KiaSorento2008Overview/kia/sorento/2008/base/

2008 Kia Sorento

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 Sorento.

Body SUV

The 2008 Kia Sorento is an SUV within a model lineage covering 2003 through 2026, providing a distinct data point for researchers examining long-term ownership trends. This specific year registers 215 total owner complaints with Air Bags identified as the top complaint area alongside three recorded recalls, setting it apart from the model's statistical extremes. With the 2010 model year representing the lowest complaint count at three and 2011 marking the highest at 1516, the 2008 variant occupies a middle ground that suggests a moderate reliability profile within the vehicle's documented history.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192008

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque65-87 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 124 · 600 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 124 · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnLAMPOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length180.7 in
Overall width74 in
Overall height71.3 in
Wheelbase106.7 in
Curb weight4462 lb
Track (front / rear)62.6 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)56/44

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Sorento of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

9.1–9.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 9.10 sec — 2003 EX V6
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2004EX V6 3.5L V69.40 sec16.96 sec192 hp4x4
2003EX V6 3.5L V69.10 sec17.00 sec192 hp4x4
2003EX V6 3.5L V69.50 sec17.30 sec192 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine GL-5 · 85W-90 in the differential. Torque lug nuts to 65-87 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity10.6
Differential Gear OilGL-5 · 85W-90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.7 Pints
Differential Gear OilGL-5 · 85W-90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.4 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs7-9 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts209-224 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts53-56 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts53-56 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs15-17 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs14-17 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts65-87 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug22.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug22.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub178-198 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.59-.68 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance5950-8050 ohms
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.56-.68 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance5,950-8,050 ohms
Ignition Timing7, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance5 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.19 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Standard BCI Group Number124
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca
Standard BCI Group Number124
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature177 °F
Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-19 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature177 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)54.0-56.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance11.4-12.6 @ 68 degreesF ohms

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket16-24 ft-lbs / 16-23 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle47-54 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0012 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.102 in / 0.787 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.102 in / 0.787 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.024 in / 0.724 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
148 inch lbs., Step 2: 84-10848 in
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120-23 ft. lbs., Step 2: 7020–23 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
114 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9014 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 10,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
At 15,000 miFuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect)
Every 15,000 miBattery (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect)
Every 18,000 miEngine Coolant System (leak inspection)
Every 22,500 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Body Fasteners (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (replace) · PCV Hose (inspect)
At 60,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Fuel Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2008 Kia Sorento sits midway through its first generation, showing a moderate but notable uptick in federal activity compared to earlier model years. Complaints rose from 154 in 2007 to 215 in 2008, while recalls and investigations held steady at three each—levels consistent with the generation’s peak concern period before a sharp decline in 2009. The data reveals a clear trend: the 2003–2008 models experienced gradual increases in reported issues, particularly in airbag systems (57 complaints in 2008), before the next-generation redesign in 2011 triggered a surge in complaints and recalls. Fire-related complaints (9) and crash incidents (15) for 2008, while not extreme, align with the generation’s broader reliability concerns. This year doesn’t stand out as an outlier, but it reflects the cumulative risks of an aging platform without the benefit of later refinements. **Takeaway: The 2008 Sorento is a higher-risk buy—opt for a post-2009 model if possible, or budget for thorough pre-purchase inspections, especially of airbag and electrical systems.**

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
18
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
215
Owner complaints
15 involved a crash · 9 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 215 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags57
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)15
Power Train14
Vehicle Speed Control10
Engine9
Unknown Or Other8
Service Brakes6
Vehicle Speed Control,Electronic Stability Control (Esc)6

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V088000Electrical SystemReported 14/02/2020

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Sedona and 2007-2009 Sorento vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short. Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the main junction box to prevent power from being directed to the HECU when the vehicle's ignition switch is turned…

11V473000Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module-InactiveReported 07/09/2011

KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 SORENTO PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 15, 2006 THROUGH NOVEMBER 27, 2007. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG MAY BE TURNED OFF WHEN AN ADULT IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE… Remedy: KIA WILL UPDATE THE PROGRAMMING IN THE SORENTO OCS CONTROL MODULE AT NO CHARGE. THE RECALL REMEDY IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE UNDER SERVICE CAMPAIGN SC076. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 18 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB_BOD055_R12021-09-13StructureTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This…
PS067_R12018-10-19EnginePITSTOP: CYLINDER HEAD STEEL BALL INSPECTION AND INSTALLATION - This Pitstop provides…
PS5392018-03-02Engine And Engine CoolingPITSTOP - ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed…
TSB-GEN085R12017-01-18EquipmentTSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners…
TSB-GEN0852016-11-04Latches/Locks/LinkagesTSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Sorento. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2008 Sorento have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.