DecodedCars2009 Kia Borrego
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2009 models.
- Class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV 4WD LX-V6/LX-V8
- Engines
- 3.8L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 18 combined · 17 city / 22 hwy
- Length
- 192.1 in
- Curb weight
- 4,469 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 3 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 38 similar 2009 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2009 Kia Borrego is a SUV - offered with 2 engines (3.8L 6-cyl and 4.6L 8-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
It measures about 192 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 114-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,469 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 18 MPG combined (17 city / 22 highway), 8% worse than the 2009 SUV - average of 19.5 MPG, for an estimated $3,700 a year in fuel.
It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 47 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the service brakes.
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV 4WD LX-V6/LX-V8 | 192.1 in | 75.6 in | 69.7 in | 114.2 in | 63.8 / 63.8 in | 4,469 lb | 52/48 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Borrego 2WD | 3.8L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 21 / 18 | -8% | $3,700 | 494 |
| Borrego 4WD | 3.8L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 21 / 18 | +2% | $3,700 | 494 |
| Borrego 2WD | 4.6L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 22 / 18 | -8% | $3,700 | 494 |
| Borrego 4WD | 4.6L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 20 / 17 | -4% | $3,950 | 523 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2009 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2009 Kia Borrego under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2009 SUV -s
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 Kia Borrego (this car) | 18 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2009 Toyota Land Cruiser | 15 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2009 Toyota 4Runner | 18 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2009 Toyota Highlander | 26 MPG | Not rated | 9 |
| 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 18 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe | 21 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2009 GMC Yukon | 21 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
Recalls (3)
Structure › Body › Roof And Pillars · Oct 13, 2023
NHTSA campaign 23V692000 · 22,768 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- A headliner plate that detaches during a crash may strike an occupant, increasing their risk of injury.
- Fix
- 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.
Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch · Apr 1, 2013
NHTSA campaign 13V114000 · 980,377 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals And Linkages · May 31, 2012
NHTSA campaign 12V245000 · 21,912 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Not every 2009 Kia Borrego is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2009 Kia Borrego buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Service Brakes — 10 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
- Power Train — 10 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Electrical System — 10 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 85,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2009 Kia Borrego. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Borrego years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 Borrego | 18 | 192.1 in | Not rated | 2 | 0 |
| 2010 Borrego | 18 | 192.1 in | Not rated | 2 | 1 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Kia. How we calculate this →