2009 Kia SORENTO: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
55 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
43,225 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 40 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 14 of 55 complaints (25.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 13 | 23.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 11 | 20.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 9 | 16.4% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 9.1% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 1.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 14 |
| Electrical System | 12 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 8 |
| Power Train | 6 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 6 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 5 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 |
| Engine | 4 |
Air Bags: 14; Electrical System: 12; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 8; Power Train: 6; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 6; Air Bags:Frontal: 5; Vehicle Speed Control: 5; Engine: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 15 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 8 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 15; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 8; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 3
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (15). 15 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 8 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 7 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2009: 3; 2010: 8; 2011: 5; 2012: 2; 2013: 6; 2014: 3; 2015: 7; 2016: 3; 2017: 4; 2018: 1; 2019: 3; 2020: 3; 2021: 1; 2022: 2; 2023: 1; 2024: 1; 2025: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 13 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 11 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 9 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10276722 · 2009-07-14 (July 14, 2009)
SINCE JANUARY 2009 WE HAVE BEEN FIGHTING WITH KIA MOTORS BECAUSE MY PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT WILL NOT ACTIVATE WHEN SOMEONE IS SEATED IN THE SEAT. ALL KIA HAS DONE IS UPDATE THE VEHICLES COMPUTER SYSTEM, WHICH HASN'T WORKED. THEY HAVE ISSUED A SAFETY RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM, BUT THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT SAYING THAT THE VEHICLE IS OPERATING AS IT WAS DESIGNED TO DO. MY PROBLEM IS THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOW UNSAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE WITH A PASSENGER. I HAVE BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO THEM 12 TIMES ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU HAS TOLD ME THERE IS…
Owner-reported narrative. 17,863 miles reported. Look up ODI 10276722 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10293703 · 2009-11-27 (November 27, 2009)
I BOUGHT A USED 2009 SORENTO KIA AND WHEN MY WIFE WAS SEATED ON THE PASSENGER SEAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF SIGN WAS ON. THE LIGHT COMES OFF/ON RANDOMLY WHEN A PASSENGER IS ON THE SEAT. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10293703 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10293999 · 2009-11-30 (November 30, 2009)
WE HAVE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM ON OUR 2008 KIA SORENTO. THE SYSTEM IS DEACTIVATED WHEN THERE IS AN ADULT PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT.. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIR FOUR TIMES. THE PASSENGER SEAT HAS BEEN REPLACED AND THE COMPUTER HAS BEEN REPROGRAMMED. AT THIS TIME THE DEALER HAS INFORMED US THAT KIA TECH LINE HAS DETERMINED THAT THE SYSTEM IS WORKING AS DESIGNED AND THERE ARE NO FURTHER REPAIRS THAT CAN BE PERFORMED. WE HAVE FOLLOWED ALL PROCEDURES OUTLINED IN THE OWNERS MANUAL AND STILL THE SYSTEM DOES…
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10293999 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10308610 · 2010-02-10 (February 10, 2010)
2011 KIA SORENTO; RENTAL VEHICLE FROM NATIONAL RENTAL. CRUISING AT 65 MPH AND CAR BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY JERK CAUSING PARTIAL LOSS OF CONTROL. MADE POPPING SOUNDS, AND SMOKE CAME OUT REAR OF VEHICLE. CAR BARELY MOVED AND HAD TO BE TOWED FROM SCENE. DURING INCIDENT, VEHICLE WAS VERY HARD TO KEEP UNDER CONTROL AND IN DESIGNATED TRAFFIC LANE. NATIONAL RENTAL SENT A TOW TRUCK AND A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE. THIS KIA HAD 62 MILES ON IT AT TIME OF FAILURE. TOW DRIVER THOUGHT IT WAS A TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THIS INCIDENT NEARLY CAUSED ME TO TOTALLY LOOSE CONTRO…
Owner-reported narrative. 62 miles reported. Look up ODI 10308610 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10314369 · 2010-03-03 (March 3, 2010)
2009 KIA SORENTO. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE DOES NOT PROTECT THE FRONT PASSENGER IF THE WEIGHT IS LESS THAN 120 POUNDS. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE PANEL READ PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10314369 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10319301 · 2010-03-12 (March 12, 2010)
2011 KIA SORENTO, CHROME BEZEL ON INSTRUMENT PANEL REFLECTS SUN LIGHT AND STREET LIGHTS INTENSE ENOUGH TO CAUSE TEMP BLINDING FLASH. CONTACT KIA VEHICLE IS NEW AND NO OTHER COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10319301 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10321575 · 2010-03-23 (March 23, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED BY AN ADULT, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT INDICATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS OFF. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PASSENGER WAS SEATED IN THE VEHICLE INCORRECTLY AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT WANT TO ADMIT FAULT TO THE FAILURE AND WAS CONCERNED WITH THE OVERALL SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE. IF INVOLVED IN A CRASH, THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY. THE F…
Owner-reported narrative. 700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10321575 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10347484 · 2010-08-05 (August 5, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE CONSOLE WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPIED. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER MADE REPAIRS TO THE SENSOR YET THE FAILURE PERSISTED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE AN INVESTIGATOR FROM THE MANUFACTURER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS NORMAL. THE VE…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10347484 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
13V114000 · Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch
Reported: 2013-04-01 (April 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V088000 · Electrical System | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module
Reported: 2020-02-14 (February 14, 2020)
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Sedona and 2007-2009 Sorento vehicles. Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.
Consequence: An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the vehicle is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the main junction box to prevent power from being directed to the HECU when the vehicle's ignition switch is turned off, free of charge. The recall began June 5, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC186.
NHTSA campaign record ↗