What year Kia Borrego should I avoid?

The 2009 Kia Borrego is rated Avoid, with 88 complaints, a complaint index of 100, 8 crashes, and 3 recall campaigns — the highest complaint volume of any Borrego year.

Is the Kia Borrego reliable overall?

Across all years, NHTSA lists 92 total complaints and 4 recall campaigns, with Electrical System (24%), Brakes (22%), and Transmission & Powertrain (20%) as the top reported problem areas.

Does any Kia Borrego year get a Good or Best rating?

No. Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, no Borrego year earns a Good or Best verdict. Years 2011 through 2018 show the lowest complaint indexes, ranging from 0 to 64.

Are there brake problems on the 2009 Kia Borrego?

Yes. Brakes accounted for 20 complaints (23%) on the 2009 model, with a median failure mileage of 43,810, and a recall campaign addressed non-adjustable brake pedal mounts on that year.

How many recalls does the Kia Borrego have?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns across all Borrego model years, including one affecting 2009-2014 models for headliner plates that could detach during side airbag deployment.

Kia Borrego Best and Worst Years (2008–2019)

Among Kia Borrego years, 2009 is rated Avoid, with a complaint index of 100, 88 complaints, 8 crashes, and 3 recall campaigns — far above every other year. No Borrego year earns a Good or Best verdict; 2011 through 2018 show the fewest reported problems.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2009

Model years: 12; 2008–2019
NHTSA complaints: 92
Recall campaigns: 4
Crashes reported: 8
Fires reported: 0
Top problem area: Electrical System

Borrego Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Kia Borrego problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2008	No verdict	82	2	0	0	Structure & Body	—	—
2009	Avoid	100	88	8	3	Electrical System	18	—
2010	No verdict	91	2	0	2	Transmission & Powertrain	18	—
2011	No verdict	0	0	0	2	—	18	—
2012	No verdict	9	0	0	2	—	—	—
2013	No verdict	18	0	0	2	—	—	—
2014	No verdict	27	0	0	2	—	—	—
2015	No verdict	36	0	0	1	—	—	—
2016	No verdict	45	0	0	1	—	—	—
2017	No verdict	55	0	0	1	—	—	—
2018	No verdict	64	0	0	1	—	—	—
2019	No verdict	73	0	0	1	—	—	—

Borrego years to avoid: what went wrong

2009 Kia Borrego Index 100 · 88 complaints · 3 recalls

The 2009 Borrego drew 88 complaints, the most of any model year, with a complaint index of 100 and 8 reported crashes. Electrical System issues led at 21 complaints (24%, median mileage 72,500), followed by Brakes at 20 complaints (23%, median mileage 43,810) and Transmission & Powertrain at 16 complaints (18%, median mileage 34,500). Seat Belt complaints numbered 11 (13%, median mileage 97,000). Owners reported brakes failing to engage during low-speed driving, airbags failing to deploy in crashes, and one vehicle rolling into a tree after being parked. Three recall campaigns affect this year, covering headliner plate security, an electrical short issue, and non-adjustable brake pedal mounts.

2009 electrical system problems →2009 brakes problems →2009 transmission & powertrain problems →

Most common Kia Borrego problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Electrical System22 (24%)
Brakes20 (22%)
Transmission & Powertrain18 (20%)
Other14 (15%)
Seat Belts11 (12%)
Engine9 (10%)
Steering9 (10%)
Structure & Body9 (10%)
Fuel System7 (8%)
Airbags6 (7%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What year Kia Borrego should I avoid?: The 2009 Kia Borrego is rated Avoid, with 88 complaints, a complaint index of 100, 8 crashes, and 3 recall campaigns — the highest complaint volume of any Borrego year.
Is the Kia Borrego reliable overall?: Across all years, NHTSA lists 92 total complaints and 4 recall campaigns, with Electrical System (24%), Brakes (22%), and Transmission & Powertrain (20%) as the top reported problem areas.
Does any Kia Borrego year get a Good or Best rating?: No. Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, no Borrego year earns a Good or Best verdict. Years 2011 through 2018 show the lowest complaint indexes, ranging from 0 to 64.
Are there brake problems on the 2009 Kia Borrego?: Yes. Brakes accounted for 20 complaints (23%) on the 2009 model, with a median failure mileage of 43,810, and a recall campaign addressed non-adjustable brake pedal mounts on that year.
How many recalls does the Kia Borrego have?: NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns across all Borrego model years, including one affecting 2009-2014 models for headliner plates that could detach during side airbag deployment.