MY VEHICLE REVES UP HIGH WHEN I START IT AND WHEN I'M ON THE HIGHWAY IT WOULD JUST CUT OFF AND THERE'S GAS FUMES I SMELLINSIDE MY KIA, IT ALSO HESITATES WHILE DRIVING.
2008 Kia Rondo
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2008 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
84 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.
- 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.
Fuel/propulsion System complaints
16 reportsMY RONDO SPEEDS UP WHILE I'M DRIVING IT ON THE ROAD, AND IT SMELLS OF GAS INSIDE MY RONDO, IT RUNS HIGH WHEN I START IT AND THERE'S A HESITATION BEFORE IT DRIVES.
THERE IS A SMELL OF GAS FUMES PERIODICALLY IN THE INSIDE OF MY VEHICLE, I EVEN SMELL IT WHEN MY VEHICLE IS PARKED AND WHEN I START MY VEHICLE IT HESITATES TO START AND I HAVE TO RESTART IT OVER.
MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. WHEN I REFUEL MY VEHICLE IT HAS DIFFICULTY RESTARTING. OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST COUPLE MONTHS, IT HAS STARTED TO STALL. LOOKING AT FORUMS I FOUND QUITE A FEW PEOPLE WITH THE SAME "ISSUE" BUT NO SOLUTIONS. I HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE ON A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE AND IT COMES BACK WITH AN EVAP CODE. THE CODES …
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MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. WHEN I REFUEL MY VEHICLE IT HAS DIFFICULTY RESTARTING. OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST COUPLE MONTHS, IT HAS STARTED TO STALL. LOOKING AT FORUMS I FOUND QUITE A FEW PEOPLE WITH THE SAME "ISSUE" BUT NO SOLUTIONS. I HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE ON A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE AND IT COMES BACK WITH AN EVAP CODE. THE CODES HAVE BEEN CLEARED BUT COME RIGHT BACK ON. I SEE THE FUEL PUMP HAS BEEN RECALLED, I HAVE HAD MY CAR SINCE THE FALL OF 2009 AND TO MY KNOWLEDGE I HAVEN'T HAD THIS REPAIRED, BUT FOR SOME REASON THIS DOES NOT SHOW UP WHEN I DO THE RECALL SEARCH. HAS IT ALREADY BEEN REPAIRED PRIOR TO MY PURCHASING THE VEHICLE?
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RONDO. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED MOVING AND SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. A PASSERBY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP OR ALTERNATOR MAY HAVE FAILED. THE PASSERBY BANGED ON THE FUEL TANK A COUPLE OF TIMES AND THE VE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RONDO. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED MOVING AND SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. A PASSERBY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP OR ALTERNATOR MAY HAVE FAILED. THE PASSERBY BANGED ON THE FUEL TANK A COUPLE OF TIMES AND THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S HOME AND WAS THEN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE FAILURE ONLINE AND FOUND MANY UNKNOWN RECALLS ON OTHER VEHICLES. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER, BUT ALL LINES LED BACK TO ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SPEAK WITH A LIVE REPRESENTATIVE. THE CONTACT CALLED BILL DODGE KIA (3 SAUNDERS WAY, WESTBROOK, ME 04092, (207) 854-3200) AND THEY INITIALLY HUNG UP ON HER. THEY LATER STATED THAT THEIR WEBSITE WAS DOWN AND PROMISED A CALL BACK. THE CONTACT HAD NOT YET HEARD BACK FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
THE FUEL PUMP IS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY RESULTING IN NOT ENOUGH FUEL GETTING TO THE ENGINE. POOR ENGINE STARTING AND ENGINE HESITATION. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON BECAUSE OF THIS.
SMELLED GAS AND LOOKED UNDER CAR AND SAW GAS LEAKING FROM THE GAS TANK AREA. CAN NOT DRIVE CAR DUE TO GAS LEAK AND SAFETY ISSUE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RONDO. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REFUELED, IT HESITATED TO START AND STALLED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND OPERATED NORMALLY. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM ILLUMINATED ALTHOUGH THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS NORMAL. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RONDO. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REFUELED, IT HESITATED TO START AND STALLED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND OPERATED NORMALLY. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM ILLUMINATED ALTHOUGH THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS NORMAL. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RONDO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR HAD BEEN ILLUMINATED FOR TWO DAYS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE DE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RONDO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR HAD BEEN ILLUMINATED FOR TWO DAYS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE DECREASED TO APPROXIMATELY A QUARTER OF A TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.
WENT TO GET REAR TIRES PUT ON MY CAR AND THE MECHANIC NOTICED THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING ABOVE THE SUPPORT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK IS OVER 900 DOLLARS, ACCORDING TO THE DEALER. I KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM IN THE SAME AREA FOR RONDOS BECAUSE A KIA MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT HE JUST HAD ONE IN THAT HAD A LEAK IN THE S…
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WENT TO GET REAR TIRES PUT ON MY CAR AND THE MECHANIC NOTICED THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING ABOVE THE SUPPORT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK IS OVER 900 DOLLARS, ACCORDING TO THE DEALER. I KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM IN THE SAME AREA FOR RONDOS BECAUSE A KIA MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT HE JUST HAD ONE IN THAT HAD A LEAK IN THE SAME EXACT AREA. HAVE NOT HAD IT FIXED YET DUE TO THE EXPENSE, EVEN THOUGH ITS A SAFETY RISK. *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.
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
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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