KiaBorrego2009Overview/kia/borrego/2009/base/

2009 Kia Borrego

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2009 Borrego.

Body SUV

The 2009 Kia Borrego is an SUV whose 5.5-quart engine oil specification, accepting either 5W-20 or 5W-30 API grades, anchors the maintenance baseline researchers typically work from. Where it truly stands out, however, is on the reliability record: across the model's complaint history spanning 2008 through 2019, the 2009 year alone accounts for 87 owner complaints — the highest in that run and dramatically outpacing the 2 complaints logged for 2008 — with the powertrain named as the leading trouble area and three recalls on file. For anyone building a picture of the Borrego's dependability arc, 2009 represents the clear high-water mark of reported problems in a nameplate whose surrounding years remained comparatively quiet.

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 124R · 600 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 124R · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnLPOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length192.1 in
Overall width75.6 in
Overall height69.7 in
Wheelbase114.2 in
Curb weight4469 lb
Track (front / rear)63.8 / 63.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)52/48

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Borrego of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.1–7.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.10 sec — 2009 EX
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2009EX 4.6L V87.10 sec15.50 sec337 hpAWD
2009EX 4.6L V87.20 sec15.50 sec337 hpAWD
2009EX 4.6L V87.40 sec15.70 sec337 hpAWD
2009Limited 4.6L V87.50 sec15.80 sec337 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.5 qt of 5W-20 / 5W-30 API engine oil, GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 · DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 65-80 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-7-8-4-5-6-3.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity11.3
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.7
Brake FluidDOT 3 · DOT 4
Differential Gear OilGL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs10-11 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs7-9 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts209-224 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts290-296 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts72-79 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts53-56 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts29-33 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts36-40 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts65-80 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug22.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug22.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub177-199 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub177-199 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-7-8-4-5-6-3
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.56-.68 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance5,950-8,050 ohms
Ignition Timing11, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance5 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm
Ignition Timing0, Not adjustable degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity3.8 L
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity6.24-7.25 oz
Standard BCI Group Number124R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca
Standard BCI Cranking Performance900 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)54.0-56.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)55 psi
Injector Primary Resistance11.4-12.6 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Injector Primary Resistance13.8-15.2 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression128-149 PSI.

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket16-23 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle58-72 ft-lbs / 47-54 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0002 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0012 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.1 in / 0.51 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.1 in / 0.51 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
116-19 ft. lbs., Step 2: 10016–19 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
114 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9014 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
13-4 ft. lbs., step 2: repeat 3 times: 14-173–4 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
14-6 ft. lbs., step 2: 15-204–6 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miDifferential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Power Steering System (inspect fluid level) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAir Conditioning System (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Disc Brake Caliper (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect)
Every 22,500 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Body Fasteners (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 37,500 miTransfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 60,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

In the 2009 model year the Borrego experienced a sharp spike in federal activity, with 87 consumer complaints, 3 recalls and 22 Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs), far exceeding the 2 complaints and a single TSB recorded in 2008 and the minimal numbers that follow. The subsequent years (2010‑2019) show a rapid return to near‑zero complaints, while recalls settle into a steady low of 1‑2 per year and investigations remain constant at one per year. The 2009 spike is concentrated in Power Train (9 complaints), Seat Belts (7), Steering (6) and Air Bags (4), and includes 8 crash‑related complaints but no fire reports. This pattern suggests that 2009 was an outlier year with a cluster of issues that were largely addressed through recalls and TSBs, after which the model’s record stabilizes. **Takeaway:** Because the problems appear isolated to the 2009 production run and were remedied, a well‑maintained 2009 Borrego can be acceptable, but buyers should verify that all 2009‑specific recalls and TSBs have been completed.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
22
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
87
Owner complaints
8 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 87 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train9
Seat Belts7
Steering6
Air Bags4
Fuel System, Gasoline4
Service Brakes, Hydraulic4
Unknown Or Other3
Electronic Stability Control (Esc),Service Brakes3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

12V245000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And LinkagesReported 31/05/2012

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… Remedy: 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…

13V114000Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:SwitchReported 01/04/2013

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 22 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB_BOD055_R12021-09-13StructureTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This…
TSB_TRA027_CLSD2021-05-07Electrical SystemTSB_TRA027_CLOSED: TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN CLOSED
TSB_BOD041_CLSD2021-05-07Electrical SystemTSB_BOD041_CLSD: TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN CLOSED
PS5392018-03-02Engine And Engine CoolingPITSTOP - ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed…
TSBELE091R32017-11-20Electrical SystemTSB - IDENTIFYING HEAD UNIT SOFTWARE VERSION FOR DIRECT EXCHANGE - This bulletin provides…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Borrego. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2009 Borrego take?

5.5 qt of 5W-20 OR 5W-30 API SM, per the factory manual.

Does the 2009 Borrego have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.