The Lemon Index2009 Kia Sorento.
The 2009 Kia Sorento has too few complaints to score: 18 in its first 3 years. Owners complain most about airbags, it has 3 recalls, and it gets 17 to 18 mpg combined. The best Kia Sorento year is 2018.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 55 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Kia Sorento year. 2009 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 8K to 95K miles on the car (40 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 5K–88K miles
Recalls 3
- electrical 2020
Moisture may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short.
- lights 2013
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.
- equipment 2011
CURT MANUFACTURING IS RECALLING CERTAIN TOW PACKAGE WIRING HARNESSES, PART NUMBER 56024, THAT CONNECT TOW VEHICLE LIGHTING CIRCUITS TO TRAILER LIGHTING CIRCUITS SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 THROUGH 2011 HYUNDA…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Kia told dealers about
Kia sent dealers 16 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- TSB - USE OF AFTERMARKET USB CHARGING CABLES IN USB/12V PORTS - This article provides…
- Bumping symptom during engagement of the damper
- Information related to the transmission control module (tcm) upgrade for certain models
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedThrottle control system vulnerabilities2021–2023
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3550–3800 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.3L 6-cyl, 3.8L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
2009 Kia Sorento. Consumer states that passenger side airbag light indicated the airbag was disabled. The dealer told consumer that his wife didn't weigh enough for the airbag system to register.
2009 Kia Sorento owner · NHTSA complaint 10375748
More owner reports
2009 Kia Sorento. Consumer states vehicle does not protect the front passenger if the weight is less than 120 pounds.
NHTSA complaint 10314369
Quick answers
Is the 2009 Kia Sorento reliable?
There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 18 complaints in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2009 Kia Sorento problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (61%), transmission & drivetrain (28%) and electrical (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Kia Sorento have?
3 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Kia Sorento get?
17 to 18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2009 Kia Sorento problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 8,000 and 95,000 miles. The middle report was at 43,200 miles, from 40 complaints.
Does the 2009 Kia Sorento have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 28% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2009 Kia Sorento cost in fuel a year?
About $3550 to $3800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Kia Sorento have?
3.3L 6-cyl, 3.8L 6-cyl.
What Kia Sorento year is better than the 2009?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2018, 2020 and 2012.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works