VehicleVerdict

2009 Kia Borrego problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2009 Kia Borrego sits mid-pack among Borrego years: 136 NHTSA complaints, with 3 recalls and no defect investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (23), brakes (18), and transmission (16), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

136

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

9

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2009 compare to other Borrego years?

Borrego NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted136 complaints2008: 4 complaints2009: 136 complaints2010: 4 complaints2011: 0 complaints2012: 0 complaints2013: 0 complaints2014: 0 complaints2015: 0 complaints2016: 0 complaints2017: 0 complaints2018: 0 complaints2019: 0 complaints
Borrego NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Borrego years to avoid →

What are the most common 2009 Kia Borrego problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System2317%
Brakes1813%
Transmission1612%
Seat Belts118%
Other97%
Steering97%
Lighting86%
Fuel System75%
Airbags64%
Engine64%
Visibility & Wipers54%
Tires & Wheels54%
Body & Structure43%
Seats32%
Speed Control32%
Suspension21%
Latches & Locks11%

Does the 2009 Kia Borrego have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

23V692000Body & StructureOctober 13, 2023 · 22,768 units

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.

Consequence

A headliner plate that detaches during a crash may strike an occupant, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy

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.

13V114000LightingApril 1, 2013 · 980,377 units

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 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

12V245000BrakesMay 31, 2012 · 21,912 units

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA BORREGO. THE CONTACT STATED SHE WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SIX TIMES AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 8, 2010

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA MOTOR BORREGO. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THEY DID NOT ENGAGE; THE FAILURE RESULTED IN A CRASH. NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP THAT WORKS WITH…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 19, 2010 · crash

“WHILE THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING, THE 2009 KIA BORREGO BECOMES STUCK IN DRIVE, NOT ALLOWING THE DRIVER TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK. THIS HAS OCCURRED TWICE, BOTH TIMES THE DEALER HAS INDICATED THAT IT IS DUE TO A COMPUTER FAILURE IN THE VEHICLE. THERE IS SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RISK IN NOT BEING ABLE TO GET…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 6, 2010

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA BORREGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SOME OF THE SEAT BELTS IN THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT LATCH PROPERLY WITHOUT FIRST DEPRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON ON THE SEAT BELT. ONCE THE SEAT BELT WAS LATCHED, IT BECAME UNLATCHED AGAIN WHEN THE CONTACT MOVED SLIGHTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · December 29, 2015

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA BORREGO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60, SHE DROVE OVER A POTHOLE AND THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE FAILURE RECURRED ONE OTHER TIME. A DEALER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · June 13, 2012

2009 Kia Borrego — common questions

Is the 2009 Kia Borrego reliable?

It is close to typical for the Borrego: 136 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2009 Borrego problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (23 complaints), brakes (18 complaints), transmission (16 complaints).

Does the 2009 Kia Borrego have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2009 Kia Borrego. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Kia Borrego years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Borrego years to avoid are 2010, 2017, 2014, 2016, 2013, 2018, 2019, 2012, 2011, 2015. The cleanest record among Borrego years belongs to 2008.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.