NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
16 reportsClear category filter160,000 miles · Sep 7, 2023
Latches/locks/linkagesPower TrainSeat Belts
The contact owns a 2009 Kia Borrego. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the front passenger’s and the front driver’s side seat belts unlatched independently without warning. The contact latched the seat belts, but the failure persisted. The dealer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. On another occasion while tur…
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The contact owns a 2009 Kia Borrego. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the front passenger’s and the front driver’s side seat belts unlatched independently without warning. The contact latched the seat belts, but the failure persisted. The dealer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. On another occasion while turning off the vehicle, the contact noticed that the key and the ignition were hot, but no warning light was illumined. The dealer was contacted and stated that there was no recall for the failure. On another occasion, the contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle shifted into neutral independently without warning. The dealer was contacted and stated there was no recall for the failure. Additionally, while attempting to unlock the driver’s side door, several attempts were needed before the door unlocked. The contact also stated that the failure also occurred while exiting the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 160,000.
NHTSA ODI #11543202
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
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
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 · May 27, 2019
Power Train
THE TRANSMISSION GETS STUCK IN 4TH GEAR AND WON'T SHIFT OUT OF 4TH GEAR YOU HAVE TO SLAM THE GEAR SHIFT INTO A GEAR FOR IT TO RESPOND. HAVE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY AND LET THE COMPUTER RESET FOR IT TO START ACTING RIGHT. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 2 DAYS AND GETS AGGRAVATING.
NHTSA ODI #11210147
108,000 miles · Jul 18, 2018
Electrical SystemPower TrainUnknown Or Other
WHILE SITTING IN MY CAR WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION LISTENING TO THE RADIO IT WOULD START UP. IT WOULD START UP IN PARK AND IT WOULD START UP AND NEUTRAL AND IT SOUNDS LIKE THE STARTER ARMATURE IS ENGAGING AND WON'T STOP AND GAUGING IN NEUTRAL AND STOP I DON'T HAVE TO BE IN THE VEHICLE FOR IT TO START ALL ON ITS OWN WHY DOES ST…
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WHILE SITTING IN MY CAR WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION LISTENING TO THE RADIO IT WOULD START UP. IT WOULD START UP IN PARK AND IT WOULD START UP AND NEUTRAL AND IT SOUNDS LIKE THE STARTER ARMATURE IS ENGAGING AND WON'T STOP AND GAUGING IN NEUTRAL AND STOP I DON'T HAVE TO BE IN THE VEHICLE FOR IT TO START ALL ON ITS OWN WHY DOES START ON ITS OWN IT VERY EASILY CAN YOU BE BUMPED INTO DRIVE AND TAKE OFF DOWN THE ROAD IF I LEAVE IT IN NEUTRAL OR PARK NOW IT SOUNDS HORRIBLE AND IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU'RE TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE WHEN IT'S ALREADY RUNNING SO THE ONLY WAY FOR ME TO GET THE OFF AND GOING NOW IS TO START THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL BYE JUST SITTING THERE SOON AS YOU START SIDE DROP IT INTO DRIVE AND I HIT THE ROAD NEVER SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHILE IN GEAR BUT IT ALWAYS HAPPENS NOW IN PARK AND NEUTRAL. ON TOP OF THAT IT HAS A CODE FOR A BANK SENSOR IN THE SECOND BANK B BANK OR WHATEVER AND IT IS RETARDED AND ADVANCED IN TIMING. THE TIMING SEEMS TO BE ERRATIC AND ALL THE SENSORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO GET IT SMOGGED THIS YEAR BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DOESN'T GO OFF DUE TO THE TIMING I'M GUESSING. WHILE IN DRIVE IT SEEMS TO WANT TO JUMP IF I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL IT'S OKAY AND DOESN'T JUMP UNTIL SOMETHING HAPPENS AND THEN THE STARTER KICKS ON.
NHTSA ODI #11112068
Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2017
Power Train
WHEN LETTING CAR WARM UP FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES. PUT INTO REVERSE THE KIA JERKS HARD SO YOU PULL OUT PUT INTO DRIVE RPMS GO UP BUT BUT CAR NOT MOVING. THE PUT A REBUILT TRANSMISSION IN BUT STILL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. KIA DID AN UPDATE ,BUT STILL DOING THE SAME THING. BUT KIA WANTS ME TO PAY A DIAGNOSTIC FREE AND TO…
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WHEN LETTING CAR WARM UP FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES. PUT INTO REVERSE THE KIA JERKS HARD SO YOU PULL OUT PUT INTO DRIVE RPMS GO UP BUT BUT CAR NOT MOVING. THE PUT A REBUILT TRANSMISSION IN BUT STILL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. KIA DID AN UPDATE ,BUT STILL DOING THE SAME THING. BUT KIA WANTS ME TO PAY A DIAGNOSTIC FREE AND TOLD THEM IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. IT'S VERY DANGEREST NOT SHIFTING AND NO POWER. COMPLAINED TO VANDEVERE KIA AND PAYING A FEE AGAIN STATING THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING.
