2008 Kia Sorento Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/14/2026

35Engine complaints

16.3%Of all 215 complaints

#3Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

AIR BAGS48 · 22.3%

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)44 · 20.5%

ENGINE35 · 16.3%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM30 · 14%

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL28 · 13%

Share of the 215 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2008 Kia Sorento overview page.

What owners report

“I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE CAR SHUT DOWN AND THE ALL THE PANEL LIGHTS CAME ON. HAD TO STOP ON THE SIDE…”NHTSA complaint 10566395 — filed 02/27/2014

“TWO DAYS AGO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED (AND STAYED ON) WITH INTERMITTENT ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL OFF LIGHT ILLUMINATED; VEHICLE ACCELERATION BECAME SLUGGISH AND SOMETIMES…”NHTSA complaint 10545514 — filed 09/26/2013

“ESC LIGHT COMES ON THEN THE ENGINE LOSES POWER, IT ALSO DID THIS 2 YEARS AGO ON 10/31/2011.”NHTSA complaint 10545351 — filed 09/25/2013

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Kia Sorento have engine problems?

Engine is the #3 most-reported problem area on the 2008 Kia Sorento: 35 of 215 complaints on file (16.3%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2008 Kia Sorento have in total?

215 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 15 involved a crash, 9 involved a fire, 17 reported injuries, and 3 reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.