2008 Kia Sorento electrical system problems
32 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the electrical system on the 2008 Kia Sorento — 15% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“My 2008 Kia Sorento parked inside a garage for 2 days, not running, not idling, without the key in the ignition, all of a sudden cut fire by itself, consuming the entire engine compartment and part of the front seat, and also caused substantial damage to the the garage. Filed a claim with Kia which…”
filed Feb 22, 2026
“My ABS sent codes saying there's moisture in the ABS Module,Brake Light Switch may malfunction are cause Accidents due to malfunction of Brake Lights...”
filed Feb 19, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related recalls
- Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical shortCampaign 20V088000 · Feb 14, 2020
Related service bulletins
TSB - USE OF AFTERMARKET USB CHARGING CABLES IN USB/12V PORTS - This article provides information regarding the use of USB ports and 12V power outlets to connect/charge mobile phones. Customers may experience issues…
PS443 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 4, 2016
Electrical System problems in other Sorento years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Sorento | 18 | 26% |
| 2024 Sorento | 10 | 28% |
| 2023 Sorento | 35 | 32% |
| 2022 Sorento | 28 | 15% |
| 2021 Sorento | 45 | 19% |
| 2020 Sorento | 19 | 15% |
| 2019 Sorento | 67 | 16% |
| 2018 Sorento | 29 | 12% |
| 2017 Sorento | 93 | 12% |
| 2016 Sorento | 106 | 9% |
| 2015 Sorento | 57 | 8% |
| 2014 Sorento | 152 | 15% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2008 Kia Sorento
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.