NHTSA ODI #11033151
14,000 miles · Dec 28, 2016
Power Train
AFTER STARTING THE CAR THEN MOVING THE SHIFTER IN TO DRIVE . AS I GET THE SHIFTER IN THE REVERSE POSITION GOING TO DRIVE .. THE CAR JERKS FORWARD LIKE I HAVE MY FOOT ON THE GAS.. IT IS VERY STARTLING. GOES IN REVERSE FINE.. BUT WHEN I MOVE ONTO IT DRIVE IT STARTS TO MOVE SLOW AND RPMS GO UP BUT IT'S MOVING FORWARD. *T…
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AFTER STARTING THE CAR THEN MOVING THE SHIFTER IN TO DRIVE . AS I GET THE SHIFTER IN THE REVERSE POSITION GOING TO DRIVE .. THE CAR JERKS FORWARD LIKE I HAVE MY FOOT ON THE GAS.. IT IS VERY STARTLING. GOES IN REVERSE FINE.. BUT WHEN I MOVE ONTO IT DRIVE IT STARTS TO MOVE SLOW AND RPMS GO UP BUT IT'S MOVING FORWARD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10938360
96,270 miles · Sep 1, 2016
Power Train
THIS PAST TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2016, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING BECAME ERRATIC, IN PARTICULAR, AND AMONG OTHER ISSUES, HOLDING ON TO 3RD GEAR AND REFUSING TO UP SHIFT OR DOWN SHIFT PROPERLY. THERE WERE A FEW TIMES IN WHICH WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STAND-STILL ' A STOP LIGHT AND/OR 4-WAY-STOP INTERSECTION, FOR EXAMPLE ' THE VEHICLE…
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THIS PAST TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2016, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING BECAME ERRATIC, IN PARTICULAR, AND AMONG OTHER ISSUES, HOLDING ON TO 3RD GEAR AND REFUSING TO UP SHIFT OR DOWN SHIFT PROPERLY. THERE WERE A FEW TIMES IN WHICH WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STAND-STILL ' A STOP LIGHT AND/OR 4-WAY-STOP INTERSECTION, FOR EXAMPLE ' THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT UP FROM 1ST GEAR OR WOULD START ON 3RD GEAR AND WOULD NOT DOWN SHIFT DOWN TO 2ND NOR UP SHIFT TO 4TH. BIZARRE AND DANGEROUS TO SAY THE LEAST, AS IT WAS A STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC SITUATION. ON TWO OTHER OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING AT OVER 35 MPH OR SO, THE ENGINE WOULD SHIFT VERY ABRUPTLY FROM 3RD TO 4TH GEAR, AND THEN WOULD DOWN SHIFT BACK TO 3RD GEAR. THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO SHUT DOWN THE CAR. I DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO SO AFTER FIVE MINUTES OR SO I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND HEADED HOME. UPON EXTENSIVE RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A WELL-KNOWN ISSUE, DOCUMENTED BY MANY KIA BORREGO V8 OWNERS, AND ONE THAT HAS NOT BEEN CLASSIFIED AS A RECALL, EVEN THOUGH IT SEEMS TO BE A DEFECTIVE COMPONENT ISSUE AND IT HAS LED TO MANY UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS DRIVING SITUATIONS. I HAVE FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS PARTICULAR KIA BORREGO V8 MODEL THROUGHOUT KIA OWNERS' FORUMS AND EVEN ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. I ALSO FOUND ONLINE THE KIA TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 035 [REV1, 3/7/11], WHICH DOCUMENTS THE ISSUE TO A T. I HAVE SINCE WRITTEN AN EXTENSIVE LETTER TO KIA, EXPLAINING THE PROBLEM AND GIVING THEM REFERENCE LINKS. HOPEFULLY THEY TAKE ACTION AND THE IDEAL THING WOULD BE TO CLASSIFY THIS ISSUE AS A RECALL AND HAVE KIA REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART AND PICK UP THE TAB. IT IS MADDENING THAT A KNOWN ISSUE WITH WHAT SEEMS TO BE A *DEFECTIVE* COMPONENT IS OVERLOOKED AND CUSTOMERS ARE LEFT HANGING WITH A RIDICULOUSLY EXPENSIVE TAB. PLEASE SEE ATTACHED TSB.
NHTSA ODI #10903169
Official recalls
3Oct 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.
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.
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 ↗