2009 Kia Sorento problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 2009 Kia Sorento is among the quieter years of the Sorento on NHTSA's books: 79 complaints (77% below the model's median year), 3 recalls, and no open investigations.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 22 reports (28% of the total).

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2009 compare to other Sorento years?

Sorento NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sorento years to avoid →

What are the most common 2009 Kia Sorento problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Electrical System	22	28%	▼ down
Airbags	21	27%	▼ down
Transmission	9	11%	▼ down
Brakes	8	10%	▼ down
Speed Control	6	8%	▼ down
Engine	4	5%	▼ down
Other	3	4%	▼ down
Seats	3	4%	▲ up
Body & Structure	1	1%	▼ down
Tires & Wheels	1	1%	▼ down
Lighting	1	1%	▼ down

Does the 2009 Kia Sorento have recalls?

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

20V088000Electrical SystemFebruary 14, 2020 · 228,829 units

Defect

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Sedona and 2007-2009 Sorento vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.

Consequence

An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the vehicle is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.

Remedy

Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the main junction box to prevent power from being directed to the HECU when the vehicle's ignition switch is turned off, free of charge. The recall began June 5, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC186.

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.

11E041000OtherOctober 6, 2011 · 2,398 units

Defect

CURT MANUFACTURING IS RECALLING CERTAIN TOW PACKAGE WIRING HARNESSES, PART NUMBER 56024, THAT CONNECT TOW VEHICLE LIGHTING CIRCUITS TO TRAILER LIGHTING CIRCUITS SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 THROUGH 2011 HYUNDAI VERACRUZ AND KIA SORENTO VEHICLES. THE UNITS ARE NOT WATER-TIGHT AND MOISTURE CAN SEEP INTO THE CONVERTER MODULE AND DEFEAT THE MODULE'S INTERNAL CIRCUIT PROTECTION.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE CIRCUIT PROTECTION, THE MODULE CAN OVERHEAT POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy

CURT MANUFACTURING WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE TOW PACKAGE WIRING HARNESS. THE REMEDY WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 17, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CURT MANUFACTURING AT 1-715 831-8713.

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 SORENTO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE BRAKES DISENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED IN A FORWARD MOTION VOLUNTARILY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WAS FAILING. THE MANUFACTURER…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 13, 2016

“MY SON WAS TRAVELING ON A MAIN ROAD IN TOWN WHEN THE CAR HYDROPLANED AT ABOUT 30 MPH AND HE LOST CONTROL. IT SENT HIM SLAMMING INTO A CULVERT, THEN IT BOUNCED OUT OF THE CULVERT AND RAN UP ON A RESIDENTIAL PORCH AND HIT A TREE. THE DRIVERS SIDE TOOK THE MAJORITY OF THE IMPACT. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · October 23, 2015 · crash

“2009 KIA SORENTO WITH TRANSMISSION/DRIVELINE ISSUES. DEALERSHIP HAS HAD NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT AND STATES "NORMAL FOR THIS VEHICLE." VEHICLE CLUNKS, POPS, JOLTS, AND JERKS WHEN IN OPERATION REGARDLESS OF TIME OF DAY, TEMP, ETC. STARTED IN MAY 2010 AND CONTINUES PRESENTLY WHICH IS JUNE 2011.…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 5, 2010

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SORENTO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE BRAKES DISENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED IN A FORWARD MOTION VOLUNTARILY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WAS FAILING. THE MANUFACTURER…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 13, 2016

“Currently my ESC OFF warning light is lit on my dash, and while lit my vehicle has trouble accelerating from 0 to 40 mph. The warning light goes on and off at random. I have had the accelerator pedal assembly replacement in 2015 and 2019 due to the same issue. It is NOW happening again in 2022!!!.…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · June 1, 2022

2009 Kia Sorento — common questions

Is the 2009 Kia Sorento reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 79 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Sorento year, with 3 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2009 Sorento problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (22 complaints), airbags (21 complaints), transmission (9 complaints).

Does the 2009 Kia Sorento have recalls?

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

Is the 2009 Kia Sorento under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Kia Sorento years should you avoid?

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

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 2009 compare to other Sorento years?

What are the most common 2009 Kia Sorento problems?

Does the 2009 Kia Sorento have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

2009 Kia Sorento — common questions

Is the 2009 Kia Sorento reliable?

What are the most common 2009 Sorento problems?

Does the 2009 Kia Sorento have recalls?

Is the 2009 Kia Sorento under NHTSA investigation?

Which Kia Sorento years should you avoid?

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