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).
The contact owns a 2008 Kia Sorento. The contact stated upon reversing out of his garage, the brake pedal was depressed and emitted an abnormal sound. The ABS and the electronic stability control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the recall repair of NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V114000 (Exterior Lighting) was completed; however, the dealer informed the contact that the failure persisted, and he needed to pay a diagnostic fee to determine the cause of the failure. The contact stated that the recall remedy failed to correct the safety failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.
I bought my sorento used and the airbag light is lit on the front dash in both where the guages are and under the stereo. It doesnt matter if someone is in the seat or not. I found that there was a recall years ago so when i called Kia they told me that my vehicle had been repaired and I told them it must not have been or the repair didnt work. They then told me the date of repair. Crazy thing is they were saying it had been repaired a year before the recall was announced. I said really. Knowing Kia aint gonna pay for a repair that hadnt been part of a recall yet. Now with the newest recall its saying the brakelights might not come on when applied. But with my Sorento the brakelights wont turn off. No matter what you do even when you take the key out and lock the doors, the brakelights remain on. Right when this started the ESC OFF light on the dash came on. …
The ABS brakes in slippery/snowy/icy when pressed hard will make a noise and feel in the brake pedal that will be like a warning that they are going to lock up and you will go sliding. One time I went sliding into an intersection because this happened with the ABS brakes. The ABS light did not come on nor the ECS light because I was in 4x4. It started happening a year ago in winter time. Currently it has not been inspected or fixed.
I took my car to a mechanic. Said ABS Control Module failed. This is a safety issue and should be replaced. Brakes are not stopping as well as they should should and don't vibration while going down a steep incline. Had to push really hard for the brakes to stop. Just put me and my family at risk. No warning lights. During testing by the mechanic he noticed the car shifts to the side when putting on the brakes.
I have to push the brake pedal almost to the floor to stop the car. This vehicle has been like this for quite some time now .It's not master cylinder as that has been looked at serval times.I just don't know if the car brakes just won't work one day.I find this to be a huge safety issue.There was a class action suit for a defect with ABS control module is this the problem with the brakes?
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.
Was driving at a 35 MPH speed when I tried to break and instead the vehicle accelerated causing me to hit the vehicle I front of me. It was at the shop for repair for a week the breaks where checked. 2 hours after the car was out the shop I was turning when instead of breaking it accelerates again causing the veh to loose control and hit the curb. I only had the sub for 3 months and nearly cause accidents 3 times... Also on the highway the brakes won't work I have to press on the brake pedal very hard and still takes a long time to brake. The vehicle is not safe at all.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving 4 MPH, the vehicle overheated without warning. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V088000 (electrical system, service brakes, hydraulic). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to napleton's northlake Kia (3626 northlake blvd, palm beach gardens, fl 33403, [phone]) where the contact was informed that the remedy was not available. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 174,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V088000 (electrical system, service brakes, hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and informed the contact that the remedy was not available. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated intermittently on several occasions. The approximate failure mileage was 66,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
While driving down road, car was bearly pulling. Noticed smoke on front passenger side of car. Stopped and checked under hood and saw nothing. Walked around car and flames were coming out of wheel area. Had car towed. Had new caliper, rotor, and brake pads put on. Drove about a week. And began doing the same thing. Had car towed to mechanic shop, 4th day there the brakes went totally out. Car crashed through the door of shop and hit pole. Car in still at body shop some parts were hard to find. Still will have to get brakes fixed when I get car this week. I have been without my car since January 2013. This is March 27th 2013.
Brake complaints in other Sorento years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2008 Kia Sorento?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the brakes of the 2008 Kia Sorento, 12% of the model year's 217 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2008 Kia Sorento brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes 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 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to brakes 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.