NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2008–2019

Kia Borrego recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 92 owner complaints for the Kia Borrego, covering model years 2008 to 2019. The 2009 model year drew the most complaints (88), and Power Train is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Kia Borrego VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

4 recall campaigns on file
92 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
12 model years with data (2008–2019)

most complaints: 2009 (88 for that model year)
top component: Power Train (18 complaints)
latest recall 23V692000 (reported Oct 13, 2023)

8 complaints reporting a crash (8.7%)
0 complaints reporting a fire (0.0%)
3 complaints reporting an injury (3.3%)
0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Kia Borrego complaints by model year

3 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2009 model year has the most complaints: 88 of 92, or 95.7%. Next come 2008 (2) and 2010 (2).

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years

Kia Borrego complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death

Kia Borrego complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model year	Complaints	Reporting a crash	Reporting an injury
2008	2	0	0
2009	88	8	3
2010	2	0	0
All model years	92	8	3

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Kia Borrego components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Power Train is the component named most often, in 18 complaints (19.6% of all 92), followed by Electrical System (16) and Service Brakes (12).

Components named most often in Kia Borrego complaints (top 15)

Components named most often in Kia Borrego complaints (top 15)
Component	Complaints	Share of complaints
Power Train	18	19.6%
Electrical System	16	17.4%
Service Brakes	12	13.0%
Unknown or Other	12	13.0%
Seat Belts	11	12.0%
Steering	9	9.8%
Exterior Lighting	8	8.7%
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)	7	7.6%
Air Bags	6	6.5%
Engine	6	6.5%
Fuel System, Gasoline	5	5.4%
Seats	5	5.4%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	4	4.3%
Structure	4	4.3%
Vehicle Speed Control	3	3.3%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Kia Borrego recalls

4 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name Borrego, newest first. The 4 campaigns cover model years 2009 to 2019. The 2009 model year appears in the most campaigns (3).

4 recall campaigns
1 “Park Outside” advisory

Kia Borrego recall campaigns covering each model year
Decade	Years ending in 0	Years ending in 1	Years ending in 2	Years ending in 3	Years ending in 4	Years ending in 5	Years ending in 6	Years ending in 7	Years ending in 8	Years ending in 9
2000s										2009: 3 campaigns
2010s	2010: 2 campaigns	2011: 2 campaigns	2012: 2 campaigns	2013: 2 campaigns	2014: 2 campaigns	2015: 1 campaign	2016: 1 campaign	2017: 1 campaign	2018: 1 campaign	2019: 1 campaign

Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

NHTSA campaign 23V692000
Reported Oct 13, 2023
Structure › Body › Roof and Pillars
Model years 2009–2014
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Borrego vehicles. The headliner plates may not be secured properly, which can result in the plates detaching in the event of a side curtain air bag deployment.
Consequence:
A headliner plate that detaches during a crash may strike an occupant, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy:
Dealers will secure the headliner plates, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 30, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC286.
Filed by Kia America, Inc.
NHTSA campaign 23V652000
Reported Sep 25, 2023
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module
Model years 2010–2019
NHTSA “Park Outside” advisory: because of the fire risk, park affected vehicles outside and away from buildings until the recall repair is done.
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Consequence:
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy:
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
Filed by Kia America, Inc.
NHTSA campaign 13V114000
Reported Apr 1, 2013
Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch
Model year 2009
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.
Consequence:
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.
Remedy:
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.
Filed by Kia America, Inc.
NHTSA campaign 12V245000
Reported May 31, 2012
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals and Linkages
Model year 2009
Kia is recalling certain model year 2009 Borrego vehicles, manufactured from May 2, 2008, through January 20, 2009, equipped with non-adjustable brake pedals. Certain pedal mounts may have a fiberglass composition that allows them to break off in a collision where the impact has not immobilized the vehicle, which would then allow the vehicle to roll.
Consequence:
If this occurs, the driver would need to stop the vehicle with the parking brake or experience a possible second impact, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Remedy:
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal mount, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2012. Owners may contact Kia consumer assistance center at 1-800-333-4542.
Filed by Kia America, Inc.

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means

What each recall field means
Field	What it tells you
Campaign number	NHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
Component	The system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
Summary	What the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
Consequence	The safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
Remedy	What the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.

Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Kia Borrego questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Kia Borrego have?

NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recall campaigns for the Kia Borrego, covering model years 2008 to 2019. The most recent, 23V692000, was reported on October 13, 2023 and is filed under “Structure”. The 2009 model year is covered by the most campaigns (3).

Which Kia Borrego model year has the most complaints?

The 2009 model year, with 88 of the 92 complaints in NHTSA’s file (95.7%). The next are 2008 (2) and 2010 (2). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Kia Borrego complaint?

Power Train is the component named most often: 18 complaints, or 19.6% of all 92. Electrical System (16) and Service Brakes (12) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Kia Borrego?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Kia dealer.

How many Kia Borrego complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 92 complaints, 8 report a crash, 0 a fire, 3 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

8 models · most complaints first

The Kia models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Kia VIN decoder with every Kia model page, WMI code and VIN note.

Kia Sorento 2003–2026 · 40 recalls · 10,159 complaints
Kia Optima 2001–2020 · 22 recalls · 7,499 complaints
Kia Soul 2010–2025 · 15 recalls · 5,532 complaints
Kia Sportage 1995–2026 · 36 recalls · 4,687 complaints
Kia Forte 2009–2024 · 18 recalls · 2,539 complaints
Kia Sedona 2002–2021 · 23 recalls · 2,406 complaints
Kia Telluride 2020–2027 · 19 recalls · 2,009 complaints
Kia Sephia 1995–2003 · 7 recalls · 1,687 complaints

All Kia models and WMI codes Look up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.