2009 Kia Sportage Electronic stability control Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 9%of 80 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 65,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the electronic stability control of the 2009 Kia Sportage, 9% of the 80 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving down a busy road about 50mph when the ESC light came on and the car engine started losing power. I pulled over, afraid to drive but then proceeded as I was only a few minutes from home. I made it home ok and consulted my manual as to what that light meant. I pushed it in (so that it was now on because the light said off and it drove ok for about a day. Then with no light coming back on, the engine just started reving up really hard and loud..like it was stuck in neutral and it started to lose power. I barely made it home safely and noe I'm afraid to drive it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10883542, filed 2016-07, 86,000 miles“I was getting my oil changed at valvoline oil change in liverpool, ny. During the routine light check, the tech said that my brake lights weren't coming on when I brake, only the top brake light strip in rear middle. I had seen the ESC off light come on without any reason in the last few weeks. I also noticed that when getting on an interstate highway, my cruise control would turn on, but not set/engage. I researched online for these symptoms, and found there was a recall of Kia sportages both in 2009 and in 2013 for a stop lamp switch causing the exact same symptoms. …”
NHTSA complaint #10683798, filed 2015-02, 51,000 miles“This is complaint 2 of 2. The other complaint is in the category air bags . Will driving the vehicle the electronic stability control ESC off indicator lamp on the instrument panel came on. After shutting the vehicle off the indicator light would go off, only to come on again after driving a short distance. I took it to the dealer and the technician made the following comment: ESC light is on because of the brake light switch is shorting out inside the switch. …”
NHTSA complaint #11113191, filed 2018-07, 42,000 miles“Last summer stop light switch was replaced per recall. Driving home at night about 65mph when the ESC light and check engine light came on and the car engine started losing power down to 20mph. Accelerator didn't work. I was only a few miles from home. Made it home. Next day ESC off light off. Did call Kia dealership - no help. Next day, drove 30mph for about 1/2 mile ESC off light came on on, lost engine power, made it 1/2 mile to work. Pushed ESC button. Later that day, ESC off light and check engine light were off. …”
NHTSA complaint #10904818, filed 2016-09, 118,300 miles“The contact owns a 2009 Kia Sportage. While driving 40 MPH, the ESC indicator illuminated and the brakes engaged without the brake pedal being depressed. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent and occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the hydraulic control unit failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 86,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10908211, filed 2016-09, 86,000 milesElectronic stability control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 | 1% |
| 2017 | 2 | 1% |
| 2015 | 1 | 1% |
| 2014 | 1 | 1% |
| 2013 | 1 | 0% |
| 2012 | 2 | 1% |
| 2011 | 5 | 3% |
| 2010 | 2 | 10% |
| 2009 | 7 | 9% |
| 2008 | 9 | 9% |
| 2007 | 11 | 14% |
| 2006 | 9 | 8% |
| 2005 | 4 | 6% |
| 2001 | 1 | 0% |
Other parts of the 2009 Kia Sportage
18 complaintsAir bags
16 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsSteering
14 complaintsEngine
10 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaintsExterior lighting
7 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 Kia Sportage
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology