Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Kia Sorento owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Even after having the ESC and relay box replaced the vehicle has become much worse. It's shuts down my accelerator pedal and won't move I have to shut it off completely for it to reset its extremely unsafe and is now affecting my job. And the ability to take car of my son. And Kia wants to charge me $200 plus for a diagnosis when it clearly keeps shutting down the vehicle and the esc off light is on. I even replaced the accelerator pedal assembly $180 and it did not fix the problem please help. Also this has been an on going issue since August 2020 and even after running diagnostic on it. I keep getting the run around from everyone stating a different issue each time.
Tl* the contact owned a 2008 Kia Sorento. While driving approximately 35 MPH approaching a traffic light, the brake pedal was applied and the vehicle suddenly surged at a high rate of speed. The contact crashed into the preceding vehicle, which caused that vehicle to crash into a third vehicle. The driver side air bag deployed with extreme force. The contact sustained injuries to the head, neck, and a whiplash. The contact was also injured by the seat belt. Medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a yard and destroyed. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 13V114000 (exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 122,000.
When driving up hill at 35 MPH in automatic drive our vehicle loses power. When pushing down on gas pedal, it does not respond. We took it to a local mechanic who test drove it and experienced same problem. When using manual shift the car doe not lose power and responds when going up hill. We were told it goes from first gear to fifth gear in about 500 feet when in automatic drive. Local mechanic called Kia deals in spokane and I went to edmark Kia in nampa each dealership claims to know nothing about this problem. ESC light is also on.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle decelerated independently to 30 MPH and failed to accelerate. The contact mentioned that the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer however, a technician reviewed the vehicle and diagnosed that the throttle actuator needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 10 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed and hesitated to respond. The ESC and the engine warning indicators illuminated. The failure recurred on five separate occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to locate the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000. Ma 10/15/2015
When it's humid outside or there is any kind of moisture in the air my check engine light comes on along with the ESC light. The car seems bogged down and wont go above 2000 RPM. It takes 15 minutes just to get the car up to 50 MPH and thats with the gas peddle pushed all the way to the floor. It does it mainly when I'm driving on the highway which is scary. It looses most of its acceleration power
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving into a parking space, the vehicle surged forward and crashed into a tree. There was one reported injury. The vehicle was towed away from the location. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileages were 27,000.
The ESC light has been coming on since the beginning of 2014. When this happens there is very little acceleration and it is difficult to get to the speed limit. The dealership said it is a chip that needs to be replaced and it would cost about $3,000. We were also told it was not a guarantee it would still fix the issue. We were also told that this issue could cause the car to go from drive from drive to park while driving. This alone is a danger in itself causing harm to us and to others in traffic. When the light is on the car does not accelerate and trying to merge into traffic is difficult especially up hill. I talked to Kia customer care and they said they would talk to the dealership. The person I talked to was not very helpful. If this a chip issue then it should be a recall or at least something that Kia should fix. It is something that is out of control of the owner. …
Driving 75 MPH on highway the ESC off light luminated and check engine light came on. Car lost acceleration and power (went from 75 MPH to 10 MPH instantly on hwy). Kia replaced the tps sensor and updated ECM module. One year later same event happened repeatedly. Dealer will not fix even with tech bulletin. Tried to contact Kia motors with no return response. At the current time the vehicle will not accelerate. Fastest it will go is 45mph even with acceleration pedal pushed all the way down. When you try to pull out or accelerate the vechicle looses power. Randomly the check engine and "ESC off" light will go off and car will accelerate but once over 65mph will lose all power has almosted caused several wrecks that would have caused an accident from behind. …
I have researched and found that other 2008 Kia sorrento owners have reported to Kia, about the ESC light coming on causing lost of power in the vehicle. Kia is content to charge customer a diagnostic fee, fix part that do not need to be fixed when clearly there is a defect in the vehicle. When you mention to them the complaints filed about the problem, they indicate the have never heard anything about it instead of taking the time to look on safecar.gov, they continue to brush it off. Not sure how being on the hwy driving at 70 MPH and your vehicle suddenly dropping to 20mph is a customer problem. …
NHTSA investigations
Throttle control system vulnerabilities
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003.
Acceleration complaints in other Sorento years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2008 Kia Sorento?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2008 Kia Sorento, 13% of the model year's 217 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2008 Kia Sorento acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2008 Kia Sorento, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2008 Kia Sorento acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 59,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.