NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
80 reports39,000 miles · Mar 13, 2014
Visibility/wiper
MY MY2009 KIA SPORTAGE'S SUN VISOR WON'T HOLD UP AND I AM AFRAID THAT IF I AM INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, MY HEAD WILL HIT THE HANGING-DOWN VISOR FIRST; IT CREATES A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. I SEARCHED ONLINE AND LEARNED THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) ISSUED BY KIA IN JULY OF 2010 ONLY FOR MY 2008 SPORTAGE WITH THE SA…
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MY MY2009 KIA SPORTAGE'S SUN VISOR WON'T HOLD UP AND I AM AFRAID THAT IF I AM INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, MY HEAD WILL HIT THE HANGING-DOWN VISOR FIRST; IT CREATES A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. I SEARCHED ONLINE AND LEARNED THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) ISSUED BY KIA IN JULY OF 2010 ONLY FOR MY 2008 SPORTAGE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. KIA KNEW THERE ARE ISSUES WITH THEIR SUN VISOR DESIGN AND IN MY OPINION THEY SHOULD ALSO INCLUDE MANY OTHER MODEL YEARS IN THE TSB. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10569080
75,000 miles · Oct 23, 2013
Exterior Lighting
A FEW MONTHS AGO, THERE WAS A RECALL ON A MALFUNCTION DEALING WITH THE BRAKE LIGHTS. SO I TOOK MY KIA INTO [XXX] AND THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM. A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, THE SAME MALFUNCTION OCCURRED. I ONLY HAVE THE TOP BRAKE LIGHT THAT WORKS AND NEED TO KNOW IF I CAN TAKE MY KIA BACK INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET IT FIXED. I AM WOR…
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A FEW MONTHS AGO, THERE WAS A RECALL ON A MALFUNCTION DEALING WITH THE BRAKE LIGHTS. SO I TOOK MY KIA INTO [XXX] AND THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM. A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, THE SAME MALFUNCTION OCCURRED. I ONLY HAVE THE TOP BRAKE LIGHT THAT WORKS AND NEED TO KNOW IF I CAN TAKE MY KIA BACK INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET IT FIXED. I AM WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF DRIVING MY VEHICLE TO AND FROM WORK. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10549292
144,546 miles · Oct 21, 2013
Steering
WHILE DRIVING THROUGH SOME CURVE ON HWY 50 INTO AUSTIN NV. THE POWER STEERING FAILED, ON A HARD RIGHT CURVE, NO ASSIST UNTIL I CAME INTO A STRAIGHT AWAY, POWER STEERING WORKED FINE, THEN AGAIN ON A RIGHT CURVE IT FAILED. NO POWER ASSIST WITH STEERING UNTIL I GOT BACK ONTO A STRAIGHT AWAY. STOPPED IN AUSTIN CHECK POWER STEERING…
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WHILE DRIVING THROUGH SOME CURVE ON HWY 50 INTO AUSTIN NV. THE POWER STEERING FAILED, ON A HARD RIGHT CURVE, NO ASSIST UNTIL I CAME INTO A STRAIGHT AWAY, POWER STEERING WORKED FINE, THEN AGAIN ON A RIGHT CURVE IT FAILED. NO POWER ASSIST WITH STEERING UNTIL I GOT BACK ONTO A STRAIGHT AWAY. STOPPED IN AUSTIN CHECK POWER STEERING FLUID LEVEL, IT WAS WITHIN TOLERANCES. NOTE: EACH FAILURE LASTED APPROXIMATELY 1000 FEET. NO DASH WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING ISSUE SINCE ABOUT 100K MILES. DEALER COULD NEVER DUPLICATE, AND NO OTHER ISSUES WITH POWER STEERING. WE HAVE HAD THE POWER STEERING PUMP FLUSHED, BUT NO CHANGE SINCE THIS LAST EPISODE MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE AN ISSUE, SUGGESTED PUTTING ON A NEW POWER STEERING PUMP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10548675
49,693 miles · Aug 7, 2013
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE COMPLETING A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE STEERING RACK WAS LEAKING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,693 AND THE APPROX…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE COMPLETING A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE STEERING RACK WAS LEAKING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,693 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA ODI #10534091
64,000 miles · Jul 26, 2013
Electrical SystemFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INSURANCE ADJUSTER, WHO CONCLUDED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE REAR DA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INSURANCE ADJUSTER, WHO CONCLUDED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE REAR DASHBOARD AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000.
