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2008 KIA Sorento

3 recalls Risk Grade: D+ Most severe issue: Critical

All recalls are free to repair at your local dealership. Contact your dealer to schedule service.

Known Safety Recalls

Critical #13V114000 Plain English
Component

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

Manufacturer
Kia Motors Corporation
What Happened
The stop lamp switch in your vehicle controls your brake lights, cruise control, and other essential safety features. It's the part that makes your brake lights shine when you press the brake pedal, and also lets you turn off the cruise control by pressing the pedal.
Risk if Unfixed
If the stop lamp switch fails, your brake lights might not turn on when you press the brake pedal, or you might not be able to turn off the cruise control. This could lead to a crash, especially if other drivers don't see you slowing down. In some cases, the transmission could even shift out of park without you meaning to, which could cause your car to roll away.
Free Fix
Your Kia dealer will replace the faulty stop lamp switch with a new one at no charge to you. You'll get a letter in May, and then another one when the parts are ready. Just schedule the repair and they'll take care of it.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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. 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 switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
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 to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Original — 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. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
High Priority #11V473000 Plain English
Component

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE

Manufacturer
KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
What Happened
The front passenger air bag in your Sorento is designed to turn off when a child or small adult is in the seat. But in some cases, it might think an adult is a child and turn off the air bag when it shouldn't.
Risk if Unfixed
If the air bag turns off and you're in a frontal collision, you won't have the protection of the passenger air bag, which could increase your risk of injury.
Free Fix
Your Kia dealer will update the computer system controlling the passenger air bag, free of charge. This will ensure the air bag turns on when it's supposed to. Schedule the repair as soon as you get the recall notice.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 SORENTO PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 15, 2006 THROUGH NOVEMBER 27, 2007. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG MAY BE TURNED OFF WHEN AN ADULT IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG IS DESIGNED TO BE TURNED OFF IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES INCLUDING WHEN CHILDREN AND SMALL ADULTS ARE SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THERE IS A CHILD RESTRAINT IN THAT SEAT OR THE SEAT IS NOT OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE'S OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS), WHICH CLASSIFIES THE OCCUPANT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, MAY MISCLASSIFY AN ADULT PASSENGER AS A CHILD OR CHILD SEAT AND IMPROPERLY TURN OFF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. WHEN THE AIR BAG IS DEACTIVATED THE "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE CENTER INSTRUMENT PANEL.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IS TURNED OFF WHEN THE OCS MISCLASSIFIES AN ADULT PASSENGER. WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF, THE FRONT PASSENGER WILL NOT HAVE THE PROTECTION OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAGS IN SOME FRONTAL COLLISIONS, THUS INCREASING THE RISK OF OCCUPANT INJURY.
Original — Remedy
KIA WILL UPDATE THE PROGRAMMING IN THE SORENTO OCS CONTROL MODULE AT NO CHARGE. THE RECALL REMEDY IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE UNDER SERVICE CAMPAIGN SC076. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-333-4542.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Moderate #20V088000 Plain English
Component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Manufacturer
Kia Motors America
What Happened
The Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module in your vehicle is a critical safety component that helps prevent wheel lockup during hard braking. Moisture can seep into this module and cause an electrical short.
Risk if Unfixed
If this happens, your engine compartment could catch fire, even when your car is turned off. This is a serious risk of injury, especially if you're near the vehicle.
Free Fix
Your Kia dealer will install a safety relay to prevent the fire risk, and this repair is completely free. You'll receive a notification with instructions on how to schedule the fix, and you should take it in as soon as possible to stay safe.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Sedona and 2007-2009 Sorento vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the vehicle is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.
Original — Remedy
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the main junction box to prevent power from being directed to the HECU when the vehicle's ignition switch is turned off, free of charge. The recall began June 5, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC186.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →

Browse by Component

EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1 recall
AIR BAGS
1 recall
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1 recall

Other KIA Sorento Years

2013
5 recalls
2012
5 recalls
2011
8 recalls
2010
2 recalls
2009
3 recalls
2007
4 recalls
2006
1 recall
2003
1 recall

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