2010 Kia Borrego problems

General information about Kia-Borrego
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list
Recalls list

The Kia Mohave, marketed in North America and China as the Kia Borrego, is a sport utility vehicle (SUV) manufactured by the South Korean manufacturer Kia. The vehicle debuted in 2008 in the South Korean and U.S. markets. The Kia Borrego is named after the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in California; Borrego means "bighorned sheep" which can be found in the state park.

First generation (HM; 2008)

Production history

The production model, designed by automotive designer Peter Schreyer, former chief designer for Audi, was introduced at the 2008 North American International Auto Show. The vehicle was originally shown as a concept car under the Kia Mesa name at the 2005 North American International Auto Show and went on sale in Korea as the Mohave prior to its release in the United States. In the US, the Borrego went on hiatus for the 2010 model year, with no word on its return or cancellation, after lower than expected sales in 2009. Kia, however, still continued selling the Borrego in Canada, meaning the Borrego was a Canada-only nameplate from 2010–2011. Domestic versions of the Mohave do not wear any Kia badges, instead using a version of the Kia Opirus's logo, due to their status as Kia's flagship models.

As of October 28, 2011, the model was discontinued with the Sorento as a successor, except the Middle East, China, Central Asia, Brazil, Chile and Russia. It was later dropped from the Chinese and Brazilian markets.

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Common 2010 Kia Borrego problems

Based on the complaints from owners of the Kia Borrego 2010, here are some common problems with this car:

Engine Fire Risk:
- Hyundai and Kia have recalled nearly 3.4 million vehicles, including the 2010 through 2019 Borrego, due to a fire risk related to the anti-lock brake control module leaking fluid, which can cause an electrical short and potentially lead to fires.
  - The engine compartment fire risk poses a serious safety concern for Kia Borrego owners, prompting a recall to replace the anti-lock brake fuse and advising owners to park their vehicles outdoors until repairs are completed.

Paintwork and Corrosion:
- Traditionally, Korean cars like the Kia Borrego may have issues with paintwork quality and corrosion resistance, with reports of rust pockets in areas like seals, wheel arches, trunk lid, and door edges, affecting the aesthetics and longevity of the vehicle .
- Concerns about paintwork quality and corrosion resistance highlight the importance of regular maintenance to prevent rust and maintain the appearance of the Kia Borrego over time.
Suspension Design:
- The Kia Mohave (Borrego) features a suspension system with completely independent front suspension and air springs in the rear, which has caused confusion among owners due to potential corrosion issues with sensors and wiring, impacting the vehicle's ride quality and stability .
- The unique suspension design of the Kia Borrego may lead to challenges with sensor corrosion and wiring issues, affecting the overall performance and reliability of the vehicle, especially in off-road conditions.

These common problems with the Kia Borrego 2010 highlight various issues that owners have faced, ranging from transmission and engine concerns to paintwork quality and suspension design challenges. Regular maintenance and prompt attention to these issues are crucial to ensure the safety, performance, and longevity of the Kia Borrego.

Why did Kia stop making the Borrego?

Due to lackluster sales, Kia discontinuedthe model in 2010, with it only ever being in production for one year.

What is the safety rating of the Kia Borrego?

The Borrego has received five-star front and side impact ratings for both front and rear seat passengers.

Where was Kia Borrego made?

Is Kia Borrego 4 wheel drive?

Performance & mpg

Both engines are available with either rear-wheel drive or full-time four-wheel drive.

2010 Kia Borrego car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Kia Borrego problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

Power train problems
Electrical system problems
Equipment problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 2010 Kia Borrego vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

2010 Kia Borrego complaints

The NHTSA has received 2 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2010 Kia Borrego.

