2008 Kia Sportage: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2008 Kia Sportage: 3 recalls, 98 owner complaints and up to 22 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #13V114000 · 2013 · 980,377 vehicles
What's wrong: Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 rondo and sportage, model year 2007-2011 sorento, model year 2007 sedona, model year 2010-2011 soul, and model year 2011 optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp…
Why it matters: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'on' position, the transmission shifter May be able to be moved out of park without first applying the brake. This May lead…
The fix: 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.
Electrical Vehicle recall #16V815000 · 2016 · 71,704 vehicles
What's wrong: The wire harness cover on the hydraulic electronic control unit (hecu) May be improperly sealed allowing water to get onto the hecu circuit board. If the water is contaminated with salt, such as could occur from melted snow, the wire harness connector pins May corrode and the circuit board May short circuit.
Why it matters: If the hecu short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.
The fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the connector pins for corrosion, if no corrosion is found, the connector cover will be replaced. If corrosion is present, the dealer will replace the hecu assembly and the connector cover, free of charge. The recall began on November 28, 2016.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #22V800000 · 2022 · 71,704 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A fire increases the risk of injury.
The fix: 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 of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 22, 2022.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 24 mention a fire, 5 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (27): the most common themes are fire / smoke (16), electrical failure (16), warning light on (4).
- Engine (17): the most common themes are fire / smoke (7), electrical failure (5), stalls / loses power (4).
- Brakes (15): the most common themes are warning light on (4), noise or vibration (3).
- Body & structure (13): the most common themes are rust / corrosion (3).
The 2008 Kia Sportage has 98 owner complaints, ranking #18 of 31 Sportage model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 152). Complaints peaked in 2016 (13 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 8 years old, at a median of 80,500 miles. Neighboring years: 2007 (77 complaints, 2 recalls), 2009 (80 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 25 | 22 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 25 | 21 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 24 | 21 | Regular |
| 2.7 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 23 | 20 | Regular |
| 2.7 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 21 | 19 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2008 Kia Sportage.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2008 Kia Sportage have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2008 Kia Sportage. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2008 Kia Sportage problems?
Owners have filed 98 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (27), engine (17), brakes (15).
What gas mileage does the 2008 Kia Sportage get?
EPA ratings run up to 22 mpg combined (2.0 L, Manual 5-spd), across 5 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2008 Kia Sportage repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.