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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 →

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.

14 crash reports0 fire reports10 injury reports

What owners actually said

97 reports
61,003 miles · Jan 30, 2014
EnginePower Train

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE ENGINE TIMING/ COMPUTER BEING IMPACTED INSTANCE HAPPEN JUNE 19, 2013 CAR FAILED NJ INSPECTION COST TO REPAIR $782.85. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10562250

64,753 miles · Jan 30, 2014
Engine

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON ASSOCIATED WITH CVVT ASSEMBLE/TIMING AND THE COMPUTER IN THE ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10562248

51,673 miles · Jan 27, 2014
Engine

2008 KIA RONDO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO GASKET/ OIL PAN PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED DURING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, HE WAS INFORMED THERE WAS A SMALL LEAK IN THE OIL PAN GASKET AND IT WOULD BE CORRECTED DURING THE NEXT SERVICE, SINCE THE OIL HAD ALREADY BEEN CHANGED. DURING THE SERVICE, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE OI…

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2008 KIA RONDO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO GASKET/ OIL PAN PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED DURING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, HE WAS INFORMED THERE WAS A SMALL LEAK IN THE OIL PAN GASKET AND IT WOULD BE CORRECTED DURING THE NEXT SERVICE, SINCE THE OIL HAD ALREADY BEEN CHANGED. DURING THE SERVICE, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE OIL PAN WAS POROUS AND BECAUSE THE CONSUMER WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER, IT WOULD NOT BE CORRECTED AND IT WAS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10561998

33,122 miles · Dec 12, 2013
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RONDO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RONDO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33,122.

NHTSA ODI #10555829

63,500 miles · Dec 9, 2013
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RONDO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A POWER CABLE UNIT. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT HAND. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RONDO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A POWER CABLE UNIT. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT HAND. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE ACCELERATION FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,500. UPDATED 01/09/14 UPDATED 03/05/14*LJ

NHTSA ODI #10555303

75,000 miles · Apr 29, 2013
Air BagsCrashInjury

I WAS BROADSIDED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AT A BUSY INTERSECTION. THE AIR BAG COVER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE POPPED OFF AND HIT ME (THE DRIVER) IN THE HEAD. THE AIR BAGS ON THE FRONT AND BACK PASSENGER'S SIDE FELL OUT BUT DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER'S SIDE DID NOT DEPLOY AT ALL. THE AIR BAGS WERE LESS THAN WORTHLESS, THEY WERE …

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I WAS BROADSIDED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AT A BUSY INTERSECTION. THE AIR BAG COVER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE POPPED OFF AND HIT ME (THE DRIVER) IN THE HEAD. THE AIR BAGS ON THE FRONT AND BACK PASSENGER'S SIDE FELL OUT BUT DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER'S SIDE DID NOT DEPLOY AT ALL. THE AIR BAGS WERE LESS THAN WORTHLESS, THEY WERE A DANGEROUS FLYING OBJECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10509939

65,464 miles · Feb 4, 2013
Air Bags

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR WHERE THE OTHER AIR BAG LIGHT CAR FLASHING. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE AIRBAG CENSOR IN THE SEAT TRACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. DUE TO THIS PROBLEM NONE OF MY AIR BAGS WORK. I AM CONCERNED SINCE THEY HAVE HAD ONE RECALL ON TH…

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WHILE DRIVING MY CAR THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR WHERE THE OTHER AIR BAG LIGHT CAR FLASHING. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE AIRBAG CENSOR IN THE SEAT TRACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. DUE TO THIS PROBLEM NONE OF MY AIR BAGS WORK. I AM CONCERNED SINCE THEY HAVE HAD ONE RECALL ON THEIR AIRBAGS THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD FURTHER BE CHECKED INTO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10496394

90,000 miles · Jan 16, 2013
Suspension

PART: SWAY BARS I HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING A CLANKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE CAR. I THOUGHT IT WAS THE SPARE TIRE LOOSE. HAD IT CHECKED IT WAS TIGHT. I THOUGHT IT WAS THE BAR UNDER THE HOOD, THE ARM THAT HOLDS THE HOOD UP. CHECKED IT AND IT WAS PROPERLY CLIPPED. I HAD THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED BY A PRIVATE MECHANIC AND I WAS INFO…

