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2008 Kia Sportage electrical problems
severe 22 complaints filed with NHTSA
· avg repair $850
Complaints
22
Recalls
1
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$850
Related recalls
severeNHTSA 16V81500010/11/2016
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 Kia Sportage vehicles manufactured August 9, 2007, to May 13, 2009
If the HECU short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.
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. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC138.
What owners are reporting
9 most recent
electrical
· filed 12/29/2016
2008 KIA SPORTAGE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REPLACEMENT PARTS NOT AVAILABLE TO REPAIR HYDRAULIC ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT RECALL NOTICE. *SMD
electrical
· filed 12/20/2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V815000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCON…
electrical
· filed 12/14/2015
CAR WAS PARKED FOR REPAIRS AND NOT DRIVEN FOR MANY MONTHS OTHER THAN MOVING AROUND OUR PARKING AREA DUE TO DASHBOARD LIGHTS OF ABS, ESC, TRACTION CONTROL, BRAKE LIGHTS LIT. HAD DIAGNOSTICS DONE ON CAR DUE TO ALL LIGHTS ON DASH LIGHTING, ABS, BRAKE, ESC, TRACTION CONTROL. DIAGNOSTICS VIA SHORKEY KIA SHOWED ABS BAD ALONG WITH OIL PAN RUSTING DUE TO WISHING TO GET IT ROAD WORTHY AND INSPECTED. REPLA…
electrical
· filed 12/13/2017
12/03/17, 03:15 A.M. WHILE PARKED, NOT RUNNING, VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD AND BECAME FULLY ENGULFED. VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR SEVERAL HOURS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. CAR WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. RESIDENCE WAS BUILT WITH VINYL SIDING, AND FRONT OF HOUSE WAS DAMAGED (MELTED VINYL). PARKED AT PRIVATE RESIDENCE. FAMILY ASLEEP INSIDE RESIDENCE WHEN FIRE ERUPTED. FOR 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO FIRE, T…
electrical
· filed 12/12/2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPORTAGE. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, IT MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO START AFTER MORE THAN TWO ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. A FIRE ERUPTED AND EXTINGUISHED ITSELF. THE VEHICLE…
electrical
· filed 11/19/2015
VEHICLE WAS SITTING FOR HOURS IN DRIVEWAY. SMOKE BEGAN POURING FROM UNDER HOOD AND DAMAGED UNDERHOOD ACCESSORIES SUCH AS HEADLAMP HOUSING,ABS MODULE, PAINT, WINDSHIELD WASHER RESERVOIR. THE WIRING HARNESS WAS DAMAGED, THE EXTERIOR PAINT WAS BLISTERED AND NOW THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE DRIVEN. THE FIRE APPARENTLY BEGAN IN THE ABS MODULE AT THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL APRON. EVERYTHING PLASTIC IS DAMAGED AND S…
electrical
· filed 11/13/2013
THIS IS PART 2 OF 3... WE GOT A NEW BATTERY INSTALLED AT ADVANCED AUTO. CAR RAN FINE. THE NEXT MORNING , SHE STARTED THE CAR AND THEN WENT INTO THE HOUSE. MY NIECE WAS THERE AND SAID SHE HEARD A POP AND LOOK OUTSIDE TO SEE THE CAR ON FIRE. THE WHOLE FRONT END INCLUDING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WAS BURNT TO A CRISP. I BELIEVE WHAT HAPPENED WAS A FAULTY PART IN THE ABS (CAUSING THE LIGHT T…
electrical
· filed 11/13/2013
SHE IS 73 YEARS OLD AND ON A FIXED INCOME. SHE HAS ALREADY PAID THOUSANDS FOR THE CAR AND NOW DOES NOT HAVE A CAR DUE TO A FAULTY PART. NO CAR SHOULD CATCH ON FIRE DUE TO NORMAL USE. NOW SHE IS GOING TO HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO PAY FOR ANOTHER CAR. HOPEFULLY THAT CAR MANUFACTURER PRODUCES A VEHICLE THAT DOES NOT JUST CATCH FIRE AT RANDOM AND IF IT DOES, THEY TAKE CREDIT FOR BUILDING AND SELLING Y…
electrical
· filed 11/13/2013
THIS WILL BE 1 OF 3 PART STATEMENT... ABOUT A WEEK AGO (GIVE OR TAKE A FEW DAYS), A COUPLE OF MY MOTHER'S 2008 KIA SPORTAGE'S DASH LIGHTS CAME ON. THE ABS LIGHT, THE ESC LIGHT, AND I THINK ONE OTHER (POSSIBLY THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT BUT MIND YOU THIS IS NOT MY CAR AND I AM NOT THAT FAMILIAR WITH HER DASH). SHE WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR A PART THAT WAS CAUSING ONE OF THE LIGHTS TO …
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2008 Kia Sportage?
It's a meaningful issue. 22 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical 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 $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover electrical 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.
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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