Model year guide

2008 Kia Sportage

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2008 Kia Sportage is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 68 on record.

2008 Kia Sportage — representative photo
Representative photo

2008 Kia Sportage at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints98
Combined21 mpg
Typical price$5,292

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2008 Kia Sportage recalls 3

Electrical System:wiring NHTSA Campaign #16V815000 · 10/11/2016

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 circu…

Fix: 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. Ow…

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch NHTSA Campaign #13V114000 · 01/04/2013

Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, …

Fix: Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module NHTSA Campaign #22V800000 · 24/10/2022

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.

Fix: 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 …

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2008 Kia Sportage common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 98 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.

2008 Kia Sportage MPG & running costs

Combined21 mpg
City18 mpg
Highway24 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,010

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2008 Kia Sportage worth?

Low
$3,100
Typical price
$5,292
High
$7,495

From 67 comparable 2008 Kia Sportage listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2008 Kia Sportage costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$15,050
Depreciation (5 yrs)$3,000
Total$18,050
Per mile$0.24

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($5,292) with the same model 3 model-years older ($3,504), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2008 Kia Sportage trims & engines on record

Trims
LX · EX · KM
Engines
2.7L 6-cyl 173 hp · 2.0L 4-cyl 140 hp

2008 Kia Sportage vehicles on record

Other Kia Sportage model years

2008 Kia Sportage — frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Kia Sportage have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2008 Kia Sportage. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Kia Sportage?

Based on 98 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are service brakes, hydraulic, engine.

What gas mileage does the 2008 Kia Sportage get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2008 Kia Sportage at about 21 mpg combined (18 city / 24 highway).

How much is a 2008 Kia Sportage worth?

Comparable 2008 Kia Sportage listings run roughly $3,100–$7,495, typically around $5,292 (from 67 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.