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
11,000 miles · Jan 26, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA BORREGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE REAR BRAKES LOCKED CAUSING THE REAR END TO DRAG AND THE ROTORS TO OVER HEAT. THE FAILURE COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FIRE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA BORREGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE REAR BRAKES LOCKED CAUSING THE REAR END TO DRAG AND THE ROTORS TO OVER HEAT. THE FAILURE COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FIRE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS BUT THE REPAIR WILL BE COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000.
NHTSA ODI #10378774
6,000 miles · Aug 12, 2010
Parking BrakePower Train
ON MY NEW KIA BORREGO, 2009 WITH 6000 MILES ON IT. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGH WAY I WAS TRYING TO STOP QUICKLY FROM 70 MILES TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN THE FRONT OF ME WHO SUDDENLY STOP DUE TO SOME CONSTRUCTION ON THE HIGH WAY. I HIT THE BRAKE VERY HARD. THE CAR START PULSATING AND SHAKING VERY HARD. IT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO…
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ON MY NEW KIA BORREGO, 2009 WITH 6000 MILES ON IT. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGH WAY I WAS TRYING TO STOP QUICKLY FROM 70 MILES TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN THE FRONT OF ME WHO SUDDENLY STOP DUE TO SOME CONSTRUCTION ON THE HIGH WAY. I HIT THE BRAKE VERY HARD. THE CAR START PULSATING AND SHAKING VERY HARD. IT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL. IT WAS A HORRIFYING MOMENT BEFORE FINALLY THE CAR SPEED WENT TO ABOUT 15 MILES. WHEN I TRIED TO CATCH THE TRAFFIC FLOW AGAIN, I PRESSED THE GAS PADDLE, HOWEVER IT THE CAR FELT VERY VERY HEAVY LIKE I WAS DRAGGING A TRAIN BEHIND ME, AND THE ESC LIGHT KEPT FLASHING IN THE DASH BOARD. I HAD TO PUT THE TRANSMISSION HANDLE FROM THE AUTO MODE TO THE MANUAL MODE. WHEN I DID THAT, I FOUND THE TRANSMISSION WAS STUCK AND LOCKED ON THE 4TH SPEED . I HAD TO PULL THE TRANSMISSION HANDLE BACK TO THE 1ST SPEED THEN TO THE SECOND BEFORE THE CAR WAS ABLE TO RUN AGAIN, THEN I PUT THE TRANSMISSION ON AUTO AGAIN. DEALER SAID IT WAS A PAD BRAKE ROTORS AND HAD TO CHANGE ALL 4 OF THEM. THERE WAS BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE FRONT BRAKE SIDES AND A LOT OF BLACK DUST COVERING THE 4 WHILES REMS, DEALER SAID IT IS A BRAKE DUST. THEN THEY DID UPGRADE TO THE COMPUTER REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION. THAT WAS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE BUT THE SECOND TIME I HAVE PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. VERY SCARY AND UNSAFE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10348930
5,800 miles · Aug 12, 2010
Power Train
MY KIA NEW BORREGO 2009 WITH 5800 MILES ON IT. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGH WAY THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 60 MILES AND TRIED TO ACCELERATE, THE ENGINE RPM WENT UP TO ABOUT 5000 WITH NO TRANSMISSION LOCK, THE CAR WAS STALLING WITHOUT MOVING ON THE HIGH WAY. I HAD TO REMOVE MY FOOT FROM THE GAS PADDLE UNTIL …
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MY KIA NEW BORREGO 2009 WITH 5800 MILES ON IT. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGH WAY THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 60 MILES AND TRIED TO ACCELERATE, THE ENGINE RPM WENT UP TO ABOUT 5000 WITH NO TRANSMISSION LOCK, THE CAR WAS STALLING WITHOUT MOVING ON THE HIGH WAY. I HAD TO REMOVE MY FOOT FROM THE GAS PADDLE UNTIL RPM WENT DOWN TO ABOUT 2000 BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED BACK AGAIN AND THE CAR WAS ABLE TO RUN AGAIN, VERY VERY SCARY ON THE HIGH WAY. I WAS LIKE A LAM DUCK UNABLE TO MOVE. DEALER SAID IT IS A COMPUTER UPGRADE RECALL, AFTER THE UPGRADE, THE TRANSMISSION WAS SO ROUGH TO DRIVE, THEY SAID IT MAY TAKE 300 MILES MORE BEFORE THE COMPUTER ADAPT. WILL WAIT AND SEE! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10348927
40,000 miles · Jul 6, 2010
Power Train
WHILE THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING, THE 2009 KIA BORREGO BECOMES STUCK IN DRIVE, NOT ALLOWING THE DRIVER TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK. THIS HAS OCCURRED TWICE, BOTH TIMES THE DEALER HAS INDICATED THAT IT IS DUE TO A COMPUTER FAILURE IN THE VEHICLE. THERE IS SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RISK IN NOT BEING ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE DRIVE …
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WHILE THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING, THE 2009 KIA BORREGO BECOMES STUCK IN DRIVE, NOT ALLOWING THE DRIVER TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK. THIS HAS OCCURRED TWICE, BOTH TIMES THE DEALER HAS INDICATED THAT IT IS DUE TO A COMPUTER FAILURE IN THE VEHICLE. THERE IS SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RISK IN NOT BEING ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE DRIVE POSITION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10341680
20,000 miles · May 26, 2010
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA MOTOR BORREGO. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THEY DID NOT ENGAGE; THE FAILURE RESULTED IN A CRASH. NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP THAT WORKS WITH THE AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP. THE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA MOTOR BORREGO. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THEY DID NOT ENGAGE; THE FAILURE RESULTED IN A CRASH. NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP THAT WORKS WITH THE AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 20,000.
