Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2009 Kia Sorento
NHTSA data on file today
The 2009 Kia Sorento has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 55 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #20V088000 ABS Module May Short Circuit NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #13V114000 Stop Lamp Switch may Function Intermittently NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #11E041000 WIRE HARNESS AND CONVERTER MODULE NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Air Bags 21 complaints
- Electrical System 14 complaints
- Power Train 9 complaints
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC) 8 complaints
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic 6 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 6 complaints
Of the 55 complaints on file, 2 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 55 complaints, owners report 3 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $6,500–$9,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2009 Kia Sorento struggles with electrical system issues, notably in the ABS module, leading to recalls and frequent owner complaints. Other critical systems like airbags and powertrain also report notable problems, necessitating ongoing maintenance and vigilance.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABS module | 60,000–90,000 miles | $750–$1,200 | very common |
| brake light switch | 50,000–80,000 miles | $150–$300 | common |
| electrical system | 70,000–100,000 miles | $200–$500 | common |
| airbag system | 80,000–110,000 miles | $500–$1,000 | occasional |
| powertrain | 90,000–120,000 miles | $1,000–$2,500 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake service and inspection
- Transmission fluid replacement
- Tire rotation and alignment
- Coolant system flush
- Air filter replacement
- Spark plugs replacement
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- ABS warning light on
- Soft or unresponsive brakes
- Fluctuating electrical system
- Unusual engine noises
- Transmission slipping
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2009 Kia Sorento at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.