2008 Kia Sorento
Common problems & what to know before you buy
Before you message the seller, know the documented failure patterns, repair cost exposure, and risk level for the 2008 Kia Sorento.
Recalls on the 2008 Kia Sorento
Electrical system
Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.
Air bags: sensor/control module-inactive
THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG MAY BE TURNED OFF WHEN AN ADULT IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT.
Exterior lighting: switch
Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007…
Source: NHTSA
What 217 owners reported
Source: NHTSA
2008 Kia Sorento at a glance
- Trims
- EXLX
- Engine
- 3.8L 6-Cylinder
- Transmission
- Automatic 5-spd
- Drivetrain
- RWD, 4WD
- Fuel
- Gasoline
- Body style
- SUV
About the BL
The 2003-2009 Kia Sorento is the BL generation and, unusually for a vehicle that later became a unibody crossover, it was built on a body-on-frame chassis with a low-range transfer case and a solid rear axle in early years. Engines were a 3.5-liter V6 and, from 2007, a 3.8-liter V6, paired with a five-speed manual or a four- and later five-speed automatic. Rear-wheel drive was standard with four-wheel drive optional.
The frame-based layout gave the first Sorento genuine off-road and towing capability that its successors abandoned entirely, which is the main reason it retains a following. Interior quality was competitive for the price but well behind the class leaders. The XM generation that followed in 2011 moved to a unibody crossover platform.
As a used buy, the BL Sorento is a capable and inexpensive older SUV, but its age brings the usual concerns. Corrosion on the frame and body is the dominant structural issue and should govern the purchase decision on any vehicle from a salted-road region. Timing belt service on the 3.5-liter V6 is a scheduled item that is expensive to neglect. The 3.8-liter introduced for 2007 uses a timing chain. Fuel economy is poor by modern standards and is the main practical drawback.
Other Kia Sorento years
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Frequently asked questions
What are the common problems with the 2008 Kia Sorento?
Owners have filed 217 complaints about the 2008 Kia Sorento with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. There are 3 recall campaigns covering this model year. Squeezed's free research-backed buyer guide cross-references these against documented failure patterns and mileage-stage risks, sorted by severity, in about a minute.
Is the 2008 Kia Sorento reliable?
Reliability depends heavily on the specific configuration and how the car was maintained. Start with the 3 open recall campaigns on this model year and confirm the work was completed. Generate a Squeezed buyer guide for this exact vehicle to see a reliability snapshot, repair-cost exposure, and the questions to ask the seller before you buy.
Should I still get a pre-purchase inspection on a 2008 Kia Sorento?
Always. A Squeezed buyer guide is the triage step before the inspection: it shows you the documented failure patterns and what to check so you can decide which 2008 Kia Sorento listings are even worth a mechanic's time, then walk into the PPI knowing exactly what to look for.
Squeezed is a buyer guide based on public data and industry patterns, not a mechanical inspection. Always get a professional pre-purchase inspection before you buy.