NHTSA ODI #10332388
3,000 miles · Apr 5, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
STOPPING AT TRAFFIC LIGHT. WITH FOOT ON BRAKE, CAR ACCELERATED. HAD TO TURN ENGINE OFF. HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS AGO. TODAY, 4/5/10 HAPPENED AGAIN. TURNED KEY OFF. SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL. RESTARTED ENGINE. SHIFTED TO DRIVE AND CAR ACCELERATED TO OVER 3000 RPM. TURNED ENGINE OFF, RESTARTED, OPERATED OK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10323750
150 miles · Nov 20, 2009
Visibility
NEW 2009 KIA BORREGO DIFFICULT TO KEEP BETWEEN THE WHITE LINES WHEN DRIVING. I NOTICE IT MORE WHEN I'M ON THE FREEWAY. SERVICE TECH DROVE CAR WITH ME AND AGREES WITH COMPLAINT. HE STATED, "YOU HAVE TO CONCENTRATE TO KEEP IT STRAIGHT!" ALSO, SAID THAT IT CAN'T BE FIXED IT IS JUST THE WAY KIA MANUFACTURES THIS CAR. EVERYDAY W…
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NEW 2009 KIA BORREGO DIFFICULT TO KEEP BETWEEN THE WHITE LINES WHEN DRIVING. I NOTICE IT MORE WHEN I'M ON THE FREEWAY. SERVICE TECH DROVE CAR WITH ME AND AGREES WITH COMPLAINT. HE STATED, "YOU HAVE TO CONCENTRATE TO KEEP IT STRAIGHT!" ALSO, SAID THAT IT CAN'T BE FIXED IT IS JUST THE WAY KIA MANUFACTURES THIS CAR. EVERYDAY WHEN DRIVING I FEEL LIKE I AM GOING TO HIT THE CAR NEXT TO ME OR THEY ARE GOING TO HIT ME! ITS NOT SAFE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10293054
52 miles · Sep 18, 2009
Steering
MY BRAND NEW 2009 BORREGO PULLS TO RIGHT AND I SHOULD KEEP STEERING WHEEL TO LEFT SIDE WHEN I WANT TO DRIVE IT STRAIGHT FORWARD. THE DEALERSHIP MECHANICS ATTEMPTED TO FIX IT FIVE TIMES BUT FAILED. THEY ROTATED THE TIRES AND CHECKED ALIGNMENT AGAIN WITH LITTLE DIFFERENCE. AFTER ALL THE ATTEMPTS THEY INSIST THAT PULLING TO R…
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MY BRAND NEW 2009 BORREGO PULLS TO RIGHT AND I SHOULD KEEP STEERING WHEEL TO LEFT SIDE WHEN I WANT TO DRIVE IT STRAIGHT FORWARD. THE DEALERSHIP MECHANICS ATTEMPTED TO FIX IT FIVE TIMES BUT FAILED. THEY ROTATED THE TIRES AND CHECKED ALIGNMENT AGAIN WITH LITTLE DIFFERENCE. AFTER ALL THE ATTEMPTS THEY INSIST THAT PULLING TO RIGHT SIDE IS NATURAL BECAUSE OF ROAD SHAPE( CROWN PHENOMENON? ) *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