TSB_TRA027_CLOSED: TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN CLOSED
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Kia Borrego powertrain problems
moderate 14 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
When does it fail?
Of the 14 powertrain complaints filed for the 2009 Kia Borrego, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TSB: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATING TO THE CORRECT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUIDS THAT ARE REQUIRED FOR EACH KIA MODEL. REFER TO THE SHOP MANUAL ON KGIS FOR THE SPECIFIC KIA MODEL, THEN REFERENCE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE SYSTEM/ REPAIR PROCEDURES/ INSPECTION AND ADJUSTMENT SECTION FOR THE CORRECT ATF CHECK/FILL PROCEDURES.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of the 2009 Kia Borrego describe a transmission that won't behave. The gearbox sticks in single gears (3rd, 4th) and refuses to shift up or down properly. At highway speeds, it lurches abruptly between 3rd and 4th, or 4th and 5th, then reverses course without the driver touching the pedal. One owner watched RPM spike to 5,000 with zero power delivery on a 60 mph acceleration—the transmission simply wouldn't lock. Another reported the vehicle won't shift out of first, or inexplicably starts in third instead of first. When shifts do happen, the car jerks hard, especially moving from reverse to drive or during cold starts.
Shifter operation is unreliable. Some owners can't move the shifter past neutral into park; others find the shifter locked solid, unable to engage reverse. One owner reported the engine cranking on its own repeatedly while the key sat in the ignition, parked and unattended.
Early cases (5,800 miles) received computer updates from dealers; one owner reported the transmission became rougher post-update and required 300 miles to settle. A rebuilt transmission installed at higher mileage didn't solve the jerking. At 68,000 miles, a dealer replaced the ABS module and crankshaft—failure persisted. Kia Technical Service Bulletin 035 documents the issue; no recall has been issued.
Failure modes owners describe
Erratic and delayed transmission shifting
Transmission holds or sticks in gears (commonly 3rd or 4th), refuses to upshift or downshift smoothly, or shifts abruptly between gears with no driver input. Vehicle sometimes won't shift up from 1st or starts in 3rd instead of 1st. At highway speeds (35+ mph), vehicle shifts erratically between 3rd and 4th or 4th and 5th, then reverses direction without pedal input.
When: Reported from early mileage (5,800 miles) to high mileage (160,000 miles); issues ongoing across vehicle lifetime
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission holds in 3rd or 4th gear without shifting; Refuses to upshift or downshift properly; Won't shift up from 1st gear or starts in 3rd gear; Abrupt erratic shifts between 3rd/4th at 35+ mph; Shifts to 5th at 50 mph on freeway then back to 4th without driver input; Engine RPM too low for traffic pace after quick shifts; Transmission sticking in single gear requiring ignition disconnect and computer reset
Codes mentioned: P0300 (implied by jerking/rough operation)
Repairs/costs cited: Owner at 5,800 miles received computer upgrade per dealer recall; transmission became rougher post-upgrade and required 300 miles to adapt. At 68,000 miles, dealer replaced ABS module and crankshaft but failure persisted. Rebuilt transmission installed in another case but same issue continued despite KIA computer update. One owner had to disconnect battery repeatedly to reset computer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia Technical Service Bulletin 035 (Rev1, 3/7/11) documents the issue but no recall has been issued. Dealer offered computer upgrade/update as remedy in multiple cases, with mixed results. Manufacturer referred owner to NHTSA Hotline instead of addressing.
Transmission slipping under acceleration
Engine RPM rises sharply without corresponding power delivery or transmission engagement. Vehicle loses power on highway, feels unable to accelerate, then suddenly catches and regains drive. One owner reported RPM climbing to 5,000 rpm with no transmission lock during 60 mph acceleration attempt.
When: Reported as early as 5,800 miles; also at highway speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Engine RPM spikes to 5,000 rpm with no transmission lock; Vehicle loses power and feels unable to move (described as 'lame duck'); Transmission eventually locks back in after driver reduces throttle; Requires foot off accelerator to drop RPM before power returns
Repairs/costs cited: One owner at 5,800 miles had computer upgrade applied; after upgrade transmission shifted roughly and dealer indicated 300 miles needed for computer adaptation.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer attributed to computer upgrade recall, then advised owner to wait 300 miles for computer adaptation.
Transmission stuck in single gear, won't shift into other modes
Vehicle becomes trapped in one gear (drive, neutral, or park) and cannot be shifted to another position. Shifter either completely locked or moves but transmission doesn't respond. One owner trapped in drive for extended period; another unable to move shifter past neutral to park.
