IllustrationI WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT AND I REAR ENDED AN AT&T UTILITY TRUCK. *TR
2007 Kia Rondo
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2007 Kia Rondo do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 72.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Rondo years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
190–25K
1825–50K
2050–75K
2275–100K
21100–150K
4150K+
104 reports with mileage · 13 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
13 crash reports2 fire reports6 injury reports
Engine complaints
24 reportsMY 2007 RONDO HAS BEEN ACTING UP, WILL NOT START DIRECTLY AFTER GETTING GAS. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. YESTERDAY I DID NOT GET GAS, HOWEVER IT STALLED WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND WOULD NOT START AS IT DOES WHEN I GET GAS. I FORTUNATELY WAS AT AN INTERSECTION. IF IT HAD STALLED A LITTLE FARTHER UP THE ROAD I WOULD HAVE BEEN RE…
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MY 2007 RONDO HAS BEEN ACTING UP, WILL NOT START DIRECTLY AFTER GETTING GAS. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. YESTERDAY I DID NOT GET GAS, HOWEVER IT STALLED WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND WOULD NOT START AS IT DOES WHEN I GET GAS. I FORTUNATELY WAS AT AN INTERSECTION. IF IT HAD STALLED A LITTLE FARTHER UP THE ROAD I WOULD HAVE BEEN REAR ENDED AS THERE WAS A CAR DIRECTLY BEHIND ME. I HAVE PREVIOUSLY REPLACED THE PURGE VALVE SOLENOID AS SUGGESTED, NO DIFFERENCE. WHY IS THE 2.7 RONDO NOT RECALLED FOR THIS AS THE 2.4 ENGINE WAS? *TR
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT THE INDICATED SPEED LIMIT OF 35 MILES PER HOUR, THERE WAS A LOUD THUMP AND THEN MY CAR STOPPED. IMMEDIATELY, I WAS TERRIFIED. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON. SOMEONE PULLED OVER TO HELP ME AND I EASED MY CAR OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH PERSONS MANUALLY PUSHING THE CAR BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT ST…
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WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT THE INDICATED SPEED LIMIT OF 35 MILES PER HOUR, THERE WAS A LOUD THUMP AND THEN MY CAR STOPPED. IMMEDIATELY, I WAS TERRIFIED. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON. SOMEONE PULLED OVER TO HELP ME AND I EASED MY CAR OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH PERSONS MANUALLY PUSHING THE CAR BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT START BACK UP. I CALLED FOR ASSISTANCE AND WAS TOWED HOME. UPON GETTING THE CAR HOME, I WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINE IS DEAD. I WAS SHOCKED. I WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD END UP HAVING TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ENGINE AND THAT COULD BE VERY EXPENSIVE. MY PROBLEM IS THAT I WAS GETTING REGULAR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE TO INCLUDE OIL CHANGES. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW A ENGINE JUST BLOWS LIKE THAT WITHOUT NO WARNING LIGHT (ELECTRICAL PROBLEM) COMING ON OR ANYTHING. I JUST COULD NOT BELIEVE THIS. I STARTED TO DO SOME RESEARCH. I FOUND SEVERAL REPORTS THAT THE ENGINE DIED IN KIA RONDO MODELS. I CONTACTED KIA TO ASK THEM IF THEY HAD LOOKED INTO THIS SINCE SO MANY REPORTS HAVE BEEN MADE. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE TO DO ANYTHING BECAUSE THE NHTSA HAS NOT TOLD THEM THEY HAD TO. I THEN ASKED WHAT ABOUT SAFETY. I ALSO SAID THAT THIS CAN CAUSE FATALITIES BECAUSE HAD I BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY AND MY CAR JUST STOPPED LIKE THAT, I DON'T KNOW WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED. THIS ISSUE IS OCCURRING TOO OFTEN IN THIS MODEL OF VEHICLE. AND TO BE HONEST I THINK KIA IS AWARE OF THIS BECAUSE THEY ACTUALLY STOPPED MAKING THIS MODEL. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. WHAT AM I TO DO ABOUT MY TRANSPORTATION NOW THAT THIS ENGINE IS DEAD??? KIA NEEDS TO ANSWER FOR THIS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RONDO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OIL PAN CORRODED AND FRACTURED CAUSING OIL TO LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE METAL OIL PAN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MIL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RONDO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OIL PAN CORRODED AND FRACTURED CAUSING OIL TO LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE METAL OIL PAN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. UPDATED 03/04/15*LJ UPDATED 10/8/2015*JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RONDO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE FAILURES OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT STATED …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RONDO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE FAILURES OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V114000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RONDO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO MAKE NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE A/C BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RONDO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO MAKE NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE A/C BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,029.
