2009 KIA SORENTO — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
79
Owner Complaints
3
Recalls
6
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2009 KIA SORENTO
The 2009 KIA SORENTO has received a total of 79 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 4 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH. 6 technical service bulletins have been issued by Kia America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Air Bags (14 complaints), Electrical System (12 complaints), and Electronic Stability Control Esc (8 complaints).
Recalls for the 2009 KIA SORENTO
NHTSA has recorded 4 recalls for the 2009 KIA SORENTO, potentially affecting up to 1,440,433 vehicles.
Recall 20V088000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
| 228,829 vehicles affected
Defect: 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,...
View full details →Recall 20V088000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
| 228,829 vehicles affected
Defect: 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,...
View full details →Recall 13V114000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
| 980,377 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
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...
View full details →Recall 11E041000 — EQUIPMENT
| 2,398 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE CIRCUIT PROTECTION, THE MODULE CAN OVERHEAT POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2009 KIA SORENTO
79 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2009 KIA SORENTO. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 14 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control Esc | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Hydraulic | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bagsfrontal | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bagsfrontalsensorcontrol Module | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Trainautomatic Transmission | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System Instrument Clusterpanel | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical Systemstarter Assemblysolenoid | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Trainmanual Transmission | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Controlaccelerator Pedal | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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 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 not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
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 not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
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 could not be inspected because of the check engine light. This all went on when I was living in Upstate NY I am now in Suffolk County Long Island.
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 could not be inspected because of the check engine light. This all went on when I was living in Upstate NY I am now in Suffolk County Long Island.
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 could not be inspected because of the check engine light. This all went on when I was living in Upstate NY I am now in Suffolk County Long Island.
Safety Rating for the 2009 KIA SORENTO
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2009 KIA SORENTO in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2009 KIA SORENTO
Kia America, Inc. has issued 6 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2009 KIA SORENTO. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
TSB-078 — EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
KIA: THERE IS A PROCEDURE TO RESET THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL VALUE. *RM
TSB-077 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
KIA: PROVIDES THE PROCEDURE TO UPGRADE THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) ON SOME VEHICLES WHICH MAY EXPERIENCE IDLE IRREGULARITY WITH BRAKE PEDAL APPLIED/DEPRESSED. *PE
TSB-021 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
KIA MOTORS: SOME VEHICLES WITH A 3.8L ENGINE MAY EXPERIENCE A BUMPING SYMPTOM DURING ENGAGEMENT OF THE DAMPER CLUTCH (TORQUE CONVERTER LOCK UP CLUTCH), AND A BUCKING SYMPTOM WHEN THE DAMPER CLUTCH IS FULLY ENGAGED. *PE UPDATED 8/16/10. *PE
TSB-021 — POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
KIA MOTORS: SOME VEHICLES WITH A 3.8L ENGINE MAY EXPERIENCE A BUMPING SYMPTOM DURING ENGAGEMENT OF THE DAMPER CLUTCH (TORQUE CONVERTER LOCK UP CLUTCH), AND A BUCKING SYMPTOM WHEN THE DAMPER CLUTCH IS FULLY ENGAGED. *PE UPDATED 8/16/10. *PE
TSB-025 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
KIA: INFORMATION RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (TCM) UPGRADE FOR CERTAIN MODELS. VEHICLES WITH 3.3L ENGINE MAY EXPERIENCE A BUMPING SYMPTOM DURING ENGAGEMENT OF THE DAMPER CLUTCH (TORQUE CONVERTER LOCK UP CLUTCH), AND A BUCKING SYMPTOM WHEN THE DAMPER CLUTCH IS FULLY ENGAGED. *PE
TSB-025 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
KIA: INFORMATION RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (TCM) UPGRADE FOR CERTAIN MODELS. VEHICLES WITH 3.3L ENGINE MAY EXPERIENCE A BUMPING SYMPTOM DURING ENGAGEMENT OF THE DAMPER CLUTCH (TORQUE CONVERTER LOCK UP CLUTCH), AND A BUCKING SYMPTOM WHEN THE DAMPER CLUTCH IS FULLY ENGAGED. *PE
NHTSA Investigations for the 2009 KIA SORENTO
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the KIA SORENTO
- 2004 KIA SORENTO — 341 complaints
- 2005 KIA SORENTO — 457 complaints
- 2006 KIA SORENTO — 382 complaints
- 2007 KIA SORENTO — 224 complaints
- 2008 KIA SORENTO — 317 complaints
- 2009 KIA SORENTO (current)
- 2010 KIA SORENTO — 3 complaints
- 2011 KIA SORENTO — 2,068 complaints
- 2012 KIA SORENTO — 1,194 complaints
- 2013 KIA SORENTO — 1,283 complaints
- 2014 KIA SORENTO — 1,345 complaints
Other KIA Models
- KIA OPTIMA — 10,045 total complaints
- KIA SOUL — 7,147 total complaints
- KIA SPORTAGE — 6,540 total complaints
- KIA FORTE — 3,450 total complaints
- KIA SEDONA — 3,334 total complaints
- KIA SEPHIA — 3,080 total complaints
- KIA TELLURIDE — 2,109 total complaints
- KIA RIO — 1,784 total complaints