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 reports

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16,500 miles · May 1, 2013

EngineService Brakes

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OUR ENGINE BLEW UP- SPECIFICALLY, THE CRANKSHAFT BROKE THROUGH THE 3RD CYLINDER. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY OUR KIA DEALERSHIP IN THE MIDDLE OF MARCH - OIL/FILTER CHANGE AND INSPECTION. THE NEXT WEEK WE LEFT ON VACATION TO FLORIDA FOR A CRUISE. VEHICLE WAS STORED AT A LONG TERM STORAGE FACILITY FOR THE WEEK. ABOUT 10 HOURS INTO OUR RETURN ROAD TRIP, WE CHECKED THE OIL LEVEL. CAR WAS ALMOST 2 QUARTS LOW. WE ADDED AN ADDITIONAL QUART. THERE IS NO INDICATION ON THE DASH THAT ANYTHING IS WRONG WITH THE ENGINE OR THE OIL. WE CONTINUED ON OUR WAY. ANOTHER 5 HOURS INTO OUR TRIP, WE ARE DRIVING ALONG WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET. THE ENGINE STARTS MAKING LOUD KNOCKING NOISES, I AM UNABLE TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL EVEN THOUGH I AM FRANTICALLY PRESSING THE BRAKE. THE ENGINE IS REVVING LOUDER AND LOUDER UNTIL WE HEAR A LOUD BANG AND THE ENTIRE CAR LOOSES POWER. WE ARE PAST OUR 100,000 MILE WARRANTY WITH KIA. HOWEVER, THERE ARE TWO FACTORS AT PLAY HERE THAT CAN BE CONTRIBUTED TO THE CAR DAMAGE: 1.) THE OIL WAS LOW AFTER ONLY 2-3 WEEKS AFTER AN OIL/FILTER CHANGE. I BELIEVE THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN MAY HAVE SOME CULPABILITY HERE BY NOT ADDING ENOUGH OIL OR NOT TIGHTENING A CAP, ETC. IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE THAT THE OIL WAS LOW. 2.) I RECENTLY FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE BRAKE LIGHT FOR OUR 2007 KIA RONDO. THAT IT MAY CAUSE AN INABILITY TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL. IN ADDITION TO MY HUSBAND, WE HAD ANOTHER COUPLE IN THE CAR WITH US WHO CAN ATTEST TO MY FRANTIC ACTIONS TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL. MY ONLINE RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT KIA HAD A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH BLOWN MOTORS. THEY NO LONGER MAKE THE ENGINE FOR OUR VEHICLE. TO FIX THIS VEHICLE, IT WOULD HAVE TO BE RETROFITTED WITH A CURRENT MOTOR. THIS IS VERY EXPENSIVE. OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A REASON WHY THOSE MOTORS AREN'T IN PRODUCTION ANYMORE. WHY HAVEN'T THEY RECALLED THESE ENGINES? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10510306

77,000 miles · Mar 13, 2013

Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineService Brakes

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I WAS DRIVING MY 2007 KIA RONDO AT HIGHWAY SPEED WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON WHEN THE ENGINE SPEED REVVED UP DRAMATICALLY-AS IF THE TRANSMISSION HAD DISENGAGED. STEPPED ON THE BRAKES, CRUISE DISENGAGED AND ENGINE SLOWED. AROUND THE SAME TIME, NOTICED THE ABS AND ESC OFF LIGHTS WOULD COME ON INTERMITTENTLY, STAY ON, THEN NOT COME ON. AT SLOW SPEED TURNS AFTER THE CAR SET FOR A WHILE, THE ABS WOULD ENGAGE ON DRY PAVEMENT (WITHOUT LIGHT) AND CAR DID NOT SLOW NORMALLY. WENT TO DEALER, WHO SAID THE ISSUE WAS A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, WHICH WAS REPLACED AND VEHICLE TAKEN FOR A TEST DRIVE. WHEN I PICKED THE CAR UP, BOTH THE ABS AND ESC OFF LIGHTS WERE OFF, BUT CAME ON WITHIN MINUTES OF LEAVING THE LOT. LATER THAT NIGHT, ABS STARTED ACTING UP AGAIN-ONCE WITHOUT EVEN STEPPING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. TAKING THE CAR BACK TO DEALER TOMORROW TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON. ONLY LEARNED OF STOP LIGHT SWITCH RECALL BY WEB SEARCH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10502727

95,500 miles · Nov 20, 2012

Engine

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THE ENGINE IS FAULTY IF THEY DEMAND THAT ONLY OEM OIL FILTERS CAN BE USED OTHERWISE ENGINE WILL BREAK AND WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER IT. MY STORY: MY 2007 KIA RONDO: SO MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON THE OTHER DAY. I TAKE IT MY KIA DEALER AND THEY SAY IT'S CODE 90011 - CAMSHAFT POSITIONING SENSOR ERROR. THEY TELL ME THAT THERE IS A "KIA BULLETIN" OUT ABOUT NON-OEM OIL FILTERS CAUSING THIS ERROR AND THAT I SHOULD ONLY BE USING OEM FILTERS. SO, THEY CHANGE MY OIL AND PUT ON THE NEW OEM FILTER. THEY THEN TELL ME THAT SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT IF LIGHT COMES BACK ON TO BRING IT BACK IN. I LEFT EXCITED THE LIGHT WAS OFF, AND THEN I AM NOT KIDDING - 1.3 MILES LATER ON THE FREEWAY HOME, ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE IN MY ENGINE! IT THREW A ROD AND OIL SPEWED OUT EVERYWHERE. SO, TOWED IT BACK. THEY TELL ME HOW SORRY THEY ARE. I TELL THEM I STILL HAVE 5K MILES LEFT IN WARRANTY. THEY TELL ME I NEED TO SHOW PROOF OF ALL OIL CHANGES AND BRING THEM THE RECEIPTS. I CAN ONLY TRACK DOWN 9 OIL CHANGES FOR THE LAST 5 YEARS. I METHODICALLY CHANGED THE OIL EVERY 4K MILES, MANY OF THEM I DID MYSELF. DID I THINK TO SAVE THE WALMART RECEIPTS FOR OIL AND FILTERS? NOPER. LONG STORY SHORT, THEY DENIED MY CLAIM FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS: 1. THERE IS A "KIA BULLETIN" THAT CAME OUT RECENTLY THAT SAYS I SHOULD HAVE ONLY BEEN USING OEM KIA FILTERS AND I DID NOT. 2. I COULD NOT PRODUCE ENOUGH RECEIPTS TO PROVE THAT BETWEEN SELF OIL CHANGES AND OTHERWISE WERE DONE EVERY 3K MILES. EVEN IF I DID GET THE RECEIPTS, THEY DON'T SELL KIA OEM FILTERS AT WALMART OR AUTOZONE, BIG O, ETC. SO I AM LEFT WITH $7K STILL OWING ON A CAR THAT NEEDS A $5200 ENGINE. GOD BLESS SOUTH KOREA! P.S.S. WHEN THE DEALER FIRST CHANGE MY OIL, THEY SAID THE OIL WAS REALLY QUITE CLEAN AND COULD TELL I TAKE CARE OF THE ENGINE!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10485240

108,000 miles · Aug 21, 2012

Engine

DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WAS ABOUT TO EXIT OFF WHEN MY KIA RONDO STOPPED OUT OF NOWHERE. THE ENGINE JUST WENT THEN I LOOKED BACK TO SEE IF THE WAS ANY OIL THAT CAME OUT AND THERE WAS OIL SPILLED ON THE EXIT RAMP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10471820

Official recalls

13V114000 · 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

DP22003 · 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.