2008 Kia Sorento Lights Problems
8 owner-reported lights complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Lights Recalls (1)
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. 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.
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. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.
Owner Complaints (8)
When backing out of your garage, you pressed the brake pedal and heard an abnormal sound. Your ABS and electronic stability control warning lights came on. The dealer completed a recall repair but said the problem persisted and you'd need to pay for a diagnostic to find the real cause. The recall didn't fix the safety issue, and your vehicle hasn't been diagnosed or repaired yet.
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Your driver's side airbag warning light stays on continuously, while the passenger side airbag appears to be working normally. During highway driving, your interior lights (except for manual push-button lights and dashboard lights) won't turn on automatically like they should.
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THE STARTER BURNED OUT AND THE STARTER RELAY IS STICKING. IT STARTED STICKING AND MAKING FUNNY NOISES AROUND MID OCTOBER OR BEGINNING OF NOVEMBER 2017 AND ACUTALLY BURNED OUT DECEMBER 8, 2017 AND WAS REPLACED DECEMBER 9, 2017. NOW THE STARTER WENT OUT AGAIN JANUARY 16, 2018. ALSO I HAD MY DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT BULB REPLACED AROUND JULY OR AUGUST 2017 AND NOW THE SAME DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT IS OUT AGAIN.
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT BULBS AT LEAST 3 TIMES IN THE 3 YEARS I HAVE OWNED MY CAR. JUST HAD MY RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE REPLACED AGAIN, WAS WORKING IMMEDIATELY AFTER BEING REPLACED, AND NOW THE NEXT MORNING WHEN I GET IN MY CAR NEITHER HEADLIGHT WORKS. I AM A SINGLE MOM ON A FIXED INCOME AND I CANNOT AFFORD TO KEEP REPLACING THESE BULBS AT $20 EACH TIME.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE BRAKE LAMP FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH GROUND WIRE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V114000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 02/05/16*LJ UPDATED 4/23/18*JB *CN
DIM LIGHTS BOTH QUIT AT THE SAME TIME IN EARLY MORNING (DARK) DRIVING. *TR
ESC OFF LIGHT COMES ON, SUDDEN LOSS OF ACCELERATION, HEAD LIGHTS CONSTANTLY NEEDING TO BE CHANGED. MIDDLE SEAT BELT IN BACK MALFUNCTIONS BY NOT UNLOCKING AT TIMES. *TR
FROM THE FIRST DAY I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE, I'VE NOTICED A PROBLEM WITH THE HEADLIGHTS VISIBILITY. WHEN DRIVING, THE HEADLAMPS ARE NOT AIMED OR FOCUSED TO SEE MORE THAN TWO CAR LENGTHS IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. I WENT BACK TO KIA AND HAD THEM CHECK IT OUT. THEY SAID THE LIGHTS WERE ADJUSTED AS FAR UP AS THE STATE ALLOWS. I CONTACTED KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY CLAIM THEY HAVEN'T HAD ANY COMPLAINTS. THE VISIBILITY WITH THE HEADLIGHTS IS TERRIBLE. THE HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT ADJUSTED HIGH ENOUGH TO SEE WHEN NIGHT DRIVING. YOU CAN ONLY SEE TWO CAR LENGTHS IN FRONT OF YOU AND IF DEPENDING ON THE TERRAIN OF THE ROAD OR IF THERE IS NO OTHER AREA LIGHTING, I.E. STREET LIGHTS, STORE LIGHTS OR OTHER COMMERCIAL LIGHTING, THE AREA BEYOND TWO CAR LENGTHS IS COMPLETELY BLACK.. THE VISIBILITY IS HORRIBLE AND UNSAFE. IT'S AT THE POINT, THAT WE'RE AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR AT NIGHT. *TR