2009 Kia Sorento Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2009 Kia Sorento has a Complaint Index of 5, the lowest of any Sorento year, and ranks 20th worst out of 21 model years. It carries a Good verdict, though that verdict is capped because complaint records for 2005-2009 are less complete.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 5/100
- #20 of 21 Sorento years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 55
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 3
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 17
- 15 city / 21.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
Top 2009 Kia Sorento problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags21 (38%)
- Brakes15 (27%)
- Electrical System14 (25%)
- Engine9 (16%)
- Transmission & Powertrain9 (16%)
- Structure & Body4 (7%)
- Other3 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Passenger airbag warning light turns on and off randomly even with someone seated, and Kia has told owners the system is working as designed.
- Airbags failed to deploy in crashes, including a head-on collision and a hydroplaning accident that ended in a tree strike.
- The occupant classification system deactivates with an adult in the passenger seat, persisting even after seat replacement and computer reprogramming.
- Door locks stop responding to the interior switch or key remote, traced to a fuse that keeps blowing from a wiring short.
- Brake rotors warp and cause vibration during normal stop-and-go driving, which the dealer attributed to downhill braking instead of a defect.
- Transmission clunks, pops, jolts, and jerks during operation, with the dealer calling the behavior normal for the vehicle.
2009 Kia Sorento recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V088000Feb 14, 2020Brakes228,829 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
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.
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, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC186.
- NHTSA 13V114000Apr 1, 2013Electrical System980,377 vehicles
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
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.
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.
2009 Kia Sorento fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15 MPG
- Highway
- 21.5 MPG
- Combined
- 17 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,800
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2009 compared with other Sorento years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Kia Sorento reliable?
- NHTSA data shows 55 complaints for the 2009 Sorento and a Complaint Index of 5, the lowest of any Sorento model year. It carries a Good verdict, but that verdict is capped because complaint records for 2005-2009 are less complete.
- What is the top problem area on the 2009 Kia Sorento?
- Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 21 of 55 complaints (38%) and involving 2 crashes, with a median failure mileage of 25,481.5 miles.
- Does the 2009 Kia Sorento have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2009 Sorento: one for moisture entering the ABS module (campaign 20V088000) and one covering an electrical system issue shared with several other Kia models (campaign 13V114000).
- How does the 2009 Sorento compare to other Sorento years?
- The 2009 Sorento ranks 20th worst out of 21 model years, far below high-complaint years like 2011 (Complaint Index 100, Avoid) and 2016 (Complaint Index 95, Avoid).
- What mileage do 2009 Sorento problems typically show up at?
- Across all problem areas the median mileage at failure is 43,225 miles, though airbag issues showed up earlier, at a median of 25,481.5 miles.