Most common 2008 Kia Sportage problems
Share of the 98 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Kia Sportage complaints by model year
Best Sportage years: 2019, 2014. Years to avoid: 2023, 2025, 2017, 2024, 2012. Compare all years →
2008 Kia Sportage recalls (3)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2008-2009 Sportage vehicles previously recalled under recall 16V-815. An engine compartment fire originating from around the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may occur while parked or driving.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures and other vehicles until the recall repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and replace the HECU, its wiring harness, and its fuses, as necessary, free…
Electrical system › Wiring
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 Kia Sportage vehicles manufactured August 9, 2007, to May 13, 2009. The wire harness cover on the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may be improperly sealed allowing water to get onto the HECU circuit board.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the connector pins for corrosion, if no corrosion is found, the connector cover will be replaced.
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles.
Remedy: Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2008 Kia Sportage:
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando.
What 2008 Kia Sportage owners say
Electrical system all 27 →
Smoke was pouring out from the passenger front side of the motor compartment. The fuses for the ABS (I think) were taken out so it would stop. I was a told a control module could have something to do with it.
I bought a 2008 Kia Sportage at osage beach mo on July 12, 2016. I sent it to ghana in August, 2016 and cleared from the port in November, 2016. The said car was parked for several hours at hospital on August 21, 2018 and caught fire at 10.00 pm the same day. The fire service was called and put out the fire. After examination the stated it was electrical fire caused by the wiring harness. I then learnt after the incident that there had been a recall ( # 16V815000 / sc 138) issued on November 10, 2016 of which I wasn't notified. Attached, please find pictures of the damage Kia Sportage and original title. I am waiting for a detailed report form fire service department at essam, ghana, which I will send to your office upon receipt. By this complaint, I am there requesting Kia motors America to repair all damages caused by the fire or replace the vehicle. Thank you for your attention.
Brakes all 23 →
The contact owns a 2008 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and unattended, the vehicle caught fire. The ABS warning light was illuminated before the failure. The fire department extinguished the fire. There were no reported injuries. A police report was filed under case number 22027268. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the brakes locked up. The contact removed the fuses. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. While his daughter was driving, an abnormal dinging sound was detected. The contact changed the calipers and noticed that the ABS box was stuck. The brake warning light was illuminated. The contact put the fuse back in the vehicle. Additionally, the vehicle was leaking brake fluid. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who stated that the brake pedal was soft and not to drive the vehicle. The dealer informed the contact that the parts were not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V800000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was not contacted. …
Engine & cooling all 22 →
The radiator fan component was smoking. The car is available at anytime for inspection. I definitely feared that the car was going to explode in front of my baby cousins and elderly Aunt. The car has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealship or independent service center. It also has not been inpected by manufacturer or police, insurance. The vehicle was not going faster than 30 mph, when parked, the radiator expelled the all the water on floor. It began to let out white smoke, and than black smoke. A lot of black smoke, and than a loud pop sound. The hood of the car melted shut. Everything that surrounds the radiator and battery was melted.
The contact owned a 2008 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving 40-45 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle was shuddering. Additionally, the contact stated while driving on another occasion, the vehicle experienced brake failure, which nearly led to a crash. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact decided to total the vehicle. The vehicle was totaled. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.
2008 Kia Sportage engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 20 / 25 / 22 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 25 / 21 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 19 / 24 / 21 |
| 2.7L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 23 / 20 |
| 2.7L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 17 / 21 / 19 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Kia Sportage a good car?
Based on 98 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 Sportage rates better than average: 50% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Sportage at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Kia Sportage?
The electrical system — 27 complaints, 28% of all complaints for this model year, most often about 12v/24v/48v battery. Next are the brakes (23) and engine & cooling (22).
How many recalls does the 2008 Kia Sportage have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2008 Kia Sportage, the most recent from October 24, 2022 (control unit/module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Kia Sportage?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2019 and 2014. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2023, 2025, 2017, 2024 and 2012. See the full Kia Sportage years comparison.
At what mileage do 2008 Kia Sportage problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 82,000 miles; 30% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.