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PART: SWAY BARS I HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING A CLANKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE CAR. I THOUGHT IT WAS THE SPARE TIRE LOOSE. HAD IT CHECKED IT WAS TIGHT. I THOUGHT IT WAS THE BAR UNDER THE HOOD, THE ARM THAT HOLDS THE HOOD UP. CHECKED IT AND IT WAS PROPERLY CLIPPED. I HAD THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED BY A PRIVATE MECHANIC AND I WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS THE SWAY BARS. PRIVATE MECHANIC STATED IT IS NOT A SAFETY FEATURE, BUT HE RECOMMENDED TO FIX AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I HAD THE SWAY BARS REPLACED. I PAID ALMOST $200 TO HAVE THEM REPLACED DUE TO THE MECHANIC STATED IT WAS THE ROADS I TRAVELED THAT WERE CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE SUSPENSION. NOT EVEN A YEAR LATER I REQUIRE SWAY BARS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. IS THIS REALLY THE ROADS THAT ARE SO BAD THAT SWAY BARS ARE REPLACED YEARLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10493228

70,000 miles · Jan 16, 2013
Engine

I WAS AT A RED LIGHT AND THE CAR WAS STARTED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK VIOLENTLY WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. I DID MENTION THIS ISSUE WHEN I HAD THE NEXT OIL CHANGE AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE TO MY KNOWLED…

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I WAS AT A RED LIGHT AND THE CAR WAS STARTED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK VIOLENTLY WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. I DID MENTION THIS ISSUE WHEN I HAD THE NEXT OIL CHANGE AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE TO MY KNOWLEDGE. NO OFFER OR ANY ASSISTANCE WAS REFERRED BY THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE MILEAGE AT THE TIME WAS ABOUT 70,000. THIS INCIDENT HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT I AM MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THE SPUTTERING NOISE AND A HESITATION WHILE STARTING VEHICLE AFTER REFUELING. THIS COULD ALSO PUT YOU IN DANGER OF BEING STRUCK FROM ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THESE OCCURRENCES ARE WORSE, WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING IS ON. THESE OCCURRENCES OF REVVING IDLE SPEED, UNEXPECTEDLY, MAY OCCUR ONLY ONCE IN TWO MONTHS OR THEY MAY OCCUR TWO OR THREE TIMES IN ONE WEEK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10493225

Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2013
Equipment

EQUIPMENT: AIR CONDITIONER AS WARM WEATHER IN MARYLAND ENDED (2011) I NOTICED THE AIR NOT BEING COOL. LAST YEAR (2012) WHEN IT BECAME HOT ENOUGH TO TURN ON THE AIR CONDITIONER I RECEIVED NOTHING BUT HOT AIR. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO HAVE DIAGNOSIS, BUT I WAS TOLD BY SEVERAL PRIVATE MECHANICS THAT THE COMPRESSOR HAD FREON AND I SHOU…

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EQUIPMENT: AIR CONDITIONER AS WARM WEATHER IN MARYLAND ENDED (2011) I NOTICED THE AIR NOT BEING COOL. LAST YEAR (2012) WHEN IT BECAME HOT ENOUGH TO TURN ON THE AIR CONDITIONER I RECEIVED NOTHING BUT HOT AIR. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO HAVE DIAGNOSIS, BUT I WAS TOLD BY SEVERAL PRIVATE MECHANICS THAT THE COMPRESSOR HAD FREON AND I SHOULD CHECK WITH THE DEALER BECAUSE IF I ADD FREON I COULD DAMAGE THE COMPRESSOR. FREON WAS NOT ADDED. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND I WAS INFORMED I WOULD BE CHARGED $100.00 FOR DIAGNOSIS. THAT'S WHEN I CHECKED THE INTERNET TO SEE SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THE VERDICT BEING THE COMPRESSOR WAS NOT WORKING. WHY WOULD THERE BEEN A COMPRESSOR THAT GOES OUT IN A 2008 KIA RONDO IN 2011. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10493216

Official recalls

3

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

1

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.