2008 Kia Sorento power train problems
23 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the power train on the 2008 Kia Sorento — 11% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“I started my 2008 kia sorento ex when I put it in reverse all of a sudden it makes a loud bump noise and with pressure on the brakes it jumps hard in reverse I look and see my esc light came on and I could not accelerate, my vehicle in fact slowed down terribly. I have noticed that if I shut my car…”
filed Jun 7, 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 kia sorento. While driving 15 mph, the contact heard an abnormal noise and the steering became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the drive shaft detached. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified and a…”
filed May 18, 2018
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
Kia: there may be erratic shifting, shift shock, and a malfunction light on with stored trouble codes. This is caused by a problem within the transfer motor. *rm
034 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 1, 2011
Power Train problems in other Sorento years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Sorento | 19 | 28% |
| 2024 Sorento | 3 | 8% |
| 2023 Sorento | 19 | 17% |
| 2022 Sorento | 61 | 33% |
| 2021 Sorento | 125 | 54% |
| 2020 Sorento | 18 | 14% |
| 2019 Sorento | 50 | 12% |
| 2018 Sorento | 9 | 4% |
| 2017 Sorento | 37 | 5% |
| 2016 Sorento | 122 | 10% |
| 2015 Sorento | 42 | 6% |
| 2014 Sorento | 69 | 7% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2008 Kia Sorento
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.