repaired · 2024 Q3
Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
Park outsideRisk. A fire increases the risk of injury.
2009 Kia SportageProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 80 owner complaints about the 2009 Kia Sportage, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 22V-800 the manufacturer reports only 19% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 23, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2009 Kia Sportage has problems
80 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
18Electrical system7 crash/fire/injury
16Air bags3 crash/fire/injury
14Steering
10Engine4 crash/fire/injury
8Service brakes, hydraulic
8Service brakes3 crash/fire/injury
7Electronic stability control (ESC)
7Exterior lighting
4Structure
2110 other systems4 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 18 | 7 |
| Air bags | 16 | 3 |
| Steering | 14 | 0 |
| Engine | 10 | 4 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 8 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 8 | 3 |
| Electronic stability control (ESC) | 7 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 7 | 0 |
| Structure | 4 | 1 |
| 10 other systems | 21 | 4 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
2009 Kia Sportage recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2018 Q2
Electrical system: wiring
Risk. If the HECU short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.
no report yet
Brake lights: switch
Risk. Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Kia.
Best & worst years
2009 vs. every other Sportage year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Sportage median. How we score
'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2009 Kia Sportage safety ratings
2009 Kia Sportage 4-DR w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Rollover: 4 stars (17.4% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2009 Kia Sportage, and the recalls they led to.
- Hyundai and Kia ABS Module FiresOpen
In owners' words
What Sportage owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
In 2018 my I was driving home when it just shut off and wouldn’t start. Smelled like burning and had it towed to my house and had several mechanics look at it and couldn’t 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…
The contact owns a 2009 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V800000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and it was determined that parts were not yet available. The…
The contact owns a 2009 Kia Sportage. 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…
Own a 2009 Sportage?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.