2009 KIA Sportage: common problems

Owners of the 2009 KIA Sportage filed 80 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and air bags. Details by component below, with sources.

Key figures

Owner complaints: 80
involving a crash: 4

KIA Sportage 2009: 3D model with the “Electrical system” area highlighted — the most complained-about component — Yellow marks the “Electrical system” area, the component owners complain about most for this year. Illustrative only. 3D model: xnova360, CC Attribution.

What fails most often

1 Electrical system 23% of all complaints
2 Air bags 20% of all complaints
3 Service brakes 19% of all complaints
4 Steering 18% of all complaints
5 Engine 13% of all complaints
6 Electronic stability control 9% of all complaints
7 Exterior lighting 9% of all complaints
8 Structure 5% of all complaints

Circle size and colour show each component’s share of NHTSA complaints. Schematic only, not a drawing of the exact model.

Electrical system: 18 complaints (23% of all).
Air bags: 16 complaints (20% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Service brakes: 15 complaints (19% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Steering: 14 complaints (18% of all).
Engine: 10 complaints (13% of all).

Engines and transmissions

US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.

2 L · petrol · 4 cyl
2.7 L · petrol · 6 cyl
automatic, 4-speed
manual, 5-speednamed in 1 complaints

Drive: FWD, AWD

Symptoms owners describe

How many of the 80 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).

warning lights, check engine13 · 16%
smoke, burning smell, fire10 · 13%
airbag warning light8 · 10%
steering or power steering problems6 · 8%
rust, corrosion5 · 6%
stalls while driving5 · 6%
knocking, grinding or other noise4 · 5%
brake failure3 · 4%
loss of power / limp mode3 · 4%
seat belts3 · 4%

Components owners complain about

Component	Owner complaints	involving a crash
Electrical system	18	0
Air bags	16	3
Service brakes	15	2
Steering	14	0
Engine	10	0
Electronic stability control	7	0
Exterior lighting	7	0
Structure	4	0
Fuel/propulsion system	3	0
Powertrain	3	0
Seat belts	3	2
Vehicle speed control	3	0
Fuel system	2	0
Suspension	2	0

What owners report

Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.

But air bags never deployed. And that morning notice when person sitting in passenger side the air bag light above dash says passenger air bag on than says off. There pic attach shows damaged had to replaced cost about 1400 dollars or more in damage . Air bags should deployed
Air bags · crash · 2019-12-20 · NHTSA complaint #11290442
Air bags did not deploy,seat belt tensioner broke,wont retract back into holder. After getting car towed can see that the air bag sensor was crushed but no deployment spent 2 days in hospital. Thankfully nothing broke just alot of bruising.
Air bags · crash · 2018-07-15 · NHTSA complaint #11111418
The air bags did not go off and we couldn't get the seat belts to release so we were trapped in the car.the car was a total loss.
Air bags · crash · 2018-04-26 · NHTSA complaint #11090331
The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle violently jerked forward. As a result, the contact crashed into the rear of another vehicle and a curb. A police report was not filed. The contact sustained injuries to the right foot that did not require medical attention.
Service brakes · crash · 2015-02-23 · NHTSA complaint #10690085
Smelled like burning and had it towed to my house and had several mechanics look at it and couldnât find the problem then as it was parked on day it started to smoke and the engine was burning I put out the fire and then a couple months later I got the recall information the car was a total loss and could t be…
Electrical system · 2025-09-23 · NHTSA complaint #11689074
The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle in the dealer's parking lot after the recall repair of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 16V815000 (Electrical System) and 22V800000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) had been completed, the HECU, the ABS, the TPMS warning lights and other unknown warning lights illuminated.
Electrical system · 2023-05-04 · NHTSA complaint #11520410
The frame has rusted out on this vehicle. The passenger side frame above the rear axle is completely rusted out. I can put my thumb through the rear frame on the driver's side. The exhaust system on this vehicle is still intact - ironic that the frame would rust out before the exhaust system.
Structure · 2023-05-02 · NHTSA complaint #11519996
The engine suddenly died and smoke was coming out from under the hood. I honestly thought the car was about to burst into flames. A good Samaritan looked under the hood and it was still smoking but eventually stopped. The electrical system is fried and even the emergency lights won't work.
Electrical system · 2022-10-24 · NHTSA complaint #11490678

When owners complained

NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.

20091
20108
20122
20138
20147
201510
20169
20174
20189
20198
20204
20212
20223
20234
20251

Comparison

By complaint count this model year ranks 4,081 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 11% most complained about).

On average one model year of the Sportage has 144 complaints (33 years in the data). This year has 80, below average.

What to check before buying

Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.

Questions and answers

What are the most common problems with the 2009 KIA Sportage?

Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, air bags, service brakes. Total complaints: 80. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (16%), smoke, burning smell, fire (13%), airbag warning light (10%).

How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2009 KIA Sportage?

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 Sportage 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.