NHTSA vehicle safety data

2009 Kia Borrego Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2009 Kia Borrego has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 88 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Kia dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2009 Kia Borrego, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2009 Kia Borrego owner complaints

Owners have filed 88 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Kia Borrego, describing incidents dated September 16, 2008 to July 30, 2026.

Most-cited components

Power Train 16 complaints
Service Brakes 16 complaints
Electrical System 15 complaints
Seat Belts 11 complaints
Unknown or Other 10 complaints
Steering 9 complaints

Of the 88 complaints on file, 8 report a crash; across all 88 complaints, owners report 3 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11753726 · Filed July 30, 2026
The Car Transmission Shift Lever Panel dust cover breaks down and causes issues with the vehicle staying in gear while driving.
ODI #11700707 · Filed November 21, 2025
Something within the brake system is causing my shifter to not communicate with the brakes and will not allow my car to go into reverse or park. It stays stuck on drive or neutral. The only thing I can do is shut the car off and can’t do much except for move around the key until I can put the car…
ODI #11623868 · Filed November 6, 2024
I have owned this car since it was new. Anchors Kia hung up on me 3x as I tried to get 2 recall items addressed. I then called the Kia hotline and got hung up on. All I want is my recalled item taken care of…

Read all 88 complaints

Headliner Plate Detachment

NHTSA #23V692000 · Structure — Body — Roof and Pillars · NHTSA notice

Reported October 13, 2023 · Kia America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 22,768 vehicles

Repair completion: 11.91% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Kia campaign SC286 · Owners notified November 30, 2023

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A headliner plate that detaches during a crash may strike an occupant, increasing their risk of injury.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Stop Lamp Switch may Function Intermittently

NHTSA #13V114000 · Exterior Lighting — Brake Lights — Switch · NHTSA notice

Reported April 1, 2013 · Kia Motors Corporation

Potentially affected: 980,377 vehicles

Kia campaign SC098 · Owners notified April 19, 2013 · Vehicles built May 2, 2008 – January 20, 2009 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

BRAKE PEDAL MOUNT REPLACEMENT

NHTSA #12V245000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Pedals and Linkages · NHTSA notice

Reported May 31, 2012 · KIA MOTORS CORPORATION

Potentially affected: 21,912 vehicles

Kia campaign SC096 · Owners notified June 15, 2012 · Vehicles built May 2, 2008 – January 20, 2009 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

KIA'S SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS SC096.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

2009 Kia Borrego 4-DR w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

18% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

88 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2009 Kia Borrego.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11753726

Incident: July 30, 2026 · Filed: July 30, 2026

The Car Transmission Shift Lever Panel dust cover breaks down and causes issues with the vehicle staying in gear while driving.

Unknown or Other; Service Brakes

ODI #11700707

Incident: November 5, 2025 · Filed: November 21, 2025

Something within the brake system is causing my shifter to not communicate with the brakes and will not allow my car to go into reverse or park. It stays stuck on drive or neutral. The only thing I can do is shut the car off and can’t do much except for move around the key until I can put the car into park. Then that is hot and starts making under the hood hot. Then the check engine light will go on and off. It is also making a leak of brake fluid somewhere which is making the brakes go to the floor and making it dangerous when trying to stop the vehicle.

Electrical System; Unknown or Other

ODI #11623868

Incident: November 6, 2024 · Filed: November 6, 2024

I have owned this car since it was new. Anchors Kia hung up on me 3x as I tried to get 2 recall items addressed. I then called the Kia hotline and got hung up on. All I want is my recalled item taken care of…

Air Bags; Engine

ODI #11618006

Crash

Incident: November 8, 2022 · Filed: October 4, 2024

Air bag - During a bad rain storm a couple years ago I had an accident and hit the center divider after entering the freeway going 50 mph instead of 65 mph and none of my airbags deployed. I let my insurance know as well as the repair shop but it is UNKNOWN if they actually checked. The light on my dash showed my airbags were on. Engine- My engine started to make a rattling noise that sounds like a diesel vehicle starting up during a cold starts. I have took it to the dealership I bought it from multiple times cause it has gotten louder and worst they claimed the looked at it and said that it was normal and decided to max out my GAP insurance so I can no longer take it in for that issue but my normal mechanic states that is not normal and it should not be making that noise. There were no lights or warning signs of any sort.

