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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

What owners actually said

88 reports
25,000 miles · Mar 10, 2021
Electrical SystemPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA BORREGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ECU WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE WAS JERKING AND FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DELAND KIA (2322 S. WOODLAND BLVD, DELAND, FL 32720, (386) 734-7800) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ECU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA BORREGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ECU WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE WAS JERKING AND FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DELAND KIA (2322 S. WOODLAND BLVD, DELAND, FL 32720, (386) 734-7800) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ECU MODULE AND STOP LAMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V114000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 25,000.

NHTSA ODI #11400210

136,350 miles · Mar 10, 2021
Electrical SystemPower TrainService Brakes

WHILE DRIVING STEP ON BRAKES TO SLOW AND ALL WARNING LIGHTS RELATED TO BRAKES LITE UP AND CAR SHIFTER WAS STUCK IN DRIVE OR NEUTRAL. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES THE LIGHTS COME ON AND OFF . HAD CAR CHECKED AND NOTHING COULD BE FOUND AS NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS THIS CAR IS USED BY WIFE AND CH…

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WHILE DRIVING STEP ON BRAKES TO SLOW AND ALL WARNING LIGHTS RELATED TO BRAKES LITE UP AND CAR SHIFTER WAS STUCK IN DRIVE OR NEUTRAL. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES THE LIGHTS COME ON AND OFF . HAD CAR CHECKED AND NOTHING COULD BE FOUND AS NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS THIS CAR IS USED BY WIFE AND CHILDREN DAILY. WITH ALL THINGS CONSIDERED WE HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND FOUND THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD SIMILAR ISSUES AND INCLUDES ABS MODULE,TRANSMISSION MODULE SPEED SENSOR, OR THE MAIN MODULE WHICH IS TROUBLING WHAT DO WE DO TAKE A GUESS WHAT TO REPLACE. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED. AS ALL OF THE PARTS LISTED HAVE A HEAVY PRICE TO HAVE CHANGED.

NHTSA ODI #11400089

18,000 miles · Mar 9, 2021
Steering

THE STEERING WHEEL, SINCE NEARLY BRAND NEW, WILL NOT RAISE OR LOWER AT TIMES. THIS IS DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY FOR SHORTER DRIVERS. IF THE AIRBAG WERE TO BE DEPLOYED THIS WOULD RESULT IN POSSIBLY FATAL HEAD/NECK INJURIES. THE STEERING WHEEL STAYS IN THE FULLY TILTED POSITION, EVEN WHEN DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #11399946

Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2021
Electrical SystemSeat BeltsUnknown Or Other

MY DRIVERS SIDE SEATBELT DOES NOT LATCH ALL OF THE TIME. IT WILL POP OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS SEEMS VERY DANGEROUS AND UNSAFE. I AM ALSO HAVE TROUBLE WITH MY ANTENNA AROUND MY IGNITION SWITCH. IT DOESN'T DETECT MY KEY ALL OF THE TIME WHICH MEANS THAT MY CAR DOES NOT START EVERY TIME I PUT THE KEY IN IT. IT MIGHT TAKE A FEW ATTEMP…

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MY DRIVERS SIDE SEATBELT DOES NOT LATCH ALL OF THE TIME. IT WILL POP OFF WHILE DRIVING. THIS SEEMS VERY DANGEROUS AND UNSAFE. I AM ALSO HAVE TROUBLE WITH MY ANTENNA AROUND MY IGNITION SWITCH. IT DOESN'T DETECT MY KEY ALL OF THE TIME WHICH MEANS THAT MY CAR DOES NOT START EVERY TIME I PUT THE KEY IN IT. IT MIGHT TAKE A FEW ATTEMPTS. I JUST PUT ABOUT $5000 INTO THIS CAR OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS AND WAS HOPING TO BE DONE FOR A LITTLE WHILE. THE TECHNICIANS HAVE SHARED THAT NEITHER OF THESE ISSUES ARE OF MY DOING. THE CAR IS SIMPLY NOT READING MY KEY AND MY SEATBELT IS DEFECTIVE.

NHTSA ODI #11388536

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

85,000 miles · Aug 1, 2020
Power Train

WHEN I RETURNED TO THE PLACE I LEFT. I STOPPED AND TRIED TO MOVE GEAR SHIFT INTO PARK. IT WOULD NOT GO PAST NEUTRAL. I COULD SHUT OFF ENGINE, BUT KEY WOULD NOT RELEASE FROM IGNITION AND THE ACCESSORY, SUCH AS RADIO AND SOME LIGHTS STAYED ON. I WAS ABLE TO PRESS THE SHIFT LOCK RELEASE BUTTON AND THEN ABLE TO PUT INTO PARK.

NHTSA ODI #11342648

109,000 miles · Jul 30, 2020
EngineSteeringWheels

MY MOTHER AND I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE 6/27/20 AND IT WAS IN THE AFTERNOON. WELL I DROVE IT HOME AND IN THE WAY HOME THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AND THE LIGHT FOR THE TIRES. I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT FIRST OF ALL THAT ALL THE TIRES WERE DIFFERENT TIRES. AND ALL DIFFERENT KINDS OF TREADS. BUT THEN THE VEHICLE KEPT GETTING WORSE AND WO…

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MY MOTHER AND I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE 6/27/20 AND IT WAS IN THE AFTERNOON. WELL I DROVE IT HOME AND IN THE WAY HOME THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AND THE LIGHT FOR THE TIRES. I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT FIRST OF ALL THAT ALL THE TIRES WERE DIFFERENT TIRES. AND ALL DIFFERENT KINDS OF TREADS. BUT THEN THE VEHICLE KEPT GETTING WORSE AND WORSE. THE MORE I DROVE IT THE HARDER IT WAS TO HOLD IN THE ROAD. THEN IT STARTED RAINING. I THOUGHT SERIOUSLY THAT I COULD DIE WITH THIS AS BAD AS IT WAS. AND TO TOP THAT OFF I TRIED TO TURN ON THE WIPERS AND THEY STARTED FALLING ABOUT FROM BEING DRY ROTTED. I WAS SCARED TO DRIVE . FOR MYSELF AND FOR OTHERS. SO THEN I TRIED TO CONTACT THE DEALER AND HIS DAUGHTER ANSWERED THE PHONE AND I ASKED TO TALK TO WHO SHE REFERRED TO AS HER FATHER. AND SHE SAID HE MAY NOT BE IN ALL DAY AND I TOLD HER THAT THERE WAS SERIOUS ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. SHE SAID SOMEONE WOULD CALL ME BACK. I WAITED TILL WHEN THEY ALMOST CLOSE AND NO ONE CALLED . I TRIED TO CALL BACK AND THEY WOULD NOT ANSWER. AT WHICH TIME MY MOTHER GOT ON THE PHONE WITH HER CREDIT CARD PEOPLE AND ASKED THEM TO STOP THE PAYMENT ON THE VEHICLE AND THEY AGREED. AND TOLD US TO MAKE SURE THE VEHICLE GOT BACK UP THERE TO THEM. HONESTLY THAT WAS THE SCARED AS I EVER BEEN DRIVING SOMETHING. BUT I GOT IT BACK TO THEM. IT'S ONLY BEEN THE 3 DAY WHEN ALL THIS UNFOLDED. NOW THEY ARE SAYING THAT THEY ARE GONNA TREAT IT LIKE A REPOSSESSION. AND THREATENING MY 77 YEAR MOTHER. AND THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING RIGHT THERE IN FRONT OF THEIR BUSINESS. MY MOTHER TOLD THEM THE VEHICLE WAS AN ENVIRONMENTAL HAZZARD LEAKING ANTIFREEZE AND IT WAS DANGEROUS TO MY LIFE CAUSE IT WAS A WONDER THAT I DIDN'T GET KILLED THE LITTLE I DROVE IT. SHE DROVE BEHIND ME IN THE VEHICLE ON THE WAY BACK AND SEEN HOW THE VEHICLE WAS ALL OVER THE ROAD.

NHTSA ODI #11342344

120,000 miles · Jun 3, 2020
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA BORREGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 72 MPH, THE SUN ROOF GLASS SHATTERED WITHOUT IMPACT. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO KIRBY KIA OF VENTURA (6424 AUTO CENTER DR, VENTURA, CA 93003) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FAILURE WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA BORREGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 72 MPH, THE SUN ROOF GLASS SHATTERED WITHOUT IMPACT. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO KIRBY KIA OF VENTURA (6424 AUTO CENTER DR, VENTURA, CA 93003) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CAUSED BY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THE DEALER OFFERED NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT FILED TWO CLAIMS WITH THE MANUFACTURER THAT WERE DENIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11327149

68,000 miles · Nov 22, 2019
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA BORREGO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE AND DROVE TO HIS RESIDENCE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO EVERGREEN KIA (LOCATED AT 9205 S WESTERN AVE, CHICAGO, I…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA BORREGO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE AND DROVE TO HIS RESIDENCE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO EVERGREEN KIA (LOCATED AT 9205 S WESTERN AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60643, (800) 211-3116) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS MODULE AND CRANKSHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

NHTSA ODI #11281788

Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 2019
Unknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper

SUN VISORS ON BOTH SIDES WILL NOT RETRACT UP TO ROOFTOP SO ITS BLOCKING VISIBILITY. THE RIGHT SIDE WENT OUT 1ST ABOUT A YEAR AGO, BUT WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE STOP WORKING ABOUT 3 MO.. THAT'S WHEN I HAVE A PROBLEM. SO FOR THE PAST 3 MONTHS IS BEEN A BIG PROBLEM FOR ME.

NHTSA ODI #11265759

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.