NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
97 reports55,000 miles · Sep 30, 2015
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RONDO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY AT 40 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE DIAGNOSIS WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER A R…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RONDO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY AT 40 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE DIAGNOSIS WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER A RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
NHTSA ODI #10778633
65,000 miles · Aug 21, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE STARTING THE CAR, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATES. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES , LUCKY NO ONE HAS BEEN INJURED. ALSO SOMETIMES, THE VEHICLE STALLS, STEERING DOESNT MOVE, BRAKES ARE JAMMED. ONCE I SHUT THE CAR AND RESTART AGAIN, IT SOMETIME WORK NORMALLY.
NHTSA ODI #10750421
83,000 miles · Jun 14, 2015
Electrical SystemSteeringUnknown Or Other
EVERY TIME I WENT THROUGH A PUDDLE, THE PARKING BRAKE/BRAKE FLUID LIGHT AND THE CHARGING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT WOULD COME ON. IT ALSO LOST POWER STEERING WHILE THIS HAPPENED. IT LASTED FEW MOMENTS. THIS HAPPENED WITH EVERY PUDDLE AND EVEN ON THE FREEWAY WHEN WATER SPLASHED UNDERNEATH!!
NHTSA ODI #10725157
35,000 miles · Jun 3, 2015
Electrical SystemSteeringCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RONDO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE ABILITY TO STEER SEIZED. THE FAILURE RESULTED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE AP…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RONDO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE ABILITY TO STEER SEIZED. THE FAILURE RESULTED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
NHTSA ODI #10723203
58,658 miles · May 30, 2015
SuspensionWheels
COMING BACK FROM WISCONSIN THE LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING BUSTED AND SHREDDED THE INSIDE OF THE LEFT FRONT TIRE BLOWING IT OUT TRAVELING AT 65 MILES PER HOUR. I HAD SEEN ON THE INTERNET THAT HYUNDIES AND KIA WERE NOTED FOR THERE DEFECTIIVE FRONT COIL SPRING BREAKING AND CAUSING DAMAGE TO TIRES AND POSSIBLY WRECKS. I CALLED THE KIA D…
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COMING BACK FROM WISCONSIN THE LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING BUSTED AND SHREDDED THE INSIDE OF THE LEFT FRONT TIRE BLOWING IT OUT TRAVELING AT 65 MILES PER HOUR. I HAD SEEN ON THE INTERNET THAT HYUNDIES AND KIA WERE NOTED FOR THERE DEFECTIIVE FRONT COIL SPRING BREAKING AND CAUSING DAMAGE TO TIRES AND POSSIBLY WRECKS. I CALLED THE KIA DEALERSHIP IN QUINCY, ILLINOIS AND HE TOLD ME THE PARTS WERE NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR PARTS AND LABOR TO FIX MY VEHICLE. THIS HAS ALREADY COST ME $240.00 FOR 2 NEW FRONT TIRES ON MY VEHICLE. I FEEL THIS IS UNFAIR DUE TO THE FACT THAT POSSIBLY THESE FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE OF DEFECTIVE WEAK FOREIGN MATERIAL AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED FOR THE SAKE OF PEOPLES LIVES
NHTSA ODI #10722420
8,900 miles · Mar 18, 2015
Service BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrash
I WAS PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY WHEN I STARTED TO BACK UP TO STRAIGHTEN MYSELF UP SO THAT I COULD PULL STRAIGHT UP INTO THE DRIVEWAY. AND WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE PEDAL, THE PEDAL WAS STUCK CAUSING ME TO ACCELERATE AT ABOUT 60MPH. MY CAR WENT OVER A TREE STUMP RESULTING IN ME CRASHING INTO THE NEIGHBORS HOUSE. WHILE THIS WAS HA…
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I WAS PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY WHEN I STARTED TO BACK UP TO STRAIGHTEN MYSELF UP SO THAT I COULD PULL STRAIGHT UP INTO THE DRIVEWAY. AND WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE PEDAL, THE PEDAL WAS STUCK CAUSING ME TO ACCELERATE AT ABOUT 60MPH. MY CAR WENT OVER A TREE STUMP RESULTING IN ME CRASHING INTO THE NEIGHBORS HOUSE. WHILE THIS WAS HAPPENING, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT PROPERLY WORK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10695163
102,000 miles · Feb 3, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System
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
NHTSA ODI #10680822
90,000 miles · Jan 21, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System
FUEL PAN RUSTED OUT. VALVOLINE WOULD NOT SERVICE THE CAR UNTIL THE OIL PAN WAS REPLACED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10677016
100,000 miles · Jan 21, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System
IT TAKES 2 OR 3 ATTEMPTS TO START MY CAR AFTER GETTING GAS. RECENTLY, AFTER GETTING GAS, THE CAR STALLED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY MAIN ROAD GOING APPROX 40MPH. TODAY, THE CAR STALLED 2X WHILE DRIVING. EVERYTHING TURNED OFF, HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10677012
99,600 miles · Jan 5, 2015
EngineStructure
DURING AN INSPECTION OF THE UNDERCARRIAGE ON MY KIA, AN AUTO MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT MY OIL PAN HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND ENGINE OIL WAS SEEPING THROUGH THE METAL. THE COST OF PARTS AND LABOR FOR A REPLACEMENT IS APPROXIMATELY $250. THE SERVICE MANAGER OF THE AUTO REPAIR GARAGE STATED THAT IN HIS EXPERIENCE THIS WAS NOT AN UNCO…
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DURING AN INSPECTION OF THE UNDERCARRIAGE ON MY KIA, AN AUTO MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT MY OIL PAN HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND ENGINE OIL WAS SEEPING THROUGH THE METAL. THE COST OF PARTS AND LABOR FOR A REPLACEMENT IS APPROXIMATELY $250. THE SERVICE MANAGER OF THE AUTO REPAIR GARAGE STATED THAT IN HIS EXPERIENCE THIS WAS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM WITH SOME KIA AND HYUNDAI MODELS. IN MY OPINION, THIS IS A MAJOR MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THAT IS, THE METAL USED TO MANUFACTURE A CRITICAL PART ON THE ENGINE (MINE IS 2.4 LITER/4 CYLINDER) IS DEFECTIVE EITHER IN COMPOSITION OR GAUGE. I'VE OWNED VEHICLES FOR OVER 40 YEARS AND, PRIOR TO THIS, I'VE NEVER HEARD OF AN OIL PAN RUSTING THROUGH. AS BACKGROUND, I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW. I'M RETIRED AND I DO NOT DRIVE REGULARLY (NO COMMUTE). ALTHOUGH I LIVE IN MAINE WHERE ROAD SALT IS USED LIBERALLY ON ROADS, I HAVE AVOIDED DRIVING IN WINTER STORMS WHENEVER POSSIBLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10670090
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.
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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