2009 Kia Sportage Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 13%of 80 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the engine of the 2009 Kia Sportage, 13% of the 80 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,500 miles. 4 a fire, according to the filers.
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.
“2009 Kia Sportage lx complaint. We have recently been experiencing intermittent acceleration surging. The occurrences are random; hot or cold in d-gear at a stop-light or in park position. I've taken the car to the Kia dealer two times. On the second time, I was told that after a test-drive on the second day, the mechanic did notice the surging of the tachometer and the 'fix' was to re-route/loosen the cruise control cable. Two days later, the engine surging re-appeared. This is a dangerous safety concern that can result in injury to pedestrians, and other drivers. …”
NHTSA complaint #10927631, filed 2016-11, 80,500 miles“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“The car has a rough idle. It will stall randomly, sometimes while in traffic. The computer has been replaced and numerous sensors have been checked. The problems occurred when we first bought the car used in december 2009. It was fixed but began happening again in the fall of 2018. The random stalling occurred again in late summer 2019 and has been a problem ever since.”
NHTSA complaint #11292353, filed 2019-12, 99,100 miles“While the car was off and parked in the driveway the car caught on fire in the passenger side of the motor. The entire front part of the car was totaled.”
NHTSA complaint #11350815, filed 2020-08, 100,000 miles“In 2018 my I was driving home when it just shut off and wouldn’t start. Smelled like burning and had it towed to my house and had several mechanics look at it and couldn’t find the problem then as it was parked on day it started to smoke and the engine was burning I put out the fire and then a couple months later I got the recall information the car was a total loss and could t be repaired and no compemsation was sent to me. Ive contacted the class action suit and they were very vague with the information. …”
NHTSA complaint #11689074, filed 2025-09Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7 | 13% |
| 2024 | 11 | 15% |
| 2023 | 38 | 20% |
| 2022 | 21 | 46% |
| 2021 | 23 | 43% |
| 2020 | 77 | 47% |
| 2019 | 37 | 52% |
| 2018 | 91 | 55% |
| 2017 | 222 | 55% |
| 2016 | 62 | 46% |
| 2015 | 84 | 58% |
| 2014 | 73 | 58% |
| 2013 | 301 | 79% |
| 2012 | 328 | 84% |
| 2011 | 77 | 43% |
| 2010 | 2 | 10% |
| 2009 | 10 | 13% |
| 2008 | 17 | 17% |
| 2007 | 8 | 10% |
| 2006 | 15 | 14% |
| 2005 | 1 | 1% |
| 2002 | 2 | 1% |
| 2001 | 1 | 0% |
| 2000 | 2 | 1% |
| 1999 | 2 | 1% |
| 1998 | 2 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2009 Kia Sportage
18 complaintsAir bags
16 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsSteering
14 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaintsElectronic stability control
7 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 29, 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