2017-11-11

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2017-11-02
Components: POWER TRAIN
Summary: I NOW FIND MYSELF DEALING WITH AN ISSUE THAT I NOW KNOW IS A WELL-KNOWN AND DOCUMENTED PROBLEM WITH THE ZF 6-SPEED TRANSMISSION USED IN THIS PARTICULAR V8 MODEL. THIS PAST WEEK, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING BECAME ERRATIC, IN PARTICULAR, AND AMONG OTHER ISSUES, HOLDING ON TO 3RD GEAR AND REFUSING TO UP SHIFT OR DOWN SHIFT PROPERLY. THERE WERE A FEW TIMES IN WHICH WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STAND-STILL ' A STOP LIGHT AND/OR 4-WAY-STOP INTERSECTION, FOR EXAMPLE ' THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT UP FROM 1ST GEAR OR WOULD START ON 3RD GEAR AND WOULD NOT DOWN SHIFT DOWN TO 2ND NOR UP SHIFT TO 4TH. BIZARRE AND DANGEROUS TO SAY THE LEAST, AS IT WAS A STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC SITUATION. ON TWO OTHER OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING AT OVER 35 MPH OR SO, THE ENGINE WOULD SHIFT VERY ABRUPTLY FROM 3RD TO 4TH GEAR, AND THEN WOULD DOWN SHIFT BACK TO 3RD GEAR. THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO SHUT DOWN THE CAR. I DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO SO AFTER FIVE MINUTES OR SO I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND HEADED HOME. UPON EXTENSIVE RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A WELL-KNOWN ISSUE, DOCUMENTED BY MANY KIA MOHAVE V8 OWNERS, AND ONE THAT HAS NOT BEEN CLASSIFIED AS A RECALL, EVEN THOUGH IT SEEMS TO BE A DEFECTIVE COMPONENT ISSUE AND IT HAS LED TO MANY UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS DRIVING SITUATIONS. I HAVE FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS PARTICULAR KIA MOHAVE V8 MODEL THROUGHOUT KIA OWNERS' FORUMS AND EVEN ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. I ALSO FOUND ONLINE THE KIA TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 035 [REV1, 3/7/11], WHICH DOCUMENTS THE ISSUE TO A T. AT THIS POINT. THERE IS NO OFFICIAL CALLBACK ISSUED BY KIA MOTORS YET. THIS ISSUE IS A DISASTOR WAITING FOR HAPPEN WHICH CAN CAUSE GREAT HARM TO ITS UNSUSPECTING CUSTOMERS.

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2010-09-08

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2010-07-19
Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT
Summary: OUR 2009 KIA BORREGO HAS HAD SEVERAL ISSUES. WORST ARE 1) WE PUT VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND BACKED OUT OF GARAGE, WENT TO PUT IN DRIVE AND STARTED DOWN DRIVEWAY. WE FORGOT SOMETHING SO STOPPED AND BACKED UP, UPON PUTTING BACK TO DRIVE WE GOT LOCKED IN NEUTRAL. WE COULD NOT GET CAR INTO REVERSE OR PARK. WE PUSHED THE ENGINE OFF BUTTON WHICH SHUT CAR OFF, BUT STILL WERE STUCK IN NEUTRAL. CAR WOULD NOT START BACK UP. WE HAD TO PRESS BRAKE HARD AND GOT CAR STARTED THEN IT WAS OK. 2) THEN A FEW DAYS LATER THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR WAS GOING TO BE DRIVEN TO ANOTHER CITY FOR WORK SO WE TOOK BY KIA. THEY SAID WE COULD DRIVE IT, BUT IT COULD STALL OUT WHILE DRIVING. AT ANY SPEED! WE LEFT AT KIA FOR SERVICE. UNDER WARRANTY, SO NOT EXACTLY WHAT CAUSED IT. BUT DO KNOW MY CAR BATTERY IS NOW DYING AND WE'VE HAD FOR 6 MONTHS. NOW WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH THAT. *TR

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2010 Kia Borrego recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 2010 Kia Borrego.

2023-10-13

Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Components: STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
Summary: 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.
Consequence: A headliner plate that detaches during a crash may strike an occupant, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.

2023-09-25

Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Park Out Side: 1
Park Out Side: 1
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
Summary: 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.
Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.

Additional sources

More sources of information about 2010 Kia Borrego problems:

What's Wrong with the Kia Borrego?

http://www.kiacomplaints.com/models/borrego/

Worst Issues · trouble shifting gears in the 2009 Borrego. 3 complaints · transmission locks up in the 2009 Borrego. 1 complaints · seat belt not latching properly ...

Kia Borrego any good? : r/whatcarshouldIbuy

https://www.reddit.com/r/whatcarshouldIbuy/comments/12838ml/kia_borrego_any_good/

Mar 31, 2023 ... If I get 100,000 miles out of it mostly problem free it will be the best vehicle purchase I made. Upvote

Kia Borrego Transmission Problem...needs to be replaced | Kia Forum

https://www.kia-forums.com/threads/kia-borrego-transmission-problem-needs-to-be-replaced.51761/

May 27, 2009 ... Upon extensive research, I have found that this is a well-known issue, documented by many KIA Borrego V8 owners, and one that has not been ...

2009 Kia Borrego- keep it and repair or sell? Major issues listed : r ...

https://www.reddit.com/r/askcarguys/comments/lj8bwt/2009_kia_borrego_keep_it_and_repair_or_sell_major/

Feb 13, 2021 ... While I've never worked on a Kia transmission...I can't believe they're that complicated. Worst case, get an entire replacement tranny from a ...

Borrego Transmission Issues | Kia Forum

https://www.kia-forums.com/threads/borrego-transmission-issues.330720/

Jul 17, 2018 ... I have a 2009 Borrego 3.8L V8 with 140K in miles. I get in this morning to go to work and the car feels like it is stuck in a higher drive ...