What are the most common problems with the 2008 Kia Sportage?

Owners have filed 98 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is electrical system (27 complaints), followed by engine (17).

How many 2008 Kia Sportage complaints mention a crash or fire?

2 of 98 complaints report a crash and 24 a fire; 5 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2008 Kia Sportage recalls and problems

3 recalls and 98 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2008 Kia Sportage.

recalls

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2008 Kia Sportage recalls

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/module

NHTSA campaign 22V800000 · reported October 24, 2022 · Kia America, Inc. · 71,704 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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.
The risk: A fire increases the risk of injury.
The fix: 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 fuses, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 22, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC253.

Electrical system: wiring

NHTSA campaign 16V815000 · reported November 10, 2016 · Kia Motors America · 71,704 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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.
The risk: If the HECU short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.
The fix: 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 the HECU assembly and the connector cover, free of charge. The recall began on November 28, 2016. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC138.

Exterior lighting: brake lights, switch

NHTSA campaign 13V114000 · reported April 1, 2013 · Kia Motors Corporation · 980,377 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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 total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
The risk: 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.
The fix: Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Electrical system27
Engine17
Service brakes15
Structure13
Power train12
Electronic stability control (ESC)9
Exterior lighting7
Service brakes, hydraulic7
Air bags5
Engine and engine cooling5

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Aug 27, 2024 · Electronic stability control (ESC)
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…

Jul 23, 2024 · Engine · fire reported
Was parked and after driving to pick up please came back out and it was in flames

Jun 24, 2024 · Engine · 117,000 miles
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…

Apr 19, 2024 · Service brakes, hydraulic
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…

Feb 22, 2024 · Service brakes, hydraulic · 123,000 miles
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…

Sportage model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2005	3	68	6	2
2006	1	111	8	5
2007	2	77	10	5
2008	3	98	2	24
2009	3	80	4	8
2010	2	20	3	0
2011	6	181	7	8

Across all years, the 2017 Sportage has the most complaints (403). All Kia Sportage years →

Questions

Does the 2008 Kia Sportage have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2008 Kia Sportage, the most recent reported on October 24, 2022 (Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/module). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Kia Sportage?: Owners have filed 98 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is electrical system (27 complaints), followed by engine (17).
How many 2008 Kia Sportage complaints mention a crash or fire?: 2 of 98 complaints report a crash and 24 a fire; 5 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received August 27, 2024.