2009 Kia Borrego problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (10) · Seat Belts (9) · Power Train (8)
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
71 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Structure:body:roof And Pillars 2023-10-13 · campaign 23V692000 · 22,768 vehicles
Defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Borrego vehicles. The headliner plates may not be secured properly, which can result in the plates detaching in the event of a side curtain air bag deployment.
Risk: A headliner plate that detaches during a crash may strike an occupant, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will secure the headliner plates, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 30, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC286.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch 2013-04-01 · campaign 13V114000 · 980,377 vehicles
Defect: 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, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 20
Risk: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
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:pedals And Linkages 2012-05-31 · campaign 12V245000 · 21,912 vehicles
Defect: KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 BORREGO VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 2, 2008, THROUGH JANUARY 20, 2009, EQUIPPED WITH NON-ADJUSTABLE BRAKE PEDALS. CERTAIN PEDAL MOUNTS MAY HAVE A FIBERGLASS COMPOSITION THAT ALLOWS THEM TO BREAK OFF IN A COLLISION WHERE THE IMPACT HAS NOT IMMOBILIZED THE VEHICLE, WHICH WOULD THEN ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL.
Risk: IF THIS OCCURS, THE DRIVER WOULD NEED TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITH THE PARKING BRAKE OR EXPERIENCE A POSSIBLE SECOND IMPACT, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Fix: KIA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE PEDAL MOUNT, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 15, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.
Service bulletins (22)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure 2021-09-13 · TSB_BOD055_R1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: information for headlamp condensation and moisture - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. new/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. this bulletin provides information relating to some kia models tha
Power Train 2021-05-07 · TSB_TRA027_CLSD · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
tsb_tra027_closed: technical service bulletin closed
Structure 2021-05-07 · TSB_BOD041_CLSD · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
tsb_bod041_clsd: technical service bulletin closed
Engine And Engine Cooling 2018-03-02 · PS539 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
pitstop - engine component re-use guidelines - in general, parts and components removed during engine repairs should be considered serviceable, and should be thoroughly cleaned and transferred to the new engine.
Electrical System:software 2017-11-20 · TSBELE091R3 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
tsb - identifying head unit software version for direct exchange - this bulletin provides the procedure on how to identify and record the head unit software level on various head unit platforms and generations.
Equipment:mechanical 2017-01-18 · TSB-GEN085R1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
tsb: mandatory replacement of locking/security hardware - by design, certain fasteners, which are designed to lock into place once fully attached, are utilized in various kia models and are strictly intended for ?one time use.? some examples are: axle shaft nuts with stake collar, cotter pins, washe
Showing the 6 most recent of 22 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-07-30 · Unknown Or Other“the car transmission shift lever panel dust cover breaks down and causes issues with the vehicle staying in gear while driving. …”
2025-11-21 · Unknown Or Other“something within the brake system is causing my shifter to not communicate with the brakes and will not allow my car to go into reverse or park. it stays stuck on drive or neutral. the only thing i can do is shut the car off and can’t do much except for move around the key until i can put the car into park. then that is hot and starts making under …”
2024-11-06 · Unknown Or Other“i have owned this car since it was new. anchors kia hung up on me 3x as i tried to get 2 recall items addressed. i then called the kia hotline and got hung up on. all i want is my recalled item taken care of……”
2024-10-04 · Engine · 💥 crash“air bag - during a bad rain storm a couple years ago i had an accident and hit the center divider after entering the freeway going 50 mph instead of 65 mph and none of my airbags deployed. i let my insurance know as well as the repair shop but it is unknown if they actually checked. the light on my dash showed my airbags were on. engine- my engine…”
2024-03-14 · Seat Belts“i absolutely love my kia borrego and have been trying to find a way to give the car back and end payments on it because i can't afford to put parts on it anymore. i'm on disability and can't seem to find the real issue after thousands of dollars in failed attempts. my transmission has not been shifting and if it does shift, it's sudden and aggressi…”
2023-09-07 · Seat Belts · 160,000 mi“the contact owns a 2009 kia borrego. the contact stated while driving 35 mph, the front passenger’s and the front driver’s side seat belts unlatched independently without warning. the contact latched the seat belts, but the failure persisted. the dealer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. on another occasion while turning off the vehicle…”
2023-06-13 · Service Brakes · 172,534 mi · 💥 crash“the contact owns a 2009 kia borrego ex. the contact stated that upon purchasing the vehicle, while driving into her driveway, the vehicle inadvertently applied the brakes, bringing it to a sudden stop. as a result, the contact stated that her friend, who had been following her, collided with the rear of the vehicle. no air bags were deployed. no wa…”
2022-08-16 · Service Brakes“after recall for brake light switch was performed at dealership on 7-12-2022 brake light switch sticks causing brake lights to be illuminated randomly. brake lights stay lit after being parked and may also be lit during operation. this may cause a safety issue if following drivers cannot determine when brakes are applied. dealership has not rect…”
2022-07-03 · Service Brakes“i was driving in traffic with stop light coming up hit my brakes to slow down because of cars in front of me, i had no brakes/ no warning lights on dash. i pumped my brakes and was able to stop before hitting car in front of me. local shop said master cylinder so i took it to local shop that repairs my car the last few years, they replaced kia mast…”
2021-04-03 · Service Brakes · 195,500 mi“the driver's side seat belt unfastens while driving and the right rear and center seat belts will not fasten whether driving or sitting still. the vehicle will not propel forward fully when the gas pedal is pressed to increase speed while in motion on a highway.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.