NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 2 owner complaints for the 2010 Kia Borrego. Most complaints involve power train (2) and electrical system (1). The EPA rates it 17–18 mpg combined.
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.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“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,…”
“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”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Borrego 2WD Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 21 | 18 | $3,550 | 494 |
| Borrego 2WD Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 22 | 18 | $3,550 | 494 |
| Borrego 4WD Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L · 4-Wheel Drive | 16 | 21 | 18 | $3,550 | 494 |
| Borrego 4WD Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · 4-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,800 | 523 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
2 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (2), electrical system (1), equipment (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2010 Kia Borrego at 17–18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).