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2009 Kia Borrego

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

71 reports with mileage · 17 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

6 reports
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Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 2024
Air BagsEngineCrash

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…

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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 started to make a rattling noise that sounds like a diesel vehicle starting up during a cold starts. I have took it to the dealership I bought it from multiple times cause it has gotten louder and worst they claimed the looked at it and said that it was normal and decided to max out my GAP insurance so I can no longer take it in for that issue but my normal mechanic states that is not normal and it should not be making that noise. There were no lights or warning signs of any sort.

NHTSA ODI #11618006

164,100 miles · Aug 17, 2020
Air Bags

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR HOME FROM CHURCH WHEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT SUDDENLY CAME ON. I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT OR ANYTHING, IT JUST CAME ON WITH NO REASON

NHTSA ODI #11349870

78,000 miles · Jul 30, 2014
Air BagsCrashInjury

I HIT A PARKED CAR ON PASSENGER FRONT SIDE. NO PASSENGERS WERE IN THE VEHICLE. SIDE AND WINDOW AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ON DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE. STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND I SLAMMED INTO THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSING INJURY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10617659

73,000 miles · Dec 2, 2013
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA BORREGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE HYDRO-PLANED AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE PILLAR. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY AND BRUISING TO THE BODY. THE POLICE WERE CALLED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT ME…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA BORREGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE HYDRO-PLANED AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE PILLAR. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY AND BRUISING TO THE BODY. THE POLICE WERE CALLED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000. UPDATED 12/17/13*LJ

NHTSA ODI #10554341

70,000 miles · Mar 26, 2013
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA BORREGO. THE CONTACT STATED SOMEONE CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE FROM THE REAR, PUSHING THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED A FACE CONTUSION AND LACERATIONS TO THE NOSE. THE MANUFACTURER …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA BORREGO. THE CONTACT STATED SOMEONE CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE FROM THE REAR, PUSHING THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED A FACE CONTUSION AND LACERATIONS TO THE NOSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #10504552

11,700 miles · May 7, 2011
Air BagsFuel System, GasolinePower Train

PURCHASED NEW 09 BORREGO IN JUNE 2010. TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING AT 11,700 MILES, WOULD STAY AT 40MPH WITH FOOT OFF OF GAS PEDAL, SLIPPED IN 3RD AND 4TH GEARS. TOOK IN FOR REPAIRS AND THEY SAID THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND TO COME PICK THE BORREGO UP UNTIL THE TRANSMISSION COULD BE SHIPPED TO THEM. THE FOLLOWI…

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PURCHASED NEW 09 BORREGO IN JUNE 2010. TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING AT 11,700 MILES, WOULD STAY AT 40MPH WITH FOOT OFF OF GAS PEDAL, SLIPPED IN 3RD AND 4TH GEARS. TOOK IN FOR REPAIRS AND THEY SAID THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND TO COME PICK THE BORREGO UP UNTIL THE TRANSMISSION COULD BE SHIPPED TO THEM. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS OK TO DRIVE IT THAT WAY, AND TO JUST BRING IT IN WHEN THE TRANSMISSION CAME IN. THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION WITH A REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION (NEVER TOLD US THIS, UNTIL WE PICKED IT UP AND READ IT ON THE SERVICE TICKET). AT 11,900, AND ONLY 200 MILES AFTER THE REPLACEMENT, IT STARTED SLIPPING AGAIN. IT WAS JERKING VERY HARD BETWEEN PARK AND REVERSE.AT THIS POINT, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ALSO ON. I CALLED AND WAS TOLD TO WAIT FOR SEVERAL DAYS (THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS TOO BUSY TO GET THE VEHICLE IN) AND ON THE DAY OF THE APPOINTMENT, WENT TO LEAVE HOME AND THE BORREGO WOULDN'T GO OVER 20MPH. BY THE TIME I MADE IT AROUND THE BLOCK TO RETURN HOME, IT WOULDN'T GO OVER 15MPH. WHEN I PULLED OUT ON THE STREET WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT WAS 45, I HAD CARS READY TO PLOW INTO ME BECAUSE I COULDN'T GET THE VEHICLE TO GO!!!! IT IS NOW BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP (VIA FLATBED TOW TRUCK). SINCE THE VEHICLE HAS HAD GAS TANK ISSUES (REPLACED TANK AND NOW THE CO INSIDE THE VEHICLE IS AT LETHAL LEVELS), 4 ATTEMPTS TO GET THE AIRBAG LIGHT OFF, CHIPPING PAINT, SEATBACKS FALLING OFF, ETC. WE ARE NOW ASKING FOR KIA TO REPURCHASE THE SUV AND WE WILL BUY A CAR THAT'S NON KIA!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10399443

Official recalls

3

23V692000 · Structure:body:roof And Pillars

Oct 13, 2023

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 & remedy

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.

13V114000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Apr 1, 2013

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 & remedy

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.

12V245000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages

May 31, 2012

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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.