Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
210–25K
1525–50K
1050–75K
1375–100K
7100–150K
5150K+
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
18,000 miles · Oct 6, 2013
Power Train
THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS UP TO FOURTH GEAR AS I SLOWLY ACCELERATE TO UP TO 40 MPH REDUCING THE RPM TO AS LOW AS 1,300. THIS QUICK SHIFTING UP THROUGH THE GEARS DOES NOT MATCH VEHICLE SPEED RESULTING IN THE RPM BEING TOO LOW TO ACCELERATE WITH THE PACE OF TRAFFIC. THIS CAUSES VEHICLES BEHIND ME TO ALMOST CRASH INTO THE REAR OF M…
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THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS UP TO FOURTH GEAR AS I SLOWLY ACCELERATE TO UP TO 40 MPH REDUCING THE RPM TO AS LOW AS 1,300. THIS QUICK SHIFTING UP THROUGH THE GEARS DOES NOT MATCH VEHICLE SPEED RESULTING IN THE RPM BEING TOO LOW TO ACCELERATE WITH THE PACE OF TRAFFIC. THIS CAUSES VEHICLES BEHIND ME TO ALMOST CRASH INTO THE REAR OF MY CAR DUE THE SLOWING RATE OF MY ACCELERATION CAUSED BY THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING UP TO QUICKLY AND ENGINE BOGGING DOWN. CONVERSELY, WHILE ON FREEWAY ENTRANCE RAMPS GAINING SPEED, THE TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT UP TO FIFTH AT A CONSISTENT PACE UNTIL I REACH 50 MILES PER HOUR THEN IT WILL SHIFT BACK DOWN TO FOURTH ALTHOUGH I HAVE NOT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FOR A FASTER PACE. THIS HAPPENS CONSISTENTLY AS DO THE QUICK SHIFTS AT LOWER SPEEDS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10546899
30,100 miles · Oct 6, 2013
StructureVisibility
I HAD THE REAR OF THE SUNROOF OPENED WHILE PARKED. I TRIED TO CLOSE IT AND IT WOULD NOT FULLY CLOSE. IT WOULD ALMOST CLOSE THEN STOP THEN RETREAT UPWARD A FEW MILLIMETERS AND STOP. I TRIED AGAIN SEVERAL TIMES. I TRIED TO SELECT THE OPTION TO SLIDE THE SUNROOF BACK INTO THE ROOF AND THAT DID NOT FUNCTION EITHER. I CHECKED FR…
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I HAD THE REAR OF THE SUNROOF OPENED WHILE PARKED. I TRIED TO CLOSE IT AND IT WOULD NOT FULLY CLOSE. IT WOULD ALMOST CLOSE THEN STOP THEN RETREAT UPWARD A FEW MILLIMETERS AND STOP. I TRIED AGAIN SEVERAL TIMES. I TRIED TO SELECT THE OPTION TO SLIDE THE SUNROOF BACK INTO THE ROOF AND THAT DID NOT FUNCTION EITHER. I CHECKED FROM BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT SIDES, INSIDE AND FROM OUTSIDE TO SEE IF THERE WAS AN OBSTRUCTION BUT NOTED NOTHING. THE LAST COUPLE OF TIMES I TRIED TO CLOSE IT, IT BEGAN AUDIBLY CLICKING IN THE SLIDE MECHANISMS THEN FROM INSIDE THE DRIVER'S COMPARTMENT, UNDER THE HEADLINER, NEAR THE REARVIEW MIRROR. I STOPPED TRYING TO CLOSE IT AT THAT POINT. IT REMAINS SLIGHTLY AJAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10546898
23,500 miles · Oct 6, 2013
Equipment
THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY UPDATE ITS INFORMATION. I REQUESTED THE DEALER TO UPDATE MY NAVIGATION DATABASE WHILE I HAD MY BORREGO IN THEIR SHOP FOR OTHER SERVICE. I WAS TOLD THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN REQUESTED TO PERFORM THAT SERVICE BUT WOULD RESEARCH MY REQUEST. I WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO BUY A DISK…
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THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY UPDATE ITS INFORMATION. I REQUESTED THE DEALER TO UPDATE MY NAVIGATION DATABASE WHILE I HAD MY BORREGO IN THEIR SHOP FOR OTHER SERVICE. I WAS TOLD THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN REQUESTED TO PERFORM THAT SERVICE BUT WOULD RESEARCH MY REQUEST. I WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO BUY A DISKETTE WITH UPDATED NAVIGATION INFORMATION FROM INFINITY, SCHEDULE A RETURN VISIT FOR THE BORREGO, DOWNLOAD THE INFORMATION, CHARGE ME FOR THE DISKETTE BUT THEY WOULD KEEP THE DISKETTE AND CHARGE ME FOR THEIR SHOP TIME. THE ESTIMATED COST WAS OVER $400.00. I REFUSE TO PAY FOR A SERVICE THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY WARRANTY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10546896
23,000 miles · Oct 6, 2013
TiresWheels
