The contact owned a 2008 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving 40-45 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle was shuddering. Additionally, the contact stated while driving on another occasion, the vehicle experienced brake failure, which nearly led to a crash. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact decided to total the vehicle. The vehicle was totaled. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.
2008 Kia Sportage brakes problems
23 complaints (23% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 93,000.
- owner complaints
- 23
- of this car's complaints
- 23%
- typical mileage
- 93,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Antilock: ABS warning light1
- Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module1
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 Sportage brakes problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 Kia Sportage brakes
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- A fire increases the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures and other vehicles until the recall repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and replace the HECU, its wiring harness, and its fuses, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 22, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC253.
Recall number 22V800000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V‑520, 20V‑543, 21V‑161, 21V‑160, 21V‑303, 22V‑056, 22V‑810, and 23V‑651. Kia recalls 16V‑815, 20V‑518, 20V‑519, 21V‑137, 21V‑331, 22V‑051, 22V‑800, and 23V‑652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.
AQ23002
What 2008 Kia Sportage owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2008 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V800000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2008 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the brakes locked up. The contact removed the fuses. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. While his daughter was driving, an abnormal dinging sound was detected. The contact changed the calipers and noticed that the ABS box was stuck. The brake warning light was illuminated. The contact put the fuse back in the vehicle. Additionally, the vehicle was leaking brake fluid. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who stated that the brake pedal was soft and not to drive the vehicle. The dealer informed the contact that the parts were not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V800000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.
My ABS module has my brakes locked up
The contact owns a 2008 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V800000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulics); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle needed to remain in dealer possession since the vehicle failed a safety test related to the recall. After several failed attempts to reach the dealer, the contact was informed that the part needed to repair the recall was discontinued and that she could pick up the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified, and a case was filed. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was unavailable. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2008 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that after driving at approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle was shifted into reverse and the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact shifted the gear shifter several times and then drove for a short distance before the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated; the vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact stated that the ABS Hydraulic Control Unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed and determined that the ABS Hydraulic Control Unit needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and unattended, the vehicle caught fire. The ABS warning light was illuminated before the failure. The fire department extinguished the fire. There were no reported injuries. A police report was filed under case number 22027268. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.
Smoke was pouring out from the passenger front side of the motor compartment. The fuses for the ABS (I think) were taken out so it would stop. I was a told a control module could have something to do with it.
While driving at a continuous speed of 55mph on the main road, the ESC light randomly came on and the car jolted into 1st gear. I was unable to move it and it was towed back to my house. Since then, the brake pedal goes to the floor without stopping the vehicle.
I was driving when the brakes was pressed there was a terrible noise and no brakes. The garage said that it was the ABS system. The brake fluid had leaked into the ABS box and shorted it out. They wanted 3100.00 dollars to fix it. I dont have that kind of money. Please help by getting kia to do a recall. My husband and I was ok. Please help before it happens to someone else. I am out of a vehicle because I cannot afford to get it fixed and it is a safety hazard. I tried talking to kia headquarters they were no help.
Questions about the 2008 Kia Sportage brakes
Does the 2008 Kia Sportage have brakes problems?
Owners have filed 23 complaints about the brakes of the 2008 Kia Sportage, 23% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2008 Kia Sportage brakes problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 93,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2008 Kia Sportage brakes?
Yes, 1 recall: 22V800000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Kia Sportage have bad brakes?
The Kia Sportage model years with the most brakes complaints are 1998 (71 complaints), 2000 (54 complaints) and 1999 (44 complaints).
Other 2008 Kia Sportage problems
Electrical 27Engine 22Body 13Transmission 12Driver assistance 9Lights 7Airbags 5Tires 4Fuel system 2Locks 2Suspension 2Visibility 2Acceleration 1Seat belts 1Steering 1Wheels 1
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2008 Kia Sportage?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history