Model year record

2009 Kia Sorento recalls & problems

The 2009 Kia Sorento has 3 safety recalls and 55 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (21 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints55filed by owners

Crashes · fires2 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths3 · 0reported in complaints

2009 Kia Sorento in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Electrical systemFeb 14, 2020

Electrical system

Recall 20V088000228,829 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

Components: Electrical system; Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module

Exterior lightingApr 1, 2013

Brake lights › Switch

Recall 13V114000980,377 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

EquipmentOct 6, 2011

Equipment

Recall 11E0410002,398 vehicles

Problem: CURT MANUFACTURING IS RECALLING CERTAIN TOW PACKAGE WIRING HARNESSES, PART NUMBER 56024, THAT CONNECT TOW VEHICLE LIGHTING CIRCUITS TO TRAILER LIGHTING CIRCUITS SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 THROUGH 2011 HYUNDAI VERACRUZ AND KIA SORENTO VEHICLES. THE UNITS ARE NOT WATER-TIGHT AND MOISTURE CAN SEEP INTO THE CONVERTER MODULE AND DEFEAT THE MODULE'S INTERNAL CIRCUIT PROTECTION.
Risk: WITHOUT THE CIRCUIT PROTECTION, THE MODULE CAN OVERHEAT POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Fix: CURT MANUFACTURING WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE TOW PACKAGE WIRING HARNESS. THE REMEDY WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 17, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CURT MANUFACTURING AT 1-715 831-8713.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2009 Kia Sorento 4-DR. w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	19.1%

2009 Kia Sorento NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Sorento 2WD

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Sorento 2WD

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 21 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

Sorento 4WD

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

Sorento 4WD

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Air bagsFrontal; Frontal › Sensor/control module	21	2	0	3	25,481 mi
Electrical systemInstrument cluster/panel; Starter assembly › Solenoid	14	0	0	0	66,000 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Manual transmission	9	0	0	0	5,200 mi
Electronic stability control (esc)	8	0	0	0	66,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	6	0	0	0	140,000 mi
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal	6	0	0	0	66,000 mi
Engine	4	0	0	0	140,000 mi
Seats	3	0	0	0	37,413 mi
Unknown or other	3	0	1	0	—
Service brakes	2	0	0	0	—
Structure	1	0	0	0	—
Tires	1	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Electrical system
The contact owns a 2009 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine, ESC, and ABS warning lights were illuminated. Upon speaking with other independent mechanics, the contact was informed that the failure was likely linked to moisture that might have entered the ABS module. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V088000 (Electrical System, Service Brakes, Hydraulic); which the contact associated with the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was already serviced under recall prior to owning the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The vehicle was…
Nov 1, 2025
Engine
My check engine light is on. It has been on for over 2 or more years. Nobody knows what the codes mean. My timing chain needs to be replaced. My tires are constantly leaking. My battery has been replaced 2 times, and I still cannot start my vehicle even when I get a jump. The interior light when you open the car door, has fallen and is hanging. When I open the back door, the light does not come on so I cannot see what is in the trunk. The handles on both sides of the rear doors are broken and the doors do not open. I have not been able to get my vehicle inspected because of the check engine light and the timing chain. I took it to get inspected last April when it was due and I was told it…
Jun 4, 2023
Unknown or otherFire
Driving on the interstate @ 65mph the car cut off then caught on fire. Smoke came in the car we pulled over to emergency lane exited the car and then flames came up through the console. The car became completely engulfed in flames and totally destroyed. There were no injuries. I have a video of the event. I do not know the cause. All of the gauges were working properly and read normal.
Aug 26, 2024
Electrical system
The contact owns a 2009 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while her daughter was driving approximately 15 MPH, she activated the windshield wipers and the radio, and the vehicle started to stall. The contact stated that her daughter saw the TPMS, and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The contact's daughter drove the vehicle back to the residence. The contactâs husband attempted to duplicate the failure by letting the vehicle idle and then shifted to reverse (R), and the instrument cluster gauges started to function erratically. The contact shifted the vehicle to drive(D) and depressed the accelerator pedal however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated he shifted to…
Apr 26, 2023 · 185,000 miles
Electrical system
Currently my ESC OFF warning light is lit on my dash, and while lit my vehicle has trouble accelerating from 0 to 40 mph. The warning light goes on and off at random. I have had the accelerator pedal assembly replacement in 2015 and 2019 due to the same issue. It is NOW happening again in 2022!!!. Is this a design flaw issue? It's definitely a safety issue! How can consumers be protected from these issues?
Jun 1, 2022
Electrical system
The contact owns a 2009 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V088000 (Electrical System, Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Jan 22, 2021
Engine
The contact owns a 2009 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving out of the driveway, the warning message "ASC-OFF" appeared on the instrument panel and the vehicle inadvertently stalled. The contact stated as she turned off the vehicle, she was able to restart the vehicle and parked in the driveway. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring and several warning lights including the ASC warning light, check engine warning light, and air bag passenger warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number:…
May 20, 2021 · 140,000 miles
Service brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V088000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NALLEY KIA LOCATED AT 7849 MALL PKWY, STONECREST, GA 30038, (770) 288-5283, WHERE THE RECALL REPAIR WAS COMPLETED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTAC HEARD A LOUD ABNORMAL SOUND. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT, CONTINUED TO…
Aug 1, 2020 · 180,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

Throttle control system vulnerabilitiesClosed
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003. Accordingly, Model Year (MY) 2005-2016 Kia Optima/K5, MY 2006-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, MY 2006-2015 Hyundai Sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire that can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under reference (ODI) number 11439675.On November 12, 2021, ODI opened Defect Petition DP21-003 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI performed trend analyses of the VOQs related to vehicle speed control issues for all the subject vehicles and found that none of the 52…
DP21003 · opened Nov 12, 2021 · closed Jun 20, 2023