I REPLACED THE ORIGINAL TIRES (HANKOOK) AT APPROXIMATELY 25,000 MILES DUE TO MINIMAL TREAD LEFT ON THEM, CUPPING AND THEY PROVIDED A HARSH RIDE. THE NEW TIRES AND ORIGINAL WHEELS WERE BALANCED DURING INSTALLATION. THE WHOLE BORREGO SHAKES WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 10 AND 35 MPH. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE NEW TIRE INSTALLER AND HAD THE…
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I REPLACED THE ORIGINAL TIRES (HANKOOK) AT APPROXIMATELY 25,000 MILES DUE TO MINIMAL TREAD LEFT ON THEM, CUPPING AND THEY PROVIDED A HARSH RIDE. THE NEW TIRES AND ORIGINAL WHEELS WERE BALANCED DURING INSTALLATION. THE WHOLE BORREGO SHAKES WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 10 AND 35 MPH. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE NEW TIRE INSTALLER AND HAD THEM ALL REBALANCED. IT STILL SHOOK BUT LESS THAN BEFORE. I HAVE HAD THEM REBALANCED TWO ADDITIONAL TIMES AT TWO DIFFERENT TIRE SALES AND SERVICE RETAILERS SINCE THE FIRST TWO BALANCINGS ON THE NEW TIRES. I HAVE HAD THE WHEELS AND TIRES REBALANCED FOUR TIMES IN THE 7,000 MILES THE NEW TIRES HAVE BEEN INSTALLED. THE SHAKING HAS NEVER BEEN RESOLVED. I SUSPECT THE LUG HOLES IN THE WHEELS ARE NO LONGER ROUND. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10546895
20,000 miles · Oct 5, 2013
Steering
THE STEERING COLUMN DOES NOT TELESCOPE EITHER IN OR OUT. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOVE 90 DEGREES. TEMPERATURES LESS THAN 90 USED TO ALLOW NORMAL OPERATION. NOW IT DOES NOT TELESCOPE AT ALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10546893
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
40,000 miles · Feb 14, 2013
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA BORREGO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60, SHE DROVE OVER A POTHOLE AND THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE FAILURE RECURRED ONE OTHER TIME. A DEALER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
NHTSA ODI #10498123
11,000 miles · Aug 7, 2012
Fuel/propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA BORREGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VEHICLE BECAME RESISTANT TO REFUELING ATTEMPTS AND THE FUEL PUMP WOULD CONTINUOUSLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE AIR FILTER AS A TEMPORARY REMEDY. THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA BORREGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VEHICLE BECAME RESISTANT TO REFUELING ATTEMPTS AND THE FUEL PUMP WOULD CONTINUOUSLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE AIR FILTER AS A TEMPORARY REMEDY. THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 19,945.
NHTSA ODI #10469500
35,017 miles · Jul 20, 2012
Tires
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA BORREGO EQUIPPED WITH HANKOOK TIRES, SIZE: 265/60R18. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN HE WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS TIRE ROT BEING EXPERIENCED ON THE TREAD OF ALL FOUR TIRES. THE MANUFACTURER OF THE TIRES WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA BORREGO EQUIPPED WITH HANKOOK TIRES, SIZE: 265/60R18. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN HE WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS TIRE ROT BEING EXPERIENCED ON THE TREAD OF ALL FOUR TIRES. THE MANUFACTURER OF THE TIRES WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY TAKEN TO THREE DIFFERENT CERTIFIED DEALERS, WHERE THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPAIRED OR REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,017. UPDATED 09/05/12*LJ ALL FOUR OF THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 09/10/2012 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10466725
1,000 miles · Apr 9, 2012
Fuel System, Gasoline
GAS OVERFLOWS EVERY TIME VEHICLE IS FUELED. AFTER ABOUT 3 GALLONS, FUEL BACKS UP THE FILL TUBE AND SPILLS DOWN THE SIDE AND ONTO THE GROUND. *TR
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.
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.
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.
2009 Kia Borrego Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year