Was parked and after driving to pick up please came back out and it was in flames
2008 Kia Sportage: fire, smoke or burning smell
16 of the 98 complaints about the 2008 Kia Sportage describe fire, smoke or burning smell.
- owner complaints
- 16
- of this car's complaints
- 16%
- typical mileage
- 125,000
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 2 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Fire, smoke or burning smell by model year
What owners say
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.
My kia sportage was parked in front of a garage was not turned on and was in park when the engine suddenly caught fire it sounded like a loud bomb. The front of the vehicle was destroyed the vehicle was not salvageable.
Tl* the contact owned a 2008 kia sportage. While the vehicle was parked, it caught fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to an insurance tow lot. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was destroyed. The VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v815000 (electrical system). The contact stated that an email was sent to the kia manufacturer with documented proof, but a response had not been received. The failure mileage was unknown.
I bought a 2008 kia sportage at osage beach mo on july 12, 2016. I sent it to ghana in august, 2016 and cleared from the port in november, 2016. The said car was parked for several hours at hospital on august 21, 2018 and caught fire at 10.00pm the same day. The fire service was called and put out the fire. After examination the stated it was electrical fire caused by the wiring harness. I then learnt after the incident that there had been a recall ( # 16v815000 / sc 138) issued on november 10, 2016 of which I wasn't notified. Attached, please find pictures of the damage kia sportage and original title. I am waiting for a detailed report form fire service department at essam, ghana, which I will send to your office upon receipt. By this complaint, I am there requesting kia motors america to repair all damages caused by the fire or replace the vehicle. Thank you for your attention.
Tl* the contact owned a 2008 kia sportage. While the vehicle was parked in the contact's driveway, the vehicle caught on fire from the engine compartment. The fire was extinguished by the fire department. A police report and a fire report were filed. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard and deemed destroyed. The dealer was not contacted for a determination of the failure. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v815000 (electrical system) after the vehicle was destroyed by the fire. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 125,000.
While driving on the interstate, the kia started to smoke then flames appeared. In about five minutes the entire car was engulfed in flames.
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, the ABS indicator lamp on the dash panel was illuminated. Brakes had been inspected, and were in good braking order. I have the vehicle available for inspection by any interested party.
Vehicle caught fire after being parked left running idle with lights on for 20 minutes , the fog light bulb melted it way through the housing and int the front bumper were open flames were visible and had to be put out
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. Replaced oil pan and moved car out of garage and in to parking area in front of second garage door near house. Car was parked about one hour when car ignited and caught fire. Fire originated on right front passenger side around ABS area and spread through engine and in to passenger area of car primarily on passenger side. Car a total loss, 112,000 miles on it.
Tl* the contact owned a 2008 kia sportage. The contact stated the vehicle caught fire. A fire report was filed. The fire department extinguished the fire. No injuries were sustained. The vehicle was destroyed. The VIN and failure mileage were not available. ..updated 10/26/16 *bf...updated 11/09/16 *bf ..
My sister in law's 08 kia sportage ex had all the dash warning lights come on, the code showed p0501 wheel speed sensor malfunction. I replaced rt frt sensor and still same code. Took it to local shop and they said something is shorted because they can't read all the lights on. I checked some fuses but found none blown. It seemed like the brakes were a little weak and I drove it for a test and noticed it was pulling hard to the right, then it started to pulse as if the ABS was stuck on. I turned for home and parked it. Next day went to try it again and it was dead, I charged battery, the door locks were clicking on/off and horn blowing. I unhooked battery terminals to charge battery and when it was fully charged I hooked it up and the ABS module on front passenger side of car was running and getting hot. Like some one else on this site, I'm sure it would have caught fire but I pulled the battery cables. After looking into purchasing the module I realize why kia has not recalled this part, price is around $1000 to $1800 for this ABS module. This is a dangerous problem with this car since you are dealing with brakes and also auto fires. Kia needs to step it up and recall this issue. I hope others who have experienced this problem also put in a complaint.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
Electrical system: wiring
- What is wrong
- Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 Kia Sportage vehicles manufactured August 9, 2007, to May 13, 2009. The wire harness cover on the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may be improperly sealed allowing water to get onto the HECU circuit board. If the water is contaminated with salt, such as could occur from melted snow, the wire harness connector pins may corrode and the circuit board may short circuit.
- Risk
- If the HECU short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 16V815000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2008 Kia Sportage fire or smoke
Is fire, smoke or burning smell a common problem on the 2008 Kia Sportage?
16 of 98 owner complaints about the 2008 Kia Sportage (16%) mention fire, smoke or burning smell. The model year with the most reports is 2017.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2008 Kia Sportage?
There is 1 recall and 2 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2008 Kia Sportage
VIN decoder
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