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: check engine light
8 of the 98 complaints about the 2008 Kia Sportage describe check engine light.
- owner complaints
- 8
- of this car's complaints
- 8%
- typical mileage
- 117,000
- recalls
- 0
Is there a fix? 2 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below
Check engine light by model year
What owners say
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 there was an abnormal burning odor detected. The vehicle failed to drive forward or reverse as needed. Additionally, the brakes seized. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the ABS hydraulic module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle back to the used car dealer where she purchased the vehicle and was informed that the 02 sensors and another unknown component needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 129,232.
Kia is ripping people off to the tune of $1,700 to $1,800 for their faulty ABS brake controllers plus labor. It is a widely know problem that brake fluid seeps out of the back of this unit onto the circuit board and causes a variety of safety and mechanical issues. A year and a half ago I experienced a problem with the ESC traction light coming on, followed by a flashing 4x4 light and then finally a check engine light. The worst part about this is that it then slams itself into first gear going down the road! Yes, you heard that correctly. This can happen very quickly. Kia, you have a safety issue! I replaced the unit with a used one for $350 plus installation and now it has the same problem a year and a half later. There were two possible controller units for the 2008 sportage and they look identical but are not interchangeable. The other one I can purchase new, direct from south korea as an oem part in a kia/hyundai box for around $500. But not this one, they know they have a serious safety problem as this can unexpectedly pull you down to a crawl in heavy traffic. They also have kept the price extremely high on this unit to maximize profits on a safety item they refuse to fix. I'm looking for another used unit and then I'll dump this lemon.
I was driving the vehicle when my ESC light, brake light and check engine light came on . I just got the car inspected and it passed fine. I took it to the shop where they said an oil sensor was bad. They replaced that. The very next day the lights went on again and the car was having trouble shifting into gears. It was jumping and accelerating intermittently. I took the car back to the shop and they said I had 4 transmission codes. They said the ABS system needed to also be replaced which the part alone was over $2000.00. This car only had 88,000 miles. I drove the car to mccafferty ford where they advised me to not fix vehicle the cost was far more than what I would get as a trade. It needed a new ABS box which alone was over 2000 without labor. It needed a timing chain 600 and some maintance stuff 700. This car never needed anyting but tires, brakes, oil changes etc. I find it hard to believe at 88, 000 all this could go wrong unless there was a defect in the ABS or transmission. After looking this up I see that this is a very serious issue and concern. I traded in vehicle and was only give 500 as a trade.
Check engine light came on from day one. Almost always when tank of gas was at the 3/4 mark. Compressor makes loud noise after idling a while, and transmission slips and does not change properly.
2008 kia sportage had problems from day one. Consumer had problem with check engine light and vehicle would not start.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 2008 Kia Sportage check engine light
Is check engine light a common problem on the 2008 Kia Sportage?
8 of 98 owner complaints about the 2008 Kia Sportage (8%) mention check engine light. The model year with the most reports is 2012.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2008 Kia Sportage?
There are 0 recalls and 2 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2008 Kia Sportage
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