NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
117 reports63,000 miles · Sep 21, 2015
Exterior LightingVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACTS OWNS A 2007 KIA RONDO. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000. UPDATED 11/09/15*LJ THE CONSUMER STATE…
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TL* THE CONTACTS OWNS A 2007 KIA RONDO. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000. UPDATED 11/09/15*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THEY DID NOT GET NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL BECAUSE THE CAR WASN'T MADE AT THE PLANT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL. CONSUMER STATED THEY HAD TROUBLE GETTING THE CRUISE CONTROL TO DISENGAGED AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) MALFUNCTION LIGHT WOULDN'T GO OFF. UPDATED 05/15/18*JB
NHTSA ODI #10766346
98,074 miles · Sep 6, 2015
EngineFuel/propulsion System
THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY STOP WORKING, IT WOULD ONLY WORK LONG ENOUGH TO GET IT MOVING THEN STALL. THIS IS A HAZARD BECAUSE IT CAN STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD.
NHTSA ODI #10761820
70,000 miles · Aug 31, 2015
Engine
GOT NOTICE FROM KIA ABOUT UNDERCOATING RUSTING BRAKE LINE. HOW ABOUT THE FACT THAT I HAVE A RUSTING OIL PAN WHICH IS LEAKING OIL.
NHTSA ODI #10760265
60,000 miles · Aug 24, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System
PURCHASED A 2007 KIA RONDO FROM CONCORD HONDA, CONCORD, N.C. SEPT.,2014. VEHICLE HAD ONLY APPROX. 56,000 MILES ON IT. WHILE DRIVING CAR STARTED JERKING FORWARD AND BACK. WHILE COMING TO A STOPLIGHT OR STOP SIGN AND DECELERATING(LETTING YOUR FOOT OFF THE THE GAS PEDAL) THE ENGINE WOULD STALL, THEN YOU COULD START THE ENGINE RIGHT…
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PURCHASED A 2007 KIA RONDO FROM CONCORD HONDA, CONCORD, N.C. SEPT.,2014. VEHICLE HAD ONLY APPROX. 56,000 MILES ON IT. WHILE DRIVING CAR STARTED JERKING FORWARD AND BACK. WHILE COMING TO A STOPLIGHT OR STOP SIGN AND DECELERATING(LETTING YOUR FOOT OFF THE THE GAS PEDAL) THE ENGINE WOULD STALL, THEN YOU COULD START THE ENGINE RIGHT BACK UP. NOW AT 75,000 MILES CAR WILL NOT KEEP RUNNING EVERYTIME YOU STOP.ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON,EXTENDED START AND NO ACCELERATION...WHEN YOU PUSH ACCELERATOR IT DOES NOT ACCELLERATE. HAD ENGINE LIGHT CODE CHECKED AND DEALER TECH DIAGNOSE IS THAT HERE AGAIN IT IS THE THE FUEL PUMP!!! COST TO REPLACE IS $650.00 PLUS TAX...FACTORY DEFFECTIVE....SOMEBODY WAKE UP !!!!!
NHTSA ODI #10758728
100,000 miles · Aug 6, 2015
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RONDO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RONDO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #10746720
100,000 miles · Jul 30, 2015
Suspension
JULY 30,2015 HELLO, THIS E-MAIL IS TO REPORT THAT BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE FOUND CRACKED ON MY 2007 KIA RONDO. RECENTLY, I WAS INFORMED THAT BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS ARE CRACKED ON MY CAR. I CALLED KIA AND A LOCAL DEALER. THE DEALER TOLD ME THIS PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY NORMAL WEAR. THE CAR HAS 100,000 MILES. IT …
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JULY 30,2015 HELLO, THIS E-MAIL IS TO REPORT THAT BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE FOUND CRACKED ON MY 2007 KIA RONDO. RECENTLY, I WAS INFORMED THAT BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS ARE CRACKED ON MY CAR. I CALLED KIA AND A LOCAL DEALER. THE DEALER TOLD ME THIS PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY NORMAL WEAR. THE CAR HAS 100,000 MILES. IT HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, TOWED A TRAILER, NOR CARRIED EXCESSIVE LOADS. EVERY SPRING, I HOSE UNDER THE CAR. I?M REPORTING THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS FLAW IN THE CARS? SUSPENSION. I BELIEVE THIS POSES A SERIOUS SAFETY THREAT TO DRIVERS FROM TIRES AND BRAKES BEING COMPROMISED. THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *JB
NHTSA ODI #10744908
90,000 miles · Jul 22, 2015
EngineVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RONDO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE JERKED ABRUPTLY AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD AT A SLOWER SPEED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE WHEEL SPEED AN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RONDO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE JERKED ABRUPTLY AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD AT A SLOWER SPEED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE WHEEL SPEED AND OXYGEN SENSORS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA ODI #10735776
127,300 miles · Jun 18, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes
BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED AND ESC LIGHT WILL NOT TURN OFF.
NHTSA ODI #10725900
30,000 miles · May 20, 2015
Engine
ABOUT 3 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED MY KIA RONDO I NOTICED THAT EVERY TIME I FILLED THE TANK THERE WAS A PROBLEM.FOR THE LAST 5 YEARS I HAVE REPLACED A SENSOR EVERY YEAR TO TURN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OF DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. AFTER PUTTING GAS IN MY TANK ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE. THE TANK BEGINS TO GARGLE THE HAS THE CAR REVS HIGH N TH…
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ABOUT 3 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED MY KIA RONDO I NOTICED THAT EVERY TIME I FILLED THE TANK THERE WAS A PROBLEM.FOR THE LAST 5 YEARS I HAVE REPLACED A SENSOR EVERY YEAR TO TURN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OF DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. AFTER PUTTING GAS IN MY TANK ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE. THE TANK BEGINS TO GARGLE THE HAS THE CAR REVS HIGH N THEN LOW UNTIL IT SHUTS OFF AND IF I CAN GET IT ON AGAIN IT WILL REV HIGH N LOW AGAIN WHILE DRIVING UNTIL IT AHUTA OFF IN MIDDLE OF ROAD WHILE DRIVING. I'VE LEARNED HOW TO MANAGE IT BUT I DON'T THINK THAT WHEN A CAR COSTS YOU 15 GRAND U SHOULD HA E TO DEAL WITH WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE A DEFECT IN THE CAR.
NHTSA ODI #10717463
261,886 miles · Apr 26, 2015
Tires
MY ROAD HUGGER GT ECO TIRES HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE AFTER ONLY 15,000 MILES AND HAVE A 60,000 MILE WARRANTY. I WROTE DISCOUNT TIRE ABOUT THE DEFECT ON APRIL 6, 2015 VIA FEDEX OVERNIGHT MAIL BUT HAVE HEARD NOTHING AS OF TODAY. I HAVE HAD MY CAR INSPECTED BY MY LOCAL KIA DEALER AND IT HAS NO STRUCTURAL OR ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10712976
Official recalls
3Apr 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.
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.
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.
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