When: Reported at various mileages including 29,000 miles and higher
Symptoms owners cite: Shifter stuck and won't move to shift into reverse or park; Shifter moves but transmission doesn't respond to shift command; Vehicle stuck in drive position when owner tries to shift to park; Shifter stuck past neutral, won't go into park; Key stuck in ignition when unable to shift to park
Repairs/costs cited: One owner had shift lock release button pressed to manually force shift into park. Another owner unable to shift; towed to dealer where electrical system failure was diagnosed but vehicle not repaired. Another case at 68,000 miles: dealer replaced ABS module and crankshaft but failure persisted.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated 'no recall' for failures. Manufacturer did not address; owner referred to NHTSA.
Hard jerking when shifting or engaging gears
Vehicle jerks, lurches, or jolts abruptly when shifting between gears, particularly during cold start warm-up or when moving from reverse to drive. RPM rises but power delivery is delayed or rough, creating uncomfortable or startling movement.
When: During shifts in park, reverse, and drive; occurs during warm-up and at low speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Hard jerk when shifting from reverse to drive; Hard jerk when putting into reverse during warm-up; RPM goes up but car moves forward slowly or with delay; Jerking motion when vehicle fails to shift gears as designed; Vehicle jerks forward as if foot on accelerator when moving shifter to drive
Repairs/costs cited: One case at 25,000 miles: dealer replaced ECU module and stop lamp, but failure recurred. Rebuilt transmission installed in another case but jerking issue persisted despite KIA computer update.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer replaced ECU module and stop lamp in one case; failure recurred. Computer updates applied in multiple cases with no lasting resolution.
Shifter won't engage or unlock from neutral/park
Shifter stuck in neutral or between neutral and park, unable to move forward into gear. Owner may be able to override with shift lock release button but normal shifter operation fails.
When: At parking lot, during shutdown sequence
Symptoms owners cite: Shifter won't move past neutral into park; Shifter stuck between positions; Must press shift lock release button manually to force park; Key won't release from ignition when shifter stuck
Repairs/costs cited: Manual shift lock override required in one case.
Vehicle starts or cranks on its own while parked with key in ignition
Engine cranks and engages starter while vehicle is sitting parked with key in ignition, in park or neutral, without driver action. Starter armature continues to engage and won't stop. Sounds like trying to start an already-running engine. Requires starting in neutral and immediately shifting to drive to operate vehicle.
When: While parked, key in ignition, listening to radio
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle starts on its own in park; Vehicle starts on its own in neutral; Starter armature engages and won't stop; Sounds like trying to start an already-running vehicle; Can occur while vehicle is unlocked and unattended; Only remedy is starting in neutral and dropping into drive immediately
Codes mentioned: Bank B sensor code (timing retarded and advanced erratically)
Repairs/costs cited: Owner states all sensors have been replaced. Check engine light won't clear due to erratic timing. Vehicle fails emissions inspection.
Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
After starting the car then moving the shifter in to drive . As I get the shifter in the reverse position going to drive .. The car jerks forward like I have my foot on the gas.. It is very startling. Goes in reverse fine.. But when I move onto it drive it starts to move slow and rpms go up but it's moving forward. *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Kia borrego. While the vehicle was parked in a parking lot, the contact was unable to shift into reverse. The contact was able to shift into drive and drove to his residence. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to evergreen Kia (located at 9205 s western ave, chicago, il 60643, (800) 211-3116) where it was diagnosed that the ABS module…
When letting car warm up for a couple of minutes. Put into reverse the Kia jerks hard so you pull out put into drive rpms go up but but car not moving. The put a rebuilt transmission in but still have problems with the same issue. Kia did an update ,but still doing the same thing. But Kia wants me to pay a diagnostic free and told them it doesn't happen all the time. It's very dangerest not…
The transmission shifts up to fourth gear as I slowly accelerate to up to 40 MPH reducing the RPM to as low as 1,300. This quick shifting up through the gears does not match vehicle speed resulting in the RPM being too low to accelerate with the pace of traffic. This causes vehicles behind me to almost crash into the rear of my car due the slowing rate of my acceleration caused by the…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2009 Kia Borrego?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2009 Kia Borrego?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 14 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 25,000 and 108,000 miles, with the median around 68,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 25,000; a quarter make it past 108,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Kia/Borrego.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.