2008 Kia Sportage
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 98
- Recalls
- 3
- Investigations
- 1
- Top problem
- Electrical system
Campaigns on file for 2008
Opened by NHTSA
28% of complaints
Complaints per year
2008: 98 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 56 |
| 1996 | 57 |
| 1997 | 181 |
| 1998 | 303 |
| 1999 | 284 |
| 2000 | 304 |
| 2001 | 228 |
| 2002 | 234 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2005 | 68 |
| 2006 | 111 |
| 2007 | 77 |
| 2008 | 98 |
| 2009 | 80 |
| 2010 | 20 |
| 2011 | 181 |
| 2012 | 392 |
| 2013 | 381 |
| 2014 | 125 |
| 2015 | 146 |
| 2016 | 134 |
| 2017 | 402 |
| 2018 | 164 |
| 2019 | 71 |
| 2020 | 166 |
| 2021 | 53 |
| 2022 | 46 |
| 2023 | 195 |
| 2024 | 74 |
| 2025 | 54 |
| 2026 | 28 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Electrical system
28% · 27 reportsMost commonly citing 12v/24v/48v battery.
Show complaint excerpts
12/03/17, 03:15 a.m. While parked, not running, vehicle caught fire under the hood and became fully engulfed. Vehicle had been parked for several hours prior to this incident. Car was completely destroyed.
NHTSA ODI report, 2017-12-13
Also filed under Structure
I was in the car, parked in a wendys parking lot, engine off, radio on. There was a loud pop followed by smoke, a gentleman in a truck 3 spaces away heard it and saw it.
NHTSA ODI report, 2013-05-14
Also filed under Service brakes
Service brakes
23% · 23 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic and air.
Show complaint excerpts
My ABS MODULE HAS MY BRAKES LOCKED UP
NHTSA ODI report, 2023-09-07
Engine
17% · 17 reportsShow complaint excerpts
Was parked and after driving to pick up please came back out and it was in flames
NHTSA ODI report, 2024-07-23
Structure
13% · 13 reportsMost commonly citing body and support device/strut.
Show complaint excerpts
While driving on the interstate, the Kia started to smoke then flames appeared. In about five minutes the entire car was engulfed in flames.
NHTSA ODI report, 2018-01-29
This is part 2 of 3... We got a new battery installed at advanced auto. Car ran fine. The next morning , she started the car and then went into the house. My niece was there and said she heard a pop and look outside to see the car on fire.
NHTSA ODI report, 2013-11-13
I rented a Kia Sportage and while closing the tailgate the top hinged portion of the tailgate lifted up and then slammed down on my finger causing a painful contusion and extensive discoloration under the fingernail.
NHTSA ODI report, 2009-01-02
Power train
12% · 12 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission.
Safety timeline
3 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2013-04-19Exterior lighting13V114000 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…
Remedy: 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.…
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2016-12-28Electrical system16V815000 Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 Kia Sportage vehicles manufactured August 9, 2007, to May 13, 2009.
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.
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2022-12-22Service brakes, hydraulic22V800000 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.
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 fuses, as necessary, free of charge.
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2023-11-17Audit queryOpen Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
Buy-smart checklist
2008 Kia Sportage — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Electrical system: 27 reports on file for this year.
- Service brakes: 23 reports on file for this year.
- Engine: 17 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 13V114000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 16V815000 · Electrical system
- Recall 22V800000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2008 Kia Sportage reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 Kia Sportage is rated "typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Kia Sportage?
- The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 28% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2008 Kia Sportage have?
- 3 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.