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2009 Kia Sportage EX Auto AWD

The 2009 Kia Sportage EX Auto AWD is a 173-hp V6 with a 4-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. It starts at $23,400 MSRP and is rated at 20 mpg combined.

It makes 173 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 178 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 18 mpg city and 23 mpg highway (20 mpg combined).

The Sportage measures 171.3 inches long on a 103.5-inch wheelbase.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSUV
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$23,400 ($35,455 *)
MSRP with Destination$24,075 ($36,477 *)
Destination Charge$675
Engine
Engine TypeDelta G6BA 2.7L DOHC V6, MPI, naturally aspirated
Horsepower173 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque178 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
ValvetrainDOHC, 24-valve
Bore and Stroke86.7 x 75
Injection TypeMulti-point fuel injection
Drivetrain
Drive TypeAll-Wheel Drive
Differential TypeElectronically controlled AWD with driver-selectable lock
Transmission
Transmission4-speed automatic
Fuel Economy
City18 MPG
Highway23 MPG
Combined20 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular unleaded
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front16 in
Wheels Rear16 in
Tires Front235/60R16
Tires Rear235/60R16
Dimensions & Weight
Length171.3 in
Width70.9 in
Height66.7 in
Wheelbase103.5 in
Ground Clearance7.7 in
Cargo Volume23.6 ft³
Interior
Headroom Front40.7 in
Headroom Rear39.4 in
Legroom Front42.1 in
Legroom Rear37.2 in
Shoulder Room Front56.7 in
Shoulder Room Rear56.3 in
Hip Room Front54.6 in
Hip Room Rear54.6 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal – driver ★★★★★
Frontal – passenger ★★★★★
Side crash Not rated
Rollover ★★★★★ (17.4 % risk)
Tested variant: 2009 Kia Sportage 4-DR w/SAB

Recalls

3 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2009 Kia SPORTAGE. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Oct 24, 2022 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE Park outside

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2008-2009 Sportage vehicles previously recalled under recall 16V-815. An engine compartment fire originating from around the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may occur while parked or driving.

Consequence: A fire increases the risk of injury.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures and other vehicles until the recall repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and replace the HECU, its wiring harness, and its fuses, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 22, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC253.

NHTSA campaign 22V800000

Nov 10, 2016 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 Kia Sportage vehicles manufactured August 9, 2007, to May 13, 2009. The wire harness cover on the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may be improperly sealed allowing water to get onto the HECU circuit board. If the water is contaminated with salt, such as could occur from melted snow, the wire harness connector pins may corrode and the circuit board may short circuit.

Consequence: If the HECU short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the connector pins for corrosion, if no corrosion is found, the connector cover will be replaced. If corrosion is present, the dealer will replace the HECU assembly and the connector cover, free of charge. The recall began on November 28, 2016. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC138.

NHTSA campaign 16V815000

Apr 1, 2013 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign 13V114000

80 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2009 Kia SPORTAGE

Owner Complaints

80 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2009 Kia SPORTAGE (4 mention a crash, 8 a fire, 4 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Electrical System18
Air Bags16
Service Brakes15
Steering14
Engine10
Hydraulic8
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Sep 23, 2025 · Electrical System, Engine, Fuel/Propulsion System Fire
“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…”
Oct 2, 2023 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical System
“The contact owns a 2009 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V800000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available…”
Jul 18, 2023 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
“The contact owns a 2009 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V800000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The…”
May 4, 2023 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical System
“The contact owns a 2009 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle in the dealer's parking lot after the recall repair of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 16V815000 (Electrical System) and…”
May 2, 2023 · Suspension, Structure, Unknown Or Other
“The frame has rusted out on this vehicle. The passenger side frame above the rear axle is completely rusted out. I can put my thumb through the rear frame on the driver's side. The exhaust system on…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2009 KIA SPORTAGE. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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