Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
Purchased this vehicle from a Kia dealership now out of business in February 2009 as a new vehicle. The odometer reading today is 31000 miles. Despite regular Kia maintainance a few weeks ago we noticed sluggish acceleration and a hum at increased speed from the rear end. We took it to a Kia dealership and was diagnosed as entire rear axle assembly needed to be replaced as well as left rear tire. The service tech said it was unsafe without the repairs and the original Michelin left driver side tire was close to failure. I notice that nhtsaid# 10625749 complaint on this site is nearly identical. Authorized replacement of rear axle at a cost of $2219 and picked up vehicle yesterday and bought new tire from tire store. While car in Kia shop I noticed 10 year 100000 mile warranty covered rear axle so called Kia motors USA and opened a case. …
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 off then turn it back on sometimes this will take care of the problem for a short time. It looks like this has happened 3 times during hot days. This is very dangerous when driving with my kids in the backseat. If my car slows while on the highway I could end up causing quite an accident not to mention hurting myself or my family that is in the vehicle. Mileage on my vehicle at the time was approximately 88000 miles.
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 complaint was filed. The dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.
I have had nothing but problems with my 2008 Kia, first it was the front rotors replaced three times within 3 mos. After multiple diagnoses to figure out the problem. I have had acceleration problems, I just put 800.00 in new rotors and tires and fuel/air induction services. Then the other day driving 45 MPH the vehicle started to shake, making a thud thud thud noise in the front end, felt like I had a flat tire, I pulled over, no flat tires. I started driving again and it happened again, worse than the first time it sounded like a helicopter in my vehicle and it vibrated and while slowly driving it felt like it was gliding. …
Every 6 months the engine light and ecs off lights come on and the car loses power intermittently. This is dangerous when it happens on the freeway. I bought the car from carmax in July 2014. By November, it started to have the issue, it progressed at I checked it on the internet and saw a recall and brought it in to city Kia in orlando. The mechanic could not find an issue why the engine light was on and there was no clear code. However, when he replaced the recall lamp switch part it went away until now (oct 2015). It is clear to me that there is an issue with the electrical system that can cause the loss of power. There are numerous comments from others with the same issue and the same symptoms. I expect carmax and Kia understand there is an issue. I bought the car with 32K miles on it from carmax and it already had 2 previous owners. …
Tl contact owns a 2008 Kia Sorento. While driving 35 MPH, the contact experienced automatic transmission failure and took the vehicle to the dealer. The dealer offered no assistance, so the contact took the vehicle to another dealer on January 21, 2008. Two mechanics test drove the vehicle and acknowledged the failure; however, they needed to order the codes to make the repair. As of February 22, 2008, the dealer has yet to call the contact to schedule the repair work. The dealer informed her that the vehicle had to get used to the way she drove and that there was no failure. The contact also stated that there was an issue with the passenger side air bag. The dealer informed her that she had to sit in the vehicle a certain way. The contact stated that no matter how she sits, the light remains illuminated. The powertrain was unknown. …
After removing the gear from reverse to drive, the acceleration will not comply, goes less than 10 MPH while pressing on the gas. I stopped and switched back to park. Tried the drive gear again, and it was still not acknowledging the change, it responds like it's in neutral. I parked for a few minutes and turned off the vehicle. After 10 minutes I tried it again and it was fine. This has since happened on four different occasions. After the first incident I had the vehicle checked by a mechanic, told the transmission was fine, no sign of the problem. Problem has occurred in public areas where help May not be available should the gears not correct themselves. The problem use to occur only coming off a slanted parking area like a driveway, but it's started happening while parked on a leveled parking space also.
The vehicle is making a noise coming from the rear end. I had the dealer where I purchased the Kia Sorento diagnose the problem. They confirmed rear carrier assembly ( rear differential gears) needed to be replaced at a cost of $1942.00. Upon further research I found out it's a common problem with that year vehicle due to sub-standard supplier parts. Vechicle warranty 5yr/60,000 mlies ;not covered. I believe this is a premature and a manufacturer defect , that makes the vehicle unsafe and a danger on the road. The vehicle has lose power (not stalled) while driving the vehicle(not sure if related to problem.
After being parked with vehicle off, turned vehicle on and vehicle would only accelerate at a very slow speed, maybe 5 MPH. Tried to switch it to manual shift but it would not register. Turned vehicle off for a few minutes and turned it back on and it was back to normal. This has happened at least three times a month since and has not done it once for the dealer to figure out the problem. They always act like I am insane and don't know what I am talking about. Vehicle is now over 60,000 miles and the dealers could care less about my issue. It is so immensely frustrating.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Kia sorrento. The vehicle exhibited abnormal hesitation when accelerating from a complete stop and would only accelerate at a very low speed. After shutting the vehicle off and allowing it to sit for a few hours, the vehicle would operate as normal. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where upgrades were made to the computer system. The failure since recurred approximately 3 times. The vehicle was not taken back to the dealer for further repairs or diagnosis. The failure mileage was 20,000 and the current mileage was 25,000.
Transmission complaints in other Sorento years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2008 Kia Sorento?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2008 Kia Sorento, 11% of the model year's 217 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Kia Sorento transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 40,000 miles, and 30% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.