2008 Kia Sorento Air Bags Problems

NHTSA component category: AIR BAGS · data through 07/12/2026

48Air Bags complaints

22.3%Of all 215 complaints

#1Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How air bags ranks on this vehicle

AIR BAGS48 · 22.3%

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)44 · 20.5%

ENGINE35 · 16.3%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM30 · 14%

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL28 · 13%

Share of the 215 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2008 Kia Sorento overview page.

What owners report

“AUTO HAS A DASHBOARD ALERT WHEN SOMEONE SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE WARNING LIGHT GOES OUT AND THERE BY ARMING THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR…”NHTSA complaint 10587652 — filed 05/11/2014

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED…”NHTSA complaint 10583530 — filed 04/18/2014

“THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG IS TURNED OFF WHEN AN ADULT SETS IN THE SEAT. THE OCS MISS CLASSIFIES THE ADULT IN THE FRONT SEAT…”NHTSA complaint 10472414 — filed 08/24/2012

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Air Bags complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Kia Sorento have air bags problems?

Air Bags is the most-reported problem area on the 2008 Kia Sorento: 48 of 215 complaints on file (22.3%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2008 Kia Sorento have in total?

215 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 15 involved a crash, 9 involved a fire, 17 reported injuries, and 3 reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's air bags category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the AIR BAGS category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.