I have 2 complaints. 1) I have complained about the front passenger air bag not coming on when an adult is seated in it. I have taken it to 2 different Kia shops 5 times since 1200 miles and was told it is operating normal. Normal is when an adult sits in it, not when you place a purse on the seat or whenever it decides to work. I am following the manual and still no satisfaction with repair. 2)…
2009 Kia Sorento powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2009 Kia Sorento have filed 9 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
9
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2005 Sorento | 24 |
| 2006 Sorento | 22 |
| 2007 Sorento | 17 |
| 2008 Sorento | 21 |
| 2009 Sorento (this page) | 9 |
| 2011 Sorento | 245 |
| 2012 Sorento | 49 |
| 2013 Sorento | 61 |
When does it fail?
Of the 9 powertrain complaints filed for the 2009 Kia Sorento, 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 15 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
When shifting my 2009 Kia sorento from p to r, it violently jolts into r and then when shifting into d, it has almost no power, as if I were driving in first gear with a manual transmission (vehicle is automatic). After a few minutes, it will drive normally until I stop, then it again is very sluggish with almost no power until it "catches". Sometimes if I stop the car, put it in park and shut…
Shortly after buying SUV in 2009 we experienced "querky" stuff like doors relocking, dome light s coming on, back hatch unlocking all this happening on their own!! I kept telling the dealership at oil changes! They kept ignoring it all! Nov 1, 2009 Kia electric system service bulletin #282603 (ts b-044) issued. September the check engine and ESC off lights started coming on together, SUV…
Recently brought my 2009 Kia sorento to the dealer on 9/9/13. The vehicle was banging into gear (whether reverse or drive) and it was sluggish when attempting to drive. It was very scary trying to make a left turn while crossing over oncoming traffic as the car was not going anywhere when trying to drive. The check engine light also came on. My check engine light somehow was not on when they took…
While decending a mountian pass in colorado with the vehicle in 4wd-low range and the shift selector in the sport mode the transmission would up-shift at about 3200 RPM causing the vehicle to gain speed very quickly and requiring the constant application of brakes which causes the brakes to over heat. The owners manual clearly states that this is an approved use of the vehicle and that the…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2009 Kia Sorento?
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 Sorento?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 9 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?
Based on the 9 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 17,817 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/Sorento.
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.