2008 Kia Sportage

● Typical for this model

2008 Kia Sportage
RENDERED 2026-08-02T13:13:56.208Z

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.

How is this computed?

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	380
2014	122
2015	146
2016	130
2017	394
2018	158
2019	68
2020	153
2021	46
2022	42
2023	182
2024	64
2025	49
2026	19

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 27%

27% of complaints: electrical system — 26 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

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, 20171213

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, 20130514

ENGINE 17%

17% of complaints: engine — 17 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

Was parked and after driving to pick up please came back out and it was in flames

NHTSA ODI report, 20240723

SERVICE BRAKES 15%

15% of complaints: service brakes — 15 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

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, 20130514

My ABS MODULE HAS MY BRAKES LOCKED UP

NHTSA ODI report, 20230907

STRUCTURE 11%

11% of complaints: structure — 11 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

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, 20180129

NHTSA ODI report, 20171213

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, 20131113

POWER TRAIN 9%

9% of complaints: power train — 9 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20130419 — exterior lighting

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

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. Owners

Campaign 13V114000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20161228 — electrical system

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.

Campaign 16V815000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20221222 — service brakes, hydraulic

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.

Campaign 22V800000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20231117 — AQ (open)

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires