Kia Borrego Recalls

NHTSA has issued 4 safety recalls for the Kia Borrego, covering model years 2009 through 2019. Brake faults account for 2 of them, more than any other part of the vehicle. The 2009 model year has the most, with 3 separate campaigns against it. The largest single recall covered 1,730,192 vehicles. The most recent was reported to NHTSA on October 13, 2023.

Urgent safety advisory on the Kia Borrego

One recall below tells owners to park outside and away from buildings, because the vehicle can catch fire while parked and switched off.

Check your own VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether these apply to your car.

Total recalls: 4
Model years affected: 11
Most recalled part: Brake
Latest recall: 2023

Kia Borrego recalls by model year

How many campaigns were issued against each model year. One recall often covers several years at once, so these add up to more than the 4 total.

20191 recall20181 recall20171 recall20161 recall20151 recall20142 recalls20132 recalls20122 recalls20112 recalls20102 recalls20093 recalls

All Kia Borrego recalls

Each entry is an official NHTSA campaign, shown with the defect, consequence, and remedy exactly as the manufacturer reported them, newest first.

23V692000StructureReported October 13, 2023

STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

Model years affected: 2009–2014

The 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.

What can happen

A headliner plate that detaches during a crash may strike an occupant, increasing their risk of injury.

The 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.

Vehicles affected: 22,768
Maker's recall no.: SC286
Owners notified: November 30, 2023

Read campaign 23V692000 on NHTSA.gov ↗

23V652000BrakeReported September 25, 2023

NHTSA advises: park outside, away from buildingsAffected vehicles can catch fire even when parked and switched off. Keep the vehicle away from structures until it is repaired.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

Model years affected: 2010–2019

The problem

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

What can happen

An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

The fix

Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.

Vehicles affected: 1,730,192
Maker's recall no.: SC284
Owners notified: March 29, 2024

Read campaign 23V652000 on NHTSA.gov ↗

13V114000Exterior lightingReported April 1, 2013

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

Model years affected: 2009

The 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.

What can happen

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.

The 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.

Vehicles affected: 980,377
Maker's recall no.: SC098
Owners notified: April 19, 2013

Read campaign 13V114000 on NHTSA.gov ↗

12V245000BrakeReported May 31, 2012

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

Model years affected: 2009

The 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.

What can happen

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.

The 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.

Vehicles affected: 21,912
Maker's recall no.: SC096
Owners notified: June 15, 2012

Read campaign 12V245000 on NHTSA.gov ↗

What to do if your Kia Borrego is on this list

A recall listed here applies to a range of vehicles, not to every car of that model year. Manufacturers narrow it down by build date and VIN, so the only way to know whether yours is included is to check the VIN. You can do that free on NHTSA's recall lookup, or by calling any franchised dealer for that brand with your VIN in hand.

Recall repairs are free. Under federal law the manufacturer has to fix a safety defect at no charge, and there is no mileage limit and no expiry on that obligation for vehicles under 15 years old. A dealer cannot charge you for the parts, the labour, or the diagnosis on a recall repair, and you do not need to have bought the car there. If a dealer asks you to pay, that is worth escalating to the manufacturer's customer line, which is listed in the remedy text of each recall above.

Recalls do not block a title transfer or registration in any state. You can legally buy, sell, or register a car with an open recall, and sellers are generally not required to fix one first. That said, an open recall is worth raising before money changes hands, especially one with a do-not-drive advisory. If you are buying, run the VIN before you hand over the payment; if you are selling, telling the buyer about an open recall costs you nothing and avoids a dispute later.

Kia Borrego recall questions

How many recalls does the Kia Borrego have?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the Kia Borrego across model years 2009 to 2019. That count covers recalls filed from 2010 onward. Not every campaign applies to every car of that model year, because manufacturers limit recalls by build date and VIN.

Which Kia Borrego model year has the most recalls?

The 2009 Kia Borrego carries the most, with 3 recall campaigns. A high count does not automatically mean a worse car: a single supplier fault can trigger a recall across an entire production run, and manufacturers that report problems quickly tend to show more campaigns.

Are Kia Borrego recall repairs free?

Yes. Federal law requires the manufacturer to repair a safety recall at no cost, including parts and labour, on vehicles under 15 years old. There is no mileage limit, and you do not have to be the original owner or have bought the car from that dealer.

Can I sell or register a Kia Borrego with an open recall?

Yes. An open recall does not stop a title transfer or registration in any state, and private sellers are generally not required to repair one first. Dealers face stricter rules on some safety recalls. If you are buying, check the VIN before you pay; the repair is free, but you want to know what you are taking on.

Other Kia recalls

Kia Sorento recalls38 Kia Sportage recalls23 Kia Telluride recalls19 Kia Forte recalls18 Kia Optima recalls18 Kia Soul recalls15

Where this data comes from

Every recall on this page is published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the federal agency that oversees vehicle safety recalls in the United States. We pull the full recall file from NHTSA and reproduce the campaign number, defect description, consequence, and remedy exactly as the manufacturer reported them. NHTSA data is in the public domain.

Source:: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
NHTSA data as of:: July 18, 2026
Coverage:: Recalls from 2010 onward

Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov ↗

Buying or selling this car?

🔧All Kia recalls→🔑Paperwork for buying a used car→📝Paperwork for selling a car→📄Title transfer rules by state→📑Vehicle registration documents explained→🚗Recalls by make and model→

Last reviewed: 2026-07-18 · Reviewed by the Car Paperwork editorial team · Independent resource · Not legal advice

⚠ Independent resource — check your VIN before actingCar Paperwork is not affiliated with NHTSA, any manufacturer, or any dealer. This page lists recalls issued for a model, which is not the same as a recall on your car: only a VIN check confirms that. Recall records are also updated by NHTSA continuously, so treat this as a starting point and confirm anything urgent with NHTSA or a franchised dealer. Nothing here is legal or repair advice.