CarComplaints.com Notes: Well, that didn't work. After one unsuccessful year of Borrego sales in the USA Kia ditched the SUV and replaced it two years later with the 2nd-generation 2011 Sorrento.

3.1

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
44,700 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2009 Kia Borrego transmission problems

transmission problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2009 Kia Borrego:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2009 Kia Borrego Owner Comments

problem #5

Sep 072021

Borrego

  • 160,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2009 Kia Borrego. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the front passenger-??s and the front driver-??s side seat belts unlatched independently without warning. The contact latched the seat belts, but the failure persisted. The dealer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. On another occasion while turning off the vehicle, the contact noticed that the key and the ignition were hot, but no warning light was illumined. The dealer was contacted and stated that there was no recall for the failure. On another occasion, the contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle shifted into neutral independently without warning. The dealer was contacted and stated there was no recall for the failure. Additionally, while attempting to unlock the driver-??s side door, several attempts were needed before the door unlocked. The contact also stated that the failure also occurred while exiting the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 160,000.

- Vinemont, AL, USA

problem #4

May 052011

Borrego 6-cyl

  • 11,700 miles
Purchased new 09 Borrego in June 2010. Transmission started slipping at 11,700 miles, would stay at 40mph with foot off of gas pedal, slipped in 3rd and 4th gears. Took in for repairs and they said they needed to replace the transmission and to come pick the Borrego up until the transmission could be shipped to them. The following day, the check engine light came on and the dealership said it was ok to drive it that way, and to just bring it in when the transmission came in. They replaced the transmission with a remanufactured transmission (never told us this, until we picked it up and read it on the service ticket). At 11,900, and only 200 miles after the replacement, it started slipping again. It was jerking very hard between park and reverse.at this point, the service engine light was also on. I called and was told to wait for several days (the service department was too busy to get the vehicle in) and on the day of the appointment, went to leave home and the Borrego wouldn't go over 20mph. By the time I made it around the block to return home, it wouldn't go over 15mph. When I pulled out on the street where the speed limit was 45, I had cars ready to plow into me because I couldn't get the vehicle to go!!!! it is now back to the dealership (via flatbed tow truck). Since the vehicle has had gas tank issues (replaced tank and now the co inside the vehicle is at lethal levels), 4 attempts to get the airbag light off, chipping paint, seatbacks falling off, etc. We are now asking for Kia to repurchase the SUV and we will buy a car that's non Kia!!!!!

- Greenfield, IN, USA

problem #3

Aug 052010

Borrego

  • 6,000 miles
On my new Kia Borrego, 2009 with 6000 miles on it. While driving on the high way I was trying to stop quickly from 70 miles to avoid hitting the car in the front of me who suddenly stop due to some construction on the high way. I hit the brake very hard. The car start pulsating and shaking very hard. It was almost impossible to control the steering wheel. It was a horrifying moment before finally the car speed went to about 15 miles. When I tried to catch the traffic flow again, I pressed the gas paddle, however it the car felt very very heavy like I was dragging a train behind me, and the ESC light kept flashing in the dash board. I had to put the transmission handle from the auto mode to the manual mode. When I did that, I found the transmission was stuck and locked on the 4th speed. I had to pull the transmission handle back to the 1st speed then to the second before the car was able to run again, then I put the transmission on auto again. Dealer said it was a pad brake rotors and had to change all 4 of them. There was burning smell coming from the front brake sides and a lot of black dust covering the 4 whiles rems, dealer said it is a brake dust. Then they did upgrade to the computer regarding the transmission. That was the first time I have problem with the brake but the second time I have problem with the transmission. Very scary and unsafe.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #2

Jul 222010

Borrego

  • 5,800 miles
My Kia new Borrego 2009 with 5800 miles on it. While driving on the high way the transmission was slipping. I was driving about 60 miles and tried to accelerate, the engine RPM went up to about 5000 with no transmission lock, the car was stalling without moving on the high way. I had to remove my foot from the gas paddle until RPM went down to about 2000 before the transmission locked back again and the car was able to run again, very very scary on the high way. I was like a lam duck unable to move. Dealer said it is a computer upgrade recall, after the upgrade, the transmission was so rough to drive, they said it may take 300 miles more before the computer adapt. Will wait and see!

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #1

Jul 062010

Borrego

  • 40,000 miles
While the vehicle is running, the 2009 Kia Borrego becomes stuck in drive, not allowing the driver to put the vehicle in park. This has occurred twice, both times the dealer has indicated that it is due to a computer failure in the vehicle. There is significant safety risk in not being able to get the vehicle out of the drive position.

- Saunderstown, RI, USA

Not what you are looking for?