TWO TIMES MY ENGINE DIED WHILE DRIVING IN ICY WHETHER. THIS OCCURRED WHEN THE WHEELS WERE SPINNING, IT SOUNDED AS IF SOME SYSTEM WAS TRYING TO STOP THE SPIN. THE FIRST TIME I WAS DRIVING APPROX. 25 MILES PER HOUR ON LEVEL GROUND. THE SECOND TIME, APPROX. TWO TO FOUR WEEKS LATER ALSO IN ICY CONDITIONS ON LEVEL GROUND, INCIDENT O…
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TWO TIMES MY ENGINE DIED WHILE DRIVING IN ICY WHETHER. THIS OCCURRED WHEN THE WHEELS WERE SPINNING, IT SOUNDED AS IF SOME SYSTEM WAS TRYING TO STOP THE SPIN. THE FIRST TIME I WAS DRIVING APPROX. 25 MILES PER HOUR ON LEVEL GROUND. THE SECOND TIME, APPROX. TWO TO FOUR WEEKS LATER ALSO IN ICY CONDITIONS ON LEVEL GROUND, INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN DRIVING IN REVERSE. THAT TIME I INTENTIONALLY APPLIED THE GAS HARD TO TEST TRY TO GET THE TIRES TO SPIN, AND THE CAR DIED WITHIN ONE SECOND OF LEAVING PARK. I ANTICIPATE THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN AND HOPE THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN DURING RUSH HOUR WHEN I FEEL THERE IS A HIGH PROBABILITY I WILL GET IN AN ACCIDENT IF I AM UNABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RONDO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE A LOUD BANGING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RONDO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE A LOUD BANGING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RONDO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE READING INCREASED INTO THE RED ZONE WITH A CONSTANT NOISE OF FLOWING COOLANT. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT INSPECTED UNDER THE HOOD AND NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE HAD OVERHEATED. AFTER WAITING TWO HOURS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RONDO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE READING INCREASED INTO THE RED ZONE WITH A CONSTANT NOISE OF FLOWING COOLANT. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT INSPECTED UNDER THE HOOD AND NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE HAD OVERHEATED. AFTER WAITING TWO HOURS FOR THE ENGINE TO COOL, THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN CAUTIOUSLY AND TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE RADIATOR FAN MOTOR WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE LATER RECURRED. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. IN ADDITION, THE STABILIZER BAR WAS FAULTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPEN. THEY SAID THEY CHECKED IT AND NOTHING WAS WRONG IT WAS JUST THE AIR COMPRESSION "WHICH THEY FIXED" BUT AS SOON AS I WENT TO THE MALL THE STICK SHIFT JAMMED AND I COULDN'T TURN OFF THE CAR. AN OFFICER HELPED ME AN…
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I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPEN. THEY SAID THEY CHECKED IT AND NOTHING WAS WRONG IT WAS JUST THE AIR COMPRESSION "WHICH THEY FIXED" BUT AS SOON AS I WENT TO THE MALL THE STICK SHIFT JAMMED AND I COULDN'T TURN OFF THE CAR. AN OFFICER HELPED ME AND SAID TAKE IT BACK TO THE MECHANIC. WHEN I BROUGHT IT BACK HE SAID IT MOVES FINE THERE'S NOTHING WRONG. MY CAR HAS BEEN PARKED EVER SINCE THIS INCIDENT. IM AFRAID IT WILL SHUT OFF AND WE MIGHT CRASH. PLEASE HELP ME THANK YOU. *TR
Official recalls
313V114000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
Apr 1, 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 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 & remedy
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.
12V014000 · Air Bags:frontal
Jan 17, 2012
KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. (KIA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2008 KIA OPTIMA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 29, 2005, THROUGH JANUARY 29, 2008, AND MODEL YEAR 2007 AND 2008 KIA RONDO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 13, 2006, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2008. THE CLOCK SPRING CONTACT ASSEMBLY FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) MAY BECOME DAMAGED THROUGH USAGE OVER TIME. IF THE CLOCK SPRING CONTACT ASSEMBLY BECOMES DAMAGED, THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT WILL EXPERIENCE A HIGH RESISTANCE CONDITION POTENTIALLY CAUSING THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG TO NOT DEPLOY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE CLOCK SPRING DEVELOPS HIGH RESISTANCE, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVERS AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT THE DRIVER, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.
Remedy: KIA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE VEHICLE'S AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING CONTACT ASSEMBLY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 11, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.
09V130000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
Apr 17, 2009
HUYNDAI-KIA IS RECALLING 139,844 MY 2006-2007- SEDONA, SPORTAGE, SORENTO AND MY RONDO AND AMANTI VEHICLES. THE STOP LAMP SWITCH IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION. A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED OR MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED. A STOP LAMP SWITCH MALFUNCTION MAY ALSO AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK FEATURE SO THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE SHIFTED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. IT MAY ALSO CAUSE THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) MALFUNCTION LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, AND IT MAY NOT DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: ANY OF THESE MALFUNCTIONS, ALONE OR IN COMBINATION, MAY LEAD TO A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 17, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA'S CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1DP22003 · Loss Of Motive Power
Opened Sep 12, 2022 · Closed Dec 12, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing. There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.