lock and the front hood of the vehicle fell down and on the contact's head which caused her nose to fracture. The contact stated she has a laceration on the bridge of their nose where they were bleeding and the contact has two black eyes. The contact did not receive any medical treatment at the scene or go to the hospital. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made of the failure. The failure mileage was 167,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle back to the used car dealer where she purchased the vehicle and was informed that the 02 sensors and another unknown component needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 129,232.
The contact owns a 2008 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while inspecting under the vehicle, he noticed the subframe was corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH THE CRUSE CONTROL SET AT 65 AND THE VECHILE STARTED TO INCREASE SPEED ON IT'S OWN I ATTEMPTED TO TURN OFF THE CRUSE CONTROL BY PRESSING THE BRAKE AND TURNING OFF THE SYSTEM THE CAR SLOWED UNTIL I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE, THEN IT BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AGAIN. ONCE I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO TRY AND FORCE IT'S WAY BACK TO MOVING SPEED ON IT'S OWN, I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND THE ENGINE SPEED INCREASED TO FULL THROTTLE ON IT'S OWN. I WAS ABLE TO SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE AND RESTART THE VEHICLE, IT WAS BEHAVING NORMALLY ABOUT 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING LATER I ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND THE PROBLEM RETURNED AND IT STARTED ACCELERATING AGAIN ON IT'S OWN. I WAS ABLE TO SHUT THE VEHICLE DOWN
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. OIL HAS BEEN CHANGED AS WELL AS FILTERS, ALL FLUIDS LOOK GOOD. UNSURE WHAT THE ISSUE MAY BE. *TR
WHILE DRIVING AT A CONTINUOUS SPEED OF 55MPH ON THE MAIN ROAD, THE ESC LIGHT RANDOMLY CAME ON AND THE CAR JOLTED INTO 1ST GEAR. I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE IT AND IT WAS TOWED BACK TO MY HOUSE. SINCE THEN, THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT STOPPING THE VEHICLE.
98 total