Even after having the ESC and relay box replaced the vehicle has become much worse. It's shuts down my accelerator pedal and won't move I have to shut it off completely for it to reset its extremely unsafe and is now affecting my job. And the ability to take car of my son. And Kia wants to charge me $200 plus for a diagnosis when it clearly keeps shutting down the vehicle and the esc off light is on. I even replaced the accelerator pedal assembly $180 and it did not fix the problem please help. Also this has been an on going issue since August 2020 and even after running diagnostic on it. I keep getting the run around from everyone stating a different issue each time.
2008 Kia Sorento acceleration problems
28 complaints (13% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 59,200. 3 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 28
- of this car's complaints
- 13%
- typical mileage
- 59,200
- crashes
- 3
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Kia Sorento acceleration problems in other years
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Throttle control system vulnerabilities
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the federal safety agency received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003. Accordingly, Model Year (MY) 2005-2016 Kia Optima/K5, MY 2006-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, MY 2006-2015 Hyundai Sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire that can be reviewed at under reference (ODI) number 11439675.On November 12, 2021, ODI opened Defect Petition DP21-003 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI performed trend analyses of the VOQs related to vehicle speed control issues for all the subject vehicles and found that none of the 52 Model/Model Year Hyundai/Kia vehicles demonstrated any actionable trend that warranted an investigation.Petitioners submitted 1119 VOQs and non-VOQ cases in which sudden uncommanded acceleration (SUA) or loss of motive power (LOMP) incidents were alleged.For the 1119 reports, 220 were incidents involving crashes, from which 69 subject Hyundai-Kia vehicles were inspected by Hyundai/Kia dealer technicians, Hyundai/Kia engineers, and/or third-party representatives.ODI found the inspections identified no vehicle defects related to the ETC system.Of the 220 crash-involved reports, 13 Event Data Recorder (EDR) records were downloaded successfully and 11 of those indicated driver error: (i.e.) pedal misapplication.A condition where the accelerator pedal is mistakenly applied instead of the brake pedal when the driver wants to stop the vehicle.In addition, ODI reviewed a scientific journal paper published in Forensic Science International in 2016 by Mr. Park et al ., as well as related test videos. ODI does not believe there is any evidence of uncontrollable SUA occurrences in any of the tests reviewed. the federal safety agency's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) reviewed the allegations regarding the potential noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 124.Based on the information provided, the Agency concludes there is insufficient information for us to determine if a possible non-compliance exists.Finally, both Hyundai and Kia informed ODI that all their vehicles manufactured after 2012 were equipped with an ETC management system, in which the engine speed will go to idle when the system sees signals from both the brake pedal and accelerator pedal at the same time; this is commonly known as the brake-throttle override system.After thoroughly assessing the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in the federal safety agency's possession, information submitted by Hyundai and Kia in response to an Information Request letter, and the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner's allegation, the federal safety agency does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. After full consideration of appropriate factors, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing the federal safety agency?s reasons for denial of the petition will be published.
DP21003
What 2008 Kia Sorento owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
When it's humid outside or there is any kind of moisture in the air my check engine light comes on along with the ESC light. The car seems bogged down and wont go above 2000 RPM. It takes 15 minutes just to get the car up to 50 MPH and thats with the gas peddle pushed all the way to the floor. It does it mainly when I'm driving on the highway which is scary. It looses most of its acceleration power
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 kia sorento. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle decelerated independently to 30 MPH and failed to accelerate. The contact mentioned that the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer however, a technician reviewed the vehicle and diagnosed that the throttle actuator needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2008 kia sorento. While driving approximately 35 MPH approaching a traffic light, the brake pedal was applied and the vehicle suddenly surged at a high rate of speed. The contact crashed into the preceding vehicle, which caused that vehicle to crash into a third vehicle. The driver side air bag deployed with extreme force. The contact sustained injuries to the head, neck, and a whiplash. The contact was also injured by the seat belt. Medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a yard and destroyed. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v114000 (exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 122,000.
After stopping and looking for oncoming cars and starting again, the car jettisoned causing me to hit another car and the car wouldn't stop for about a half block.
When driving up hill at 35 MPH in automatic drive our vehicle loses power. When pushing down on gas pedal, it does not respond. We took it to a local mechanic who test drove it and experienced same problem. When using manual shift the car doe not lose power and responds when going up hill. We were told it goes from first gear to fifth gear in about 500 feet when in automatic drive. Local mechanic called kia deals in spokane and I went to edmark kia in nampa each dealership claims to know nothing about this problem. Esc light is also on.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 kia sorento. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 10 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed and hesitated to respond. The ESC and the engine warning indicators illuminated. The failure recurred on five separate occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to locate the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000. Ma 10/15/2015
Approximately 2 years ago, the ESC light would come on and the vehicle had no acceleration and pulling out into oncoming traffic would be very scary to say the least. It would be very sluggish and no acceleration and oncoming traffic would come up on you before you could get it going. I carried it to the kia dealership where it was purchased and they said it was a faulty accelerator and replaced it at a cost of 350 dollars. It has started doing it again. This is very dangerous and I am afraid to drive it and don't have 350 dollars to try and fix it again. This is a serious problem that I have found tons of complaints with this. Something needs to be done and it should not be at the cost of the consumer for a faulty product.
The ESC light has been coming on since the beginning of 2014. When this happens there is very little acceleration and it is difficult to get to the speed limit. The dealership said it is a chip that needs to be replaced and it would cost about $3,000. We were also told it was not a guarantee it would still fix the issue. We were also told that this issue could cause the car to go from drive from drive to park while driving. This alone is a danger in itself causing harm to us and to others in traffic. When the light is on the car does not accelerate and trying to merge into traffic is difficult especially up hill. I talked to kia customer care and they said they would talk to the dealership. The person I talked to was not very helpful. If this a chip issue then it should be a recall or at least something that kia should fix. It is something that is out of control of the owner. There are times when the light is off and the vehicle runs ok. I think this should be a situation that should be handled with great urgency before there is a serious accident.
Gas pedal (or computer program) very touchy. When someone who is not aware of issue drives car, as they start to press gas pedal it will lurch forward. Was driving with daughter who went to step on gas and vehicle jumped forward and we almost hit another vehicle. This has happened multiple times with other drivers, including myself who is well aware of issue and makes sure not to press pedal quickly, but it still lurches on occasion.
Questions about the 2008 Kia Sorento acceleration
Does the 2008 Kia Sorento have acceleration problems?
Owners have filed 28 complaints about the acceleration of the 2008 Kia Sorento, 13% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2008 Kia Sorento acceleration problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 59,200 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2008 Kia Sorento acceleration?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Kia Sorento have the most acceleration problems?
The Kia Sorento model years with the most acceleration complaints are 2011 (63 complaints), 2016 (62 complaints) and 2014 (31 complaints).
Other 2008 Kia Sorento problems
Airbags 66Driver assistance 44Engine 43Electrical 32Brakes 27Transmission 23Lights 13Suspension 6Fuel system 5Steering 5Tires 5Body 2Visibility 2Wheels 2Seat belts 1Seats 1
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