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2009 Kia Sorento

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2009 Kia Sorento do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 242.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

40 reports with mileage · 15 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.

  • Air Bags. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

6 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 2022
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

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!!!. Is this a design flaw issue?…

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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!!!. Is this a design flaw issue? It's definitely a safety issue! How can consumers be protected from these issues?

NHTSA ODI #11470606

77,000 miles · Jul 10, 2019
Vehicle Speed Control

LESS THAN A WEEK AFTER GETTING THIS CAR, IT STARTED HAVING INTERMITTENT NO ACCELERATION! THE FIRST CODES WERE 02 SENSOR BUT IT WAS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, I ONLY DROVE THE CAR 1000 NO IN A YEAR AND I JUST HAD IT REPAIRED I THOUGHT UNDER WARRANTY WITH TRANSMISSION CODES AS WELL AS A.C. WHICH WAS FIXED, BUT 2ND TIME DRIVING AND SAME…

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LESS THAN A WEEK AFTER GETTING THIS CAR, IT STARTED HAVING INTERMITTENT NO ACCELERATION! THE FIRST CODES WERE 02 SENSOR BUT IT WAS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, I ONLY DROVE THE CAR 1000 NO IN A YEAR AND I JUST HAD IT REPAIRED I THOUGHT UNDER WARRANTY WITH TRANSMISSION CODES AS WELL AS A.C. WHICH WAS FIXED, BUT 2ND TIME DRIVING AND SAME THING, I COULD PUSH THE THROTTLE TO THE FLOOR AND NOT GO OVER 10MPH! I HAVE SEEN SO MANY OF SAME COMPLAINT! I HAVE NEARLY BEEN CRASHED INTO MULTIPLE TIMES, HAD TO PULL OFF INTERSTATE...I HAVE CALLED FREEDOM KIA AND DIDN'T GET CALL BACK AS PROMISED. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR AND SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE NOW! I AM DISABLED, AND HAVE A GRANDBABY! WHY ARE YOU PEOPLE NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THIS?? YOUR JOB IS TO PROTECT US! THE WARRANTY IS UP IN 10DAYS AND IT'S NOT GOING TO BE FIXED AS YOU CAN SEE BY SO MANY COMPLAINTS! I WANT ACTION NOW WITH THE KIA DEALERSHIP. IF I GET IN AN ACCIDENT, THERE WILL BE MANY LAWSUITS, INCLUDING YOU FOR NOT DOING YOUR JOBS!

NHTSA ODI #11230844

96,500 miles · Aug 22, 2017
Vehicle Speed Control

MY 2009 KIA SORENTO,I WAS DRIVING DOWN MAIN ROAD GOING ABOUT 55 WHEN ALL SUDDEN MY POWER DROPPED TO ABOUT 20,LUCKY I WAS NOT ON INTERSTATE ARE PULLING ON TO INTERSTATE,HAD TO HAVE TOWED IN,SAID SOMETHING TO DO WITH GAS PEDAL,WELL THOUGHT WAS FIXED,NOPE,I HAVE HAD CAR FOR A YEAR AND HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES,IT IS A RECURRING PROBLEM,…

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MY 2009 KIA SORENTO,I WAS DRIVING DOWN MAIN ROAD GOING ABOUT 55 WHEN ALL SUDDEN MY POWER DROPPED TO ABOUT 20,LUCKY I WAS NOT ON INTERSTATE ARE PULLING ON TO INTERSTATE,HAD TO HAVE TOWED IN,SAID SOMETHING TO DO WITH GAS PEDAL,WELL THOUGHT WAS FIXED,NOPE,I HAVE HAD CAR FOR A YEAR AND HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES,IT IS A RECURRING PROBLEM,I AM SCARED TO DRIVE IT BUT IN TOWN AND BACK,PAYING 400 A MONTH FOR 5 YEARS FOR A CAR I AM SCARED TO DRIVE,IF THIS IS A RECURRING THING,WHY DOES KIA NOT FIX THIS PROBLEM,I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER KIA WHEN THEY DON'T STAND BEHIND THERE PTODUCT

NHTSA ODI #11018784

42,000 miles · Jun 29, 2016
EngineVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 67 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MILEAGE DROPPED FROM 67 MPH TO APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE PEDAL ASSEMBLY SHORTED OUT. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 67 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MILEAGE DROPPED FROM 67 MPH TO APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE PEDAL ASSEMBLY SHORTED OUT. THE THROTTLE PEDAL WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONTACT REFERENCED A RECALL ON THE 2016 MODEL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V089000); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000. UPDATED 09/29/16*LJ *JS

NHTSA ODI #10881467

66,000 miles · May 12, 2015
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control

ESC OFF SENSOR AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN STARTING VEHICLE OR WHEN IN MOTION/DRIVING. ESC OFF ILLUMINATES FOLLOWED BY COMPLETE LOSS OF ACCELERATION. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH TO 70 MPH LIGHT APPEARS AND QUICKLY LOOSES LACK OF THROTTLE ACCELERATION POWR. I'VE HAD THIS HAPPEN (10 PLUS TIMES) SINCE I BOUGHT THIS VEHIC…

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ESC OFF SENSOR AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN STARTING VEHICLE OR WHEN IN MOTION/DRIVING. ESC OFF ILLUMINATES FOLLOWED BY COMPLETE LOSS OF ACCELERATION. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH TO 70 MPH LIGHT APPEARS AND QUICKLY LOOSES LACK OF THROTTLE ACCELERATION POWR. I'VE HAD THIS HAPPEN (10 PLUS TIMES) SINCE I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN 2012 PRE-OWNED FROM KIA DEALERSHIP IN CAPE CORAL,FL. TONIGHT 5/12/15 I WAS HEADING ON HIGHWAY AND STOPPED 3 TIMES EVERY 2 TO 4 MILES (LOST POWER) IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC.. FINALLY,VEHICLE CAME BACK ON MORE FOR ABOUT 10 MILES, WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 65 TO 70 MPHS VEHICLE SHOWED ESC OFF LIGHT AND LOST ACCELERATION THEN POWER... NO ACCIDENT JUST SWERVED ALOT..

