2009 Kia SPORTAGE: complaints, problems and recalls

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 6 MPH HE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULT STEERING. ALSO THE VEHICLE FAILED TO CONVEY TO THE FUEL ECONOMY RECOMMENDED STANDARDS OF 16 TO 24 MPG FOR IN THE CITY DRIVING. THE VEHICLE MAINTAINED A FUEL ECONOMY OF 12 MPG. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NEW, AND MUST ATTAIN 4,000 MILEAGE FOR RESOLUTION TO THE MALFUNCTIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON FIVE SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR THE IDENTICAL …

Owner-reported narrative. 130 miles reported. Look up ODI 10289796 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPORTAGE WHICH WAS PURCHASED IN SEPTEMBER 2009. HE STATED THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL WAS DANGEROUS AND IF THERE WAS VERY LITTLE WHEEL SLIP, THE ENGINE WOULD SLOW DOWN ALMOST TO A STALL AND THE RPMS WOULD IDLE VERY HIGH. THE TRACTION CONTROL WOULD NOT ALLOW HIM TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR WHILE FUNCTIONING . HIS CONCERN WAS THAT FOLLOWING VEHICLES WOULD NOT BE AWARE OF THE VEHICLE SLOWING DOWN AND COULD POTENTIALLY CRASH INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND COULD NOT ASSIST WITH HIS CONCER…

Owner-reported narrative. 5,522 miles reported. Look up ODI 10298568 at NHTSA ↗

I WAS DRIVING 30 MPH AND THE ROAD STARTED TO SLOPE DOWNWARDS, SO I STARTED TO BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN. THE CAR DID NOT STOP. BRAKES MADE A GRINDING NOISE BUT DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. I DROVE STRAIGHT INTO THE INTERSECTION. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10317125 at NHTSA ↗

I OWN A 2009 KIA SPORTSTER SUV AND ONLY IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS CAN ONE READ THE INSTRUMENTS INCLUDING THE SPEEDOMETER AND THE CLOCK. WHILE TRYING TO DETERMINE THE SPEED TO BE WITHIN THE SPEED LIMIT, IT TAKES SO LONG TO GET INTO A POSITION TO READ THE SPEEDOMETER THAT ONE CAN EASILY CROSSOVER INTO THE ONCOMING LANE OR OFF THE ROAD. AT NIGHT THE PANELS ARE VERY VISIBLE AND I MIGHT SAY ATTRACTIVE BUT DURING DAYLIGHT HOUSE THEY ARE USELESS. I REMOVED THE BLACK HOUSING SURROUNDING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND PAINTED IT SILVER. THIS HAS HELPED SOME BUT…

Owner-reported narrative. 400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10320303 at NHTSA ↗

I BOUGHT A 2009 KIA SPORTAGE THAT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR ALL BUT 3 DAYS OF MARCH DUE TO THE CAR STALLING, STOPPING AND NOT GOING FORWARD WHEN YOU PRESS GAS PEDAL. WHILE THE DEALERSHIP HAS TRIED TO REPAIR THE CAR IS BECOING WORSE, THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT HELP ME IN ANY WAY TO OBTAIN THE "LEMON LAW" FORMS NEEDED. I BOUGHT THE CAR AT PARSONS KIA, WINCHESTER, VA

Owner-reported narrative. 9,696 miles reported. Look up ODI 10321337 at NHTSA ↗

I BOUGHT A NEW KIA SPORTAGE & IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 25 DAYS IN MARCH, 22 DAYS IN APRIL OF 2010. THE CAR DIES AS YOU ARE DRIVING & WHEN IT BEGINS TO GO IT HOPS & DOES NOT WANT TO GO. I HAVE HAS THIS CAR IN THE SHOP 6 TIMES SINCE THE END OF FEB. 2010. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 9,228 miles reported. Look up ODI 10328170 at NHTSA ↗

VEHICLE PULLS TO RIGHT, HAS BEEN REPORTED TO AND LOOKED AT BY JIM BUTLER KIA ST LOUIS, HAS BEEN BACK TO JIM BUTLER MANY TIMES SINCE FEBRUARY, THEY ARE UNABLE TO REPAIR IT, I BELIEVE MAY SAFETY IS COMPROMISED BY THIS CONDITION. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 13,027 miles reported. Look up ODI 10336324 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING INTO A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. HE STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME SO SENSITIVE THAT HE HAD TO USE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN DRIVING FORWARD, BACKWARDS OR WHEN THE ROAD WAS SLIGHTLY SLANTED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A KIA DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED THAT WAY. A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED; HOWEVER, IT DID NOT DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30. THE CURRENT MILE…

Owner-reported narrative. 30 miles reported. Look up ODI 10344907 at NHTSA ↗

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.

Reported: 2016-11-10 (November 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: 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.

Reported: 2022-10-24 (October 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: 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.