Electrical System; Seat Belts; Engine

ODI #11577331

Incident: February 2, 2024 · Filed: March 14, 2024

I absolutely love my kia borrego and have been trying to find a way to give the car back and end payments on it because I can't afford to put parts on it anymore. I'm on disability and can't seem to find the real issue after thousands of dollars in failed attempts. My transmission has not been shifting and if it does shift, it's sudden and aggressive. It will rev up higher than normal and if you continue holding the gas at all it will jerk you as you are driving. It has nearly caused me to swerve or be hit by anyone following. It feels like someone hits the car from behind very hard. Not only is it scary, it is aggressive and could cause whiplash or harm to my children. On 3 occasions I have been driving and my seat belt has randomly popped off on the driver seat and twice in the passenger seat. It's awful I have to plan where I will park or my route because my car randomly shuts off while driving which is dangerous on the curvy roads where I live and the car mostly doesn't shift at all while driving after all the money I've wasted trying to have it fixed. This car was the best thing that I have ever owned until it became a dangerous, unreliable nightmare.

Power Train; Seat Belts; Latches/Locks/Linkages

ODI #11543202

Incident: September 7, 2021 · Filed: September 7, 2023

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.

Service Brakes

ODI #11526782

Crash

Incident: May 15, 2023 · Filed: June 13, 2023

The contact owns a 2009 Kia Borrego EX. The contact stated that upon purchasing the vehicle, while driving into her driveway, the vehicle inadvertently applied the brakes, bringing it to a sudden stop. As a result, the contact stated that her friend, who had been following her, collided with the rear of the vehicle. No air bags were deployed. No warning lights were illuminated on the instrument panel. No police report was filed. No injuries were reported. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 172,534.

Exterior Lighting; Service Brakes

ODI #11479609

Incident: July 12, 2022 · Filed: August 16, 2022

After recall for brake light switch was performed at dealership on 7-12-2022 brake light switch sticks causing brake lights to be illuminated randomly. Brake lights stay lit after being parked and may also be lit during operation. This may cause a safety issue if following drivers cannot determine when brakes are applied. Dealership has not rectified this problem. Problem never existed before the recall was performed.

Service Brakes

ODI #11472241

Incident: April 14, 2022 · Filed: July 3, 2022

I was driving in traffic with stop light coming up hit my brakes to slow down because of cars in front of me, I had no brakes/ no warning lights on dash. I pumped my brakes and was able to stop before hitting car in front of me. Local shop said master cylinder so I took it to local shop that repairs my car the last few years, they replaced Kia master cylinder, still no brake, replaced Kia brake booster, still no brakes, sent master cylinder back and reordered another new kia one it was put on and no brakes, had it towed to shop in Charlotte NC , no codes reading for problem so they said it must be the module accuator assembly. No mechanic knows what's wrong with my brakes because nothing can relay to their diagnostic machines. I have spent over about 13 hundred dollars so far and there is no way to find out what's wrong other than replace the entire brake system from wheels inward to the brake assembly and up to the booster and master cylinder because the brake assembly is not relaying any codes. I could of been in a bad accident because of my brakes failing.

Seat Belts; Service Brakes; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11406202

Incident: March 31, 2021 · Filed: April 3, 2021

THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT UNFASTENS WHILE DRIVING AND THE RIGHT REAR AND CENTER SEAT BELTS WILL NOT FASTEN WHETHER DRIVING OR SITTING STILL. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT PROPEL FORWARD FULLY WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED TO INCREASE SPEED WHILE IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY.

Other Kia Borrego model years

Check your 2009 Kia Borrego VIN

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