NHTSA ODI #10532051
72,000 miles · Jul 19, 2013
Steering
:: WARNING :: DANGEROUS :: KIA SPORTAGE DEFECT :: I OWN THE 2009 KIA SPORTAGE AND IT SEEMS THAT THERE IS A PERVASIVE PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING CUTTING OUT, MAKING THE VEHICLE VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO NAVIGATE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND THE COMPLAINTS AND BLOG POST ONLINE FURTHER VALIDATE THE SERIOUSNESS OF PROBLEM…
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:: WARNING :: DANGEROUS :: KIA SPORTAGE DEFECT :: I OWN THE 2009 KIA SPORTAGE AND IT SEEMS THAT THERE IS A PERVASIVE PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING CUTTING OUT, MAKING THE VEHICLE VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO NAVIGATE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND THE COMPLAINTS AND BLOG POST ONLINE FURTHER VALIDATE THE SERIOUSNESS OF PROBLEMS AND ITS WIDESPREAD PREVALENCE. I HOPE KIA WILL STEP-UP AND FIX THIS VERY DANGEROUS DEFECT BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED. THANKS! TWO SHORT URL SOURCES: HTTP://GOO.GL/X30N9 AND HTTP://GOO.GL/24P3Q *TR
NHTSA ODI #10525768
2,800 miles · Jun 13, 2013
Service Brakes
THE SPORTAGE WAS GARAGED DURING A WINTER VACATION. UPON RETURN WE FOUND THE BRAKES SEIZED UP. AFTER GETTING THEM RELEASED, WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. THERE WAS CORROSION SO THE REAR BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED ON JUNE 11, 2010. THE SAME FAILURE HAPPENED AGAIN IN 2011, 2012 AND IN 2013 THE SEIZURE AND CORROSION…
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THE SPORTAGE WAS GARAGED DURING A WINTER VACATION. UPON RETURN WE FOUND THE BRAKES SEIZED UP. AFTER GETTING THEM RELEASED, WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. THERE WAS CORROSION SO THE REAR BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED ON JUNE 11, 2010. THE SAME FAILURE HAPPENED AGAIN IN 2011, 2012 AND IN 2013 THE SEIZURE AND CORROSION ARE SEVERE. THIS WILL LEAD TO PREMATURE BRAKE FAILURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10519698
25,848 miles · May 9, 2013
Exterior LightingService BrakesService Brakes, Hydraulic
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ESC OFF SWITCH ILLUMINATED AS THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STOP LAMP SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUD…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ESC OFF SWITCH ILLUMINATED AS THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STOP LAMP SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER : 13V114000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,848. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10511311
58,000 miles · Apr 12, 2013
Exterior Lighting
THE HEADLIGHTS OF THE VEHICLE HAVE STRESS CRACKS THAT WILL ALLOW MOISTURE TO ENTER THE ASSEMBLY. THIS MOISTURE WILL CAUSE THE BULB INSIDE THE ASSEMBLY TO FAIL. I HAVE ASKED FOR ASSISTANCE FROM THE ROUNTREE MOORE KIA, AS WELL AS KIA OF NORTH AMERICA TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY BOTH THAT THERE IS NO ACTION THEY WI…
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THE HEADLIGHTS OF THE VEHICLE HAVE STRESS CRACKS THAT WILL ALLOW MOISTURE TO ENTER THE ASSEMBLY. THIS MOISTURE WILL CAUSE THE BULB INSIDE THE ASSEMBLY TO FAIL. I HAVE ASKED FOR ASSISTANCE FROM THE ROUNTREE MOORE KIA, AS WELL AS KIA OF NORTH AMERICA TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY BOTH THAT THERE IS NO ACTION THEY WILL TAKE TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10508087
Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2012
Steering
2009 KIA SPORTAGE. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE STEERING *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN TURNING, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK UP. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10477521
Official recalls
3Oct 24, 2022
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2008-2009 Sportage vehicles previously recalled under recall 16V-815. An engine compartment fire originating from around the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may occur while parked or driving.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures and other vehicles until the recall repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and replace the HECU, its wiring harness, and its fuses, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 22, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC253.
Nov 10, 2016
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 Kia Sportage vehicles manufactured August 9, 2007, to May 13, 2009. The wire harness cover on the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may be improperly sealed allowing water to get onto the HECU circuit board. If the water is contaminated with salt, such as could occur from melted snow, the wire harness connector pins may corrode and the circuit board may short circuit.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the HECU short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the connector pins for corrosion, if no corrosion is found, the connector cover will be replaced. If corrosion is present, the dealer will replace the HECU assembly and the connector cover, free of charge. The recall began on November 28, 2016. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC138.
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
1AQ23002 · Hyundai And Kia Abs Module Fires
Opened Nov 17, 2023 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.
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