Model year
2008 Kia Sportage
NHTSA lists 3 recalls and 98 complaints for the 2008 Kia Sportage (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). 1 recall marked park outside. The components listed on the most complaints are ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (26), ENGINE (17), SERVICE BRAKES (15). NHTSA lists 1 investigation with no close date in the file. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 19–22 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,050–$3,550, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 304 complaints
- 2001 228 complaints
- 2002 234 complaints
- 2005 68 complaints
- 2006 111 complaints
- 2007 77 complaints
- 2008 98 complaints
- 2009 80 complaints
- 2010 20 complaints
- 2011 181 complaints
- 2012 392 complaints
- 2013 381 complaints
- 2014 125 complaints
- 2015 146 complaints
- 2016 134 complaints
- 2017 403 complaints
- 2018 164 complaints
- 2019 71 complaints
- 2020 162 complaints
- 2021 54 complaints
- 2022 46 complaints
- 2023 193 complaints
- 2024 75 complaints
- 2025 55 complaints
- 2026 27 complaints
- 2027 1 complaints
Recalls
22V800000 · Oct 24, 2022
Park outsideSERVICE 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.
16V815000 · Nov 10, 2016
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…
13V114000 · Apr 1, 2013
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.…
Complaints
98 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 2, fire flag on 24, injury field 5, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| AQ23002 | Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE | Nov 17, 2023 | No close date in the file |
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sportage 2WD · 2L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 | 25 | 21 | — | — | $3,200 |
| Sportage 2WD · 2L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 | 25 | 22 | — | — | $3,050 |
| Sportage 2WD · 2.7L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 17 | 23 | 20 | — | — | $3,350 |
| Sportage 4WD · 2L · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 | 24 | 21 | — | — | $3,200 |
| Sportage 4WD · 2.7L · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 17 | 21 | 19 | — | — | $3,550 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2008 Kia Sportage at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.