VehicleVerdict

2008 Kia Sorento electrical system problems

The 2008 Kia Sorento has 76 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 24% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

76

Electrical System complaints

24%

Share of year

2

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

Sorento electrical system complaints by model year271 complaints2003: 32 complaints2004: 30 complaints2005: 52 complaints2006: 56 complaints2007: 39 complaints2008: 76 complaints2009: 22 complaints2011: 271 complaints2012: 139 complaints2013: 124 complaints2014: 161 complaints2015: 65 complaints2016: 114 complaints2017: 96 complaints2018: 29 complaints2019: 67 complaints2020: 18 complaints2021: 43 complaints2022: 27 complaints2023: 33 complaints2024: 10 complaints2025: 18 complaints
Sorento electrical system complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

20V088000Electrical SystemFebruary 14, 2020 · 228,829 units

Defect

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Sedona and 2007-2009 Sorento vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.

Consequence

An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the vehicle is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.

Remedy

Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the main junction box to prevent power from being directed to the HECU when the vehicle's ignition switch is turned off, free of charge. The recall began June 5, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC186.

What owners report

“I WAS IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT 8/18/17 TOSSED BACK AND FORTH LIKE A RAG DOLL MY AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY ON IMPACT UNTIL THE 4TH TIME AND I WAS KNOCK OUT UNCONSCIOUS. DON'T RECALL MY SEAT BELT WORKED I RECALL BEING TOSSED BACK AND FORTH BACK AND FORTH AND TOOK MY LAST BREATH. THIS IS MY 3 TIME DOING THIS.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 18, 2017 · crash

Common questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 2008 Kia Sorento have?

NHTSA has 76 complaints about the 2008 Kia Sorento electrical system — 24% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2008 Kia Sorento electrical system?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the electrical system: 20V088000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.