AI Damage2009 KIA Sorento: common problems
Owners of the 2009 KIA Sorento filed 55 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 55
- involving a crash
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 38% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 25% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 16% of all complaints
- 4 Electronic stability control 15% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 15% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 11% of all complaints
- 7 Engine 7% of all complaints
- 8 Seats 5% of all complaints
- Air bags: 21 complaints (38% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 14 complaints (25% of all).
- Powertrain: 9 complaints (16% of all).
- Electronic stability control: 8 complaints (15% of all).
- Service brakes: 8 complaints (15% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.3 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- 3.8 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 5-speed
Drive: RWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 55 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 21 | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 3 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
I went off in ditch hitting a tree head on my air bag didn't deploy I would like to know why is this normal I don't think so I thought that is what they were for my injuries were sprained wrist & neck & back & my breast bone hurts I was driving a 2009 kia sorento looking forward to your reply does this happen very…
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.
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 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 stated while driving out of the driveway, the warning message "ASC-OFF" appeared on the instrument panel and the vehicle inadvertently stalled. The contact stated as she turned off the vehicle, she was able to restart the vehicle and parked in the driveway.
Vehicle was traveling at 65 mph and the esc light came on slowing the vehicle to 30 mph on the highway. We were almost hit from behind. This is happening 2-3 times a day. Vehicle has to be turned off and restarted every time. This is a life threatening incident waiting to happen. Taken to dealer no recall.
Less than a week after getting this car, it started having intermittent no acceleration! The first codes were 02 sensor but it was transmission problem, I only drove the car 1000 no in a year and I just had it repaired I thought under warranty with transmission codes as well as a.c.
Previously, the esc indicator illuminated and the vehicle stalled while turning a corner. The vehicle restarted on the first attempt; however, the acceleration was very slow.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 5,078 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 14% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Sorento has 410 complaints (25 years in the data). This year has 55, below average.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electronic stability control. ABS/ESC sensors, steering angle, codes after suspension repair.
Other years of this model
- Sorento 2003305 sources
- Sorento 2004220 sources
- Sorento 2005307 sources
- Sorento 2006242 sources
- Sorento 2007154 sources
- Sorento 2008217 sources
- Sorento 20103 sources
- Sorento 20111,520 sources
- Sorento 2012880 sources
- Sorento 2013983 sources
- Sorento 2014988 sources
- Sorento 2015755 sources
- Sorento 20161,493 sources
- Sorento 20171,003 sources
- Sorento 2018403 sources
- Sorento 2019522 sources
- Sorento 2020228 sources
- Sorento 2021361 sources
- Sorento 2022279 sources
- Sorento 2023177 sources
- Sorento 202493 sources
- Sorento 2025111 sources
- Sorento 202616 sources
- Sorento 99998 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2009 KIA Sorento?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, electrical system, powertrain. Total complaints: 55. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (35%), airbag warning light (15%), loss of power / limp mode (9%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2009 KIA Sorento?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2009 KIA Sorento from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2009 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.