Air Bags. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

14 crash reports0 fire reports10 injury reports

Exterior Lighting complaints

4 reports

Clear category filter

130,000 miles · Dec 28, 2014

Air BagsExterior LightingFuel System, Gasoline

Read full complaint

VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PREMIERE KIA OF KENNER, AND ALSO CONTACTED KCA/IRVINE 7:40AM CALL; ISSUE CAR SPUTTERS WHEN GAS PEDAL APPLIED; CAR DOES NOT START AFTER FUELING, REQUIRES MULTIPLE STARTS; CAR STALLED TWICE ON HWY NOV. 20, 2014 ISSUES BEGAN. KIA DEALER REPRESENTATIVE REFUSED SERVICE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN RECALL # 08V459000 RECALL DATE SEPT. 17, 2008, SUBSEQUENTLY CONTACTED KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS IN IRVINE, CA. CALL CENTER THE PHONE CALL OUTCOME CSR STATED WOULD CONTACT THE LOCAL DISTRICT MANAGER FOR APPROVAL OF RECALL WOULD EXPEDITE PROCESS, CSR STATED WOULD CONTACT LOCAL DM WITHIN TWO HOURS AND GET BACK; RECEIVED DENIAL LETTER IN MAIL. RECALLS SHOWS 6,680 ?POTENTIAL UNITS AFFECTED FOR THIS RECALL 08V459000 FUEL PUMP SUB ASSEMBLY, WHEREAS CAMPAIGN RECALL # 12V014000 SHOWS 145,755 UNITS AFFECTED FOR ?AIRBAG CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY? AND RECALL # 13V114000 SHOWS 623,658 UNITS AFFECTED FOR ?STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY.? ON THE SURFACE SEEMS KIA IS ONLY INCLUDING FULL RECALLS FOR VEHICLES ONLY IF IT POSES THE LEAST FINANCIAL HARM TO THE CORPORATE COMPANY PROFIT AS SHOWN IN THE NUMBER OF RECALLS OF ?EASY TO FIX? ISSUES BUT THOSE SUCH AS THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY HAVE THE LEAST AMOUNT OF ISSUED RECALLS REPRESENTING A NEGLIGIBLE AMOUNT OF TOTAL VEHICLES. IS KIA SACRIFICING SAFETY FOR PROFIT WITH THESE CORPORATE DECISIONS? KIA HAS DENIED A RECALL OF THE SAME ISSUES THAT MY VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING AS STATED IN THE RECALL BULLETIN: ?THE FUEL PUMP MAY NOT SUPPLY ENOUGH FUEL TO THE ENGINE, CAUSING HARD STARTING, ENGINE HESITATION, OR OTHER POTENTIAL IMPAIRMENT. UNUSUALLY SEVERE HESITATION OR OTHER IMPAIRMENT COULD EXPOSE THE DRIVER TO THE RISK OF A CRASH. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP SUB-ASSEMBLY WITH AN UPDATED PART.? KIA HAS NEGLECTED TO RESOLVE FAULTY ISSUE. PLEASE ADVISE KIA TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION BY REPAIRING THE FAULTY FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10668584

87,289 miles · Jun 14, 2012

EquipmentExterior LightingVehicle Speed Control

Read full complaint

THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON MY 2008 KIA RONDO HAVE NOT BEEN WORKING CONSISTENTLY. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY SEVERAL INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE DRIVING BEHIND ME IN THE PAST FEW DAYS THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE "OUT". HOWEVER, THEY DID WORK WHEN I CHECKED AT ONE POINT AFTER THE WARNING AND THEN ANOTHER DRIVER TOLD ME THE SAME THING. I REPLACED THE LIGHTS AND NOW THEY DO NOT WORK AT ALL. I HAVE CHECKED THE FUSES AND THE FUSES HAVE NOT BLOWN. I HAVE SEEN A "RECALL" FOR AN EARLIER YEAR KIA. THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING TO MY KIA. MY KIA SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE "RECALL". THIS COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS CRASH. I HAVE NO IDEA IF THE LIGHTS WILL WORK OR NOT. RIGHT NOW, THEY DO NOT. KIA HAS TOO, TOO MANY PROBLEMS WITH ITS VEHICLES TO EVEN ARGUE AGAINST MY POINT. THIS IS FAR FROM THE ONLY DANGEROUS ISSUE THAT I HAVE WITH MY KIA. AT THIS POINT, I AM SIMPLY FED UP. I CALLED KIA MOTORS AND SPOKE TO A CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AND ASKED HOW TO MAKE A FORMAL COMPLAINT BECAUSE I RECEIVED TWO "VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN" NOTICES; ONE FOR THE AIR BAG AND ONE FOR THE REAR CROSS-MEMBER OF THE CAR. I AM FACING PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. THE OTHER ISSUES ARE SURGING OF THE CAR WITHOUT PRESSING ON THE GAS AND EVEN WHILE PRESSING ON THE BRAKE AND THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILING RIGHT AFTER THE WARRANTY ENDED. KIA NEEDS TO BE REPRIMANDED AND FORCED TO FIX THESE CARS. ADDITIONALLY, IT IS A SERIOUS CONFLICT OF INTEREST TO HAVE KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE EMPLOYEES RESPONSIBLE FOR SENDING NOTIFICATIONS OF PROBLEMS WITH KIA CARS TO THE NHSTA. WHO OVERSEES THAT THIS IS DONE HONESTLY BY THE CAR COMPANIES?

NHTSA ODI #10461793

65,100 miles · Oct 14, 2011

Exterior LightingVehicle Speed Control

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RONDO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STOMP LAMP SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED AND AND AS A RESULT, NONE OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION WOULD NOT DISENGAGE WHEN ACTIVATED AND THE ESC OFF WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE STOMP LAMP SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,200. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,100.

NHTSA ODI #10430226

Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 2009

Exterior Lighting

HEADLIGHTS SHINE AT A SHORT ANGLE DOWN TO THE ROAD WITH A DISTINCT HORIZON LINE CAUSING A VERY SHORT VISIBILITY DISTANCE FOR NIGHT DRIVING. THE ISSUE IS NOT AS BAD IN CITY DRIVING WHERE THERE IS AMBIENT LIGHT OR STREET LIGHTS, BUT IN THE COUNTRY, IT IS DANGEROUS WITH HILLS, CURVES, AND CREATURES OF THE NIGHT. DRIVING WITH LIGH…

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10278052

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.

08V459000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage

Sep 11, 2008

KIA IS RECALLING 6,680 MY 2008-2009 RONDO LX AND EX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.4 LITER ENGINE. THE FUEL PUMP MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY RESULTING IN NOT ENOUGH FUEL GETTING TO THE ENGINE. POOR ENGINE STARTING, ENGINE HESITATION, AND OTHER IMPAIRMENT MAY RESULT, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT MAY ILLUMINATE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: UNUSUALLY SEVERE IMPAIRMENT WHILE DRIVING COULD EXPOSE THE DRIVER TO THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP SUB-ASSEMBLY WITH AN IMPROVED PART. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 22, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA 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.