2009 KIA SORENTO Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2009 Kia Sorento. This model year has 55 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Airbag Malfunctions.
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2009 Kia Sorento Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Airbag Malfunctions
Electrical Faults
Transmission / Drivetrain
Considering a 2009 Kia Sorento?
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2009 Kia Sorento. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag Malfunctions | 21 | 2 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 14 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 9 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2009 Kia Sorento. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 55 most recent complaints
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 mig…
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 int…
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. …
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 wer…
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 happeni…
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 …
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 a…
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 REP…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SORRENTO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V088000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A …
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V088000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FO…
VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT 65 MPH AND THE ESC LIGHT CAME ON SLOWING THE VEHICLE TO 30 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. WE WERE ALMOST HIT FROM BEHIND. THIS IS HAPPENING 2-3 TIMES A DAY. VEHICLE HAS TO BE TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED EVERY TIME. THIS IS A LIFE THREATENING INCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN.…
LESS THAN A WEEK AFTER GETTING THIS CAR, IT STARTED HAVING INTERMITTENT NO ACCELERATION! THE FIRST CODES WERE 02 SENSOR BUT IT WAS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, I ONLY DROVE THE CAR 1000 NO IN A YEAR AND I JUST HAD IT REPAIRED I THOUGHT UNDER WARRANTY WITH TRANSMISSION CODES AS WELL AS A…
I'VE ONLY HAD MY KIA SORENTO FOR A LITTLE OVER 2 YEARS AND I WAS TRYING TO GO FORWARD WHEN MY CAR JUST STARTED GOING IN REVERSE. I HAD THE CAR IN DRIVE AND IT JUST STARTED GOING IN REVERSE. I TRIED TO PUT IT IN PARK AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. SO NOW IT JUST GOING IN REVERSE IN …
2 WEEKS AGO MY DASHBOARD LIT UP WITH ALL LIGHTS WHILE DRIVING BRAKES,AIRBAG,TIRE PRESSURE,ENGINE,SWIRVE CONTROL,DOWN HILL, TACH JUMPED UP AND DOWN AND ALSO SPEEDOMETER, LOSS OF POWER LIKE DRAG ON ENGINE. MADE IT HOME AND SHUT IT OFF AND RESTARTED 3TIMES ALL LIGHTS WENT OFF EXCEPT…
KIA INSTALLED FOUR PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR PADS IN MY 2009 AND A NEW AIR BAG MODULE. WHILE IT WAS ALL COVERED BY WARRANTY WORK, NOW I PAID $133.54 TO HAVE IT CHECKED AGAIN, AND THEY WANT ME TO PAY AN ESTIMATE OF $2535.34 PLUS TAX TO HAVE THE NEW SENSOR INSTALLED. I TALKED TO A MANA…
MY 2009 KIA SORENTO,I WAS DRIVING DOWN MAIN ROAD GOING ABOUT 55 WHEN ALL SUDDEN MY POWER DROPPED TO ABOUT 20,LUCKY I WAS NOT ON INTERSTATE ARE PULLING ON TO INTERSTATE,HAD TO HAVE TOWED IN,SAID SOMETHING TO DO WITH GAS PEDAL,WELL THOUGHT WAS FIXED,NOPE,I HAVE HAD CAR FOR A YEAR A…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SORENTO. WHILE REVERSING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SHIFT THE GEAR INTO DRIVE AND THE ESC SENSOR ILLUMINATED. PREVIOUSLY, THE ESC INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE TURNING A CORNER. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED…
AIR BAG IS OFF LIGHT COMES ON THE DASH FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE EVEN IF AN ADULT IS IN THE SEAT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER 2 TIMES WHILE UNDER WARRANTY AND THE FIRST TIME THEY SAID THE COMPUTER JUST NEEDED TO BE RESET. THE SECOND TIME THEY SAID WE WERE NOT SITTING IN THE SEAT CORRE…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SORENTO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE BRAKES DISENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED IN A FORWARD MOTION VOLUNTARILY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WAS FAILING…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA SORENTO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 67 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MILEAGE DROPPED FROM 67 MPH TO APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED …
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2009 Kia Sorento.
Recalls for 2009 Kia Sorento
3 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2009 Kia Sorento. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2009 Kia Sorento — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2009 Kia Sorento reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2009 Kia Sorento has 55 NHTSA owner complaints, 2 crash-related, and 3 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Airbag Malfunctions (21 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Kia Sorento?▾
#1: Airbag Malfunctions (21 complaints). #2: Electrical Faults (14 complaints). #3: Transmission / Drivetrain (9 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2009 Kia Sorento?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2009 Kia Sorento?▾
The 2009 Kia Sorento has 2 crash-related complaints and 1 fire reports out of 55 total NHTSA complaints. 3 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2009 Kia Sorento have any recalls?▾
Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2009 Kia Sorento. The largest issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2009 Kia Sorento?▾
The 2009 Kia Sorento has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Airbag Malfunctions issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Kia Sorento reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2009 Kia Sorento
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.