2008 kia Sorento airbags problems

critical 61 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100

Complaints

Recalls

Crashes

Avg fix

$1,100

Related recalls

severe NHTSA 11V473000 07/09/2011

KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 SORENTO PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 15, 2006 THROUGH NOVEMBER 27, 2007

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.

Fix: 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.

What owners are reporting 9 most recent

airbags · filed 12/26/2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORRENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH IN SNOWY WEATHER, HE ATTEMPTED TO AVOID CRASHING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND SWERVED OFF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT TRAVELED OVER A GRASSY AREA BEFORE CRASHING INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT STRUCK HER HEAD ON THE WINDSHIELD BUT WAS NOT TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITA…

airbags · filed 12/18/2011

1. A WHINING NOISE DEVELOPED AROUND 40K AND PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE. WAS TOLD THE DIFFERENTIAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. COME TO FIND OUT IT WAS A FAULTY BEARING. 2. PASSENGER SIDE SEAT AIRBAG LIGHTS COME ON FOR NO REASON STATING THAT AIRBAGS ARE OFF EVEN WHEN THERE IS AN ADULT PASSENGER IN THE SEAT 3. SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND CAR IS LITERALLY NOT ABLE TO ACCELERATE, DUE TO SENSOR THAT CONTROLS ACC…

airbags · filed 12/03/2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ESC, PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG, AND MOTOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED BEFORE THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V473000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,00…

airbags · filed 11/27/2009

WE PURCHASED A 2008 KIA SORENTO FROM KIA OF BRADLEY, ILLINOIS, LAST NOVEMBER. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT SIGNALS THAT THE AIR BAG IS OFF, EVEN THOUGH SOMEBODY IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THEN, THAT IF YOU WERE IN A FRONT END ACCIDENT AND THE LIGHT IS STATING THE AIR BAG IS OFF, IT WILL NOT DEPLOY. WE HAVE COMPLAINED NUMEROUS TIMES TO KIA OF BRADLEY, TALKED WITH THE REGION…

airbags · filed 11/21/2010

2008 KIA SORENTO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. 38 Y W/F SITTING IN DRIVER'S SEAT, VEHICLE NOT RUNNING AND NO ONE WAS AROUND VEHICLE. AIRBAG DEPLOYED STRIKING FEMALE ON LEFT SIDE CAUSING INJURY TO ABDOMEN, ARM, SHOULDER AND FACE. ACCORDING TO KIA COMPUTER MALFUNCTION CAUSED PROBLEM. GLAD SHE WAS WAITING ON OTHER SON TO LEAVE CHURCH. KIA'S SOLUTION IS TO REPLACED AIRBAG SYSTEM. VE…

airbags · filed 11/17/2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE'S PASSENGER ALERT SYSTEM, WHICH INFORMS WHEN THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED, REMAINED ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE W…

airbags · filed 11/13/2015

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON IN DASHBOARD AFTER STARTING THE CAR AND STAYED ON, ALSO LIGHT STATING PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF GOES ON AN OFF. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERS BACK ON 8/9/12 FOR PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT, SUPPOSEDLY IT WAS REPAIRED BUT STILL HAPPENING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR AIR BAG LIGHT IN DASH WAS ADVISED B1448 OCS, PASSENGER BOTTOM SEAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED WHICH WOULD COST $2219.…

airbags · filed 11/12/2008

I HAVE 2008 KIA SORENTO. ON THE EVENING I BOUGHT THE CAR, I WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON STATING THAT THE AIRBAG WAS OFF. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE IS A NATIONWIDE BACKORDER FOR THE PART AND NOT TO ALLOW ANYONE TO SIT IN THE FRONT SEAT. THIS WAS A MONTH AGO THEY STILL CANNOT GET THE PART. I WILL BE TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THIS FRIDA…

airbags · filed 11/10/2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG OFF WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER FOR A SECOND OPINION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAIL…

Common questions

How serious is the airbags problem on the 2008 kia Sorento?

It's a serious issue. 61 complaints have been filed, including 9 reports involving a crash and 3 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.

At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?

Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.

What does it cost to fix?

Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.

Are there any recalls related to airbags?

Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover airbags issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.