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 federal safety agency 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.
The worst 2010 Kia Borrego problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Transmission2
- Electrical1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Transmission2
- Electrical1
Recalls 2
Structure: body: roof and pillars
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 23V692000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 23V652000 · Recall details
See all 2 recalls for the 2010 Kia Borrego
Defect investigations
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V‑520, 20V‑543, 21V‑161, 21V‑160, 21V‑303, 22V‑056, 22V‑810, and 23V‑651. Kia recalls 16V‑815, 20V‑518, 20V‑519, 21V‑137, 21V‑331, 22V‑051, 22V‑800, and 23V‑652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.
AQ23002
Technical service bulletins for the 2010 Kia Borrego 6
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Information for headlamp condensation and moisture
- Pitstop - engine component re-use guidelines
- TSB - use of aftermarket USB charging cables in USB/12V ports
- Kds - audio update module (AUM) - the gds audio update module (AUM) was introduced in fourth quarter of 2013
- Summary to be provided on a future date.
- Kia motors: installing an additional ground cable to the battery may cause sensor problems
What 2010 Kia Borrego owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
Compare the 2010 Kia Borrego
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Questions about the 2010 Kia Borrego
Is the 2010 Kia Borrego reliable?
Owners have filed 2 complaints about the 2010 Kia Borrego, close to a typical Borrego model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2010 Kia Borrego?
Transmission and drivetrain, with 2 complaints. Next is electrical (1).
How many recalls does the 2010 Kia Borrego have?
2 recalls, covering structure and service brakes, hydraulic.
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