NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
10 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Jan 1, 2023
Electrical SystemForward Collision AvoidanceService Brakes
I had to replace the tires on this car several times in 3 years. They alarm had a glitch that the car would not start and you had to take it specifically to a Kia dealer to have they alarm reprogrammed. Even upon repairs to your local mechanic. Costing them more money and me more money because they could not get in the car by pa…
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I had to replace the tires on this car several times in 3 years. They alarm had a glitch that the car would not start and you had to take it specifically to a Kia dealer to have they alarm reprogrammed. Even upon repairs to your local mechanic. Costing them more money and me more money because they could not get in the car by pass they alarm without using kia first to reprogram it. The brakes locked up. The lights woukd go off for airbag and stay on. The anti lick brake light would stay on .. Very dangerous. I had to spend more money to because of they alarm. Even just replacing the battery in the alarm remote cost more money for the remote and the programming of the remote . You could not just replace the battery. The tires and brakes gave me several issues in 3 years To the tube of close 3000. And that's being fair.
NHTSA ODI #11499666
Mileage unknown · Jun 14, 2017
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
HEAD LAMPS, FOG LAMPS, AND BLINKERS WON'T TURN ON. WE CHANGED THE BULBS THINKING THEY HAD BLOWN. THE LIGHTS WOULDN'T COME ON WHEN CAR WAS RESTARTED.
NHTSA ODI #10995147
Mileage unknown · Nov 25, 2016
Electrical System
WHEN DRIVING THE CARE IN WET CONDITIONS, CAR EITHER LOOSES POWER OR DIES WHEN RIGHT FRONT WHEEL HITS A WATER PUDDLE. EVEN SMALL PUDDLES CAUSE CAR TO LOOSE POWER. PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE THAT WATER GETS ON THE BELT VERY EASILY. HAVING THE BELTS TENSIONERS TIGHTENED HELPS SOME, BUT DOES NOT ELIMINATE THE PROBLEM. I LIVE IN OREG…
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WHEN DRIVING THE CARE IN WET CONDITIONS, CAR EITHER LOOSES POWER OR DIES WHEN RIGHT FRONT WHEEL HITS A WATER PUDDLE. EVEN SMALL PUDDLES CAUSE CAR TO LOOSE POWER. PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE THAT WATER GETS ON THE BELT VERY EASILY. HAVING THE BELTS TENSIONERS TIGHTENED HELPS SOME, BUT DOES NOT ELIMINATE THE PROBLEM. I LIVE IN OREGON AND THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS QUITE FREQUENTLY. 2009 KIA RONDO LX WITH 4 CYLINