What are the most common problems with the 2009 Kia Sorento?

Owners have filed 55 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (21 complaints), followed by electrical system (14).

How many 2009 Kia Sorento complaints mention a crash or fire?

2 of 55 complaints report a crash and 1 a fire; 3 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2009 Kia Sorento recalls and problems

2 recalls and 55 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2009 Kia Sorento.

recalls

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2009 Kia Sorento recalls

Electrical system · Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/module

NHTSA campaign 20V088000 · reported February 14, 2020 · Kia Motors America · 228,829 vehicles potentially affected

The 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.
The 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.
The 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.

Exterior lighting: brake lights, switch

NHTSA campaign 13V114000 · reported April 1, 2013 · Kia Motors Corporation · 980,377 vehicles potentially affected

The 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.
The 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.
The 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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Air bags21
Electrical system14
Power train9
Electronic stability control (ESC)8
Service brakes, hydraulic6
Vehicle speed control6
Engine4
Seats3
Unknown or other3
Service brakes2

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Jan 16, 2026 · 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…

Jun 4, 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…

Aug 27, 2024 · Unknown or other · fire reported
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…

Apr 26, 2023 · Electrical system · 185,000 miles
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…

Jun 23, 2022 · 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…

Sorento model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2006	1	242	12	8
2007	4	154	10	5
2008	3	217	15	9
2009	2	55	2	1
2010	1	3	2	0
2011	7	1,520	42	63
2012	5	880	21	77

Across all years, the 2011 Sorento has the most complaints (1,520). All Kia Sorento years →

Questions

Does the 2009 Kia Sorento have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2009 Kia Sorento, the most recent reported on February 14, 2020 (Electrical system, Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/module). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Kia Sorento?: Owners have filed 55 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (21 complaints), followed by electrical system (14).
How many 2009 Kia Sorento complaints mention a crash or fire?: 2 of 55 complaints report a crash and 1 a fire; 3 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received January 16, 2026.