2009 Kia Sportage problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (14) · Air Bags (11) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic (8)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Kia Sportage model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
64 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/Module 2022-10-24 · campaign 22V800000 · 71,704 vehicles ⚠ PARK OUTSIDE
Defect: 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.
Risk: A fire increases the risk of injury.
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 may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC253.
Electrical System:wiring 2016-11-10 · campaign 16V815000 · 71,704 vehicles
Defect: 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 circuit board may short circuit.
Risk: If the HECU short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.
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. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC138.
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 bulletins (20)
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.
Power Train 2025-04-17 · TSB_TRA046_R5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: transmission fluid application guide - 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 the correct transmission fluid ty
Power Train 2024-05-16 · TSB_TRA046_R4 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each kia model. a flush is required only when a transmission is replaced.
Power Train 2022-11-18 · TSB_TRA046_R3 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: transmission fluid application guide - this bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each kia model. a flush is required only when a transmission is replaced, refer to applicable vehicles in the chart
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
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.
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 20 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-09-23 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 🔥 fire“in 2018 my i was driving home when it just shut off and wouldn’t start. smelled like burning and had it towed to my house and had several mechanics look at it and couldn’t find the problem then as it was parked on day it started to smoke and the engine was burning i put out the fire and then a couple months later i got the recall information the ca…”
2023-10-02 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic“the contact owns a 2009 kia sportage. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 22v800000 (service brakes, hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. the local dealer was contacted, and it was determined that parts were not yet available. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reas…”
2023-07-18 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic“the contact owns a 2009 kia sportage. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 22v800000 (service brakes, hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the manufacturer was made aware of the issue. the …”
2023-05-04 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 93,157 mi“the contact owns a 2009 kia sportage. the contact stated that upon starting the vehicle in the dealer's parking lot after the recall repair of nhtsa campaign numbers: 16v815000 (electrical system) and 22v800000 (service brakes, hydraulic) had been completed, the hecu, the abs, the tpms warning lights and other unknown warning lights illuminated. th…”
2023-05-02 · Unknown Or Other“the frame has rusted out on this vehicle. the passenger side frame above the rear axle is completely rusted out. i can put my thumb through the rear frame on the driver's side. the exhaust system on this vehicle is still intact - ironic that the frame would rust out before the exhaust system. …”
2022-10-24 · Engine“i was parked at the grocery store with the car idling in park. the engine suddenly died and smoke was coming out from under the hood. i honestly thought the car was about to burst into flames. a good samaritan looked under the hood and it was still smoking but eventually stopped. the electrical system is fried and even the emergency lights won't wo…”
2022-03-29 · Service Brakes“reference kia sc138, rev 1: dtc code c2380 has been pulled and the recall specifically calls for replacement of the hecu should this code occur. my dash panel's brake light, esc light and abs light all have come on alerting me to my car's problem. this recall was initially addressed on 2/6/2017 in arizona checking for corrosion and/or moisture r…”
2022-02-15 · Air Bags“6 months ago air bag indicator light came on for 2 days. that went out and another one came on (can't remember which one) and that stayed on for 2 days. then all was good for 5 months. now air bag indicator light is on again. yes, it's available upon request. have appt with dealer on 2/25/22. of course the air bag indicator light could cause risk …”
2021-11-30 · Unknown Or Other“the brakes lock up with pressure and will not allow me to brake when immediate breaking is needed. when continuing to try to break hard to prevent hitting the car in front of me, the brake pedal immediately drops to the floor releasing the exuberant brake pressure still not allowing any braking needed. this issue has gone on for over a year as it…”
2021-02-16 · Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking · 90,000 mi“brake light circuit doesnt work…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.