NHTSA ODI #10716099

35,486 miles · Apr 23, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control

I SUDDENLY LOST POWER OR CONTROL TO THE GAS. I COASTED THE CAR TO MY WORK A FEW MILES AWAY IN OSSEO, WI. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A NEARBY GARAGE, THE LOFT SERVICE CENTER IN OSSEO, WI. THEY HOOKED IT UP TO A COMPUTER AND COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. 10/7/14 THE SAME THING HAPPENED. MY HUSBAND AND I WERE ON A TRIP AND LOST POWER, COAS…

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I SUDDENLY LOST POWER OR CONTROL TO THE GAS. I COASTED THE CAR TO MY WORK A FEW MILES AWAY IN OSSEO, WI. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A NEARBY GARAGE, THE LOFT SERVICE CENTER IN OSSEO, WI. THEY HOOKED IT UP TO A COMPUTER AND COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. 10/7/14 THE SAME THING HAPPENED. MY HUSBAND AND I WERE ON A TRIP AND LOST POWER, COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ABOUT EVERY 20 TO 40 MILES FOR ABOUT 300 MILES UNTIL WE GOT TO THE KIA PRESTIGE IN EAU CLAIRE, WI. THROTTLE BODY SENSOR WAS REPLACED. 4/20/15 SAME THING HAPPENED. I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT. SHUT OFF THE CAR. WHEN IT WAS RESTARTED, I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO KIA PRESTIGE IN EAU CLAIRE, WI. REPLACED THROTTLE BODY AND AIR SENSOR TO AIR FILTER COST $1298. PARTS ARE ONLY GUARANTEED FOR ONE YEAR. I WAS TOLD THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN FOR MANY REASONS. I AM AFRAID THIS IS UNSAFE AND I COULD BE REAR-ENDED THE NEXT TIME IT HAPPENS. I CALLED THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-333-4542 AND HAVE A CASE NO. [XXX]. THEY WOULD NOT TELL ME IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM OR HOW TO FIX IT. I SEE MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ONLINE. I HAD A KIA RONDO BEFORE THIS AND IT HAPPENED WITH THIS CAR AS WELL. I SEE THIS AS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AND JUST DON'T WANT TO DIE OR HAVE MY GRANDCHILDREN DIE BECAUSE THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10712447

Official recalls

2

20V088000 · Electrical System; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Feb 14, 2020

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 & remedy

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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System

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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

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.

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.

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

1

DP21003 · Throttle Control System Vulnerabilities

Opened Nov 12, 2021 · Closed Jun 20, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:throttle

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003. Accordingly, Model Year (MY) 2005-2016 Kia Optima/K5, MY 2006-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, MY 2006-2015 Hyundai Sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire that can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under reference (ODI) number 11439675.On November 12, 2021, ODI opened Defect Petition DP21-003 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI performed trend analyses of the VOQs related to vehicle speed control issues for all the subject vehicles and found that none of the 52 Model/Model Year Hyundai/Kia vehicles demonstrated any actionable trend that warranted an investigation.Petitioners submitted 1119 VOQs and non-VOQ cases in which sudden uncommanded acceleration (SUA) or loss of motive power (LOMP) incidents were alleged.For the 1119 reports, 220 were incidents involving crashes, from which 69 subject Hyundai-Kia vehicles were inspected by Hyundai/Kia dealer technicians, Hyundai/Kia engineers, and/or third-party representatives.ODI found the inspections identified no vehicle defects related to the ETC system.Of the 220 crash-involved reports, 13 Event Data Recorder (EDR) records were downloaded successfully and 11 of those indicated driver error: (i.e.) pedal misapplication.A condition where the accelerator pedal is mistakenly applied instead of the brake pedal when the driver wants to stop the vehicle.In addition, ODI reviewed a scientific journal paper published in Forensic Science International in 2016 by Mr. Park et al ., as well as related test videos. ODI does not believe there is any evidence of uncontrollable SUA occurrences in any of the tests reviewed. NHTSA's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) reviewed the allegations regarding the potential noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 124.Based on the information provided, the Agency concludes there is insufficient information for us to determine if a possible non-compliance exists.Finally, both Hyundai and Kia informed ODI that all their vehicles manufactured after 2012 were equipped with an ETC management system, in which the engine speed will go to idle when the system sees signals from both the brake pedal and accelerator pedal at the same time; this is commonly known as the brake-throttle override system.After thoroughly assessing the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in NHTSA's possession, information submitted by Hyundai and Kia in response to an Information Request letter, and the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner's allegation, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. After full consideration of appropriate factors, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA?s reasons for denial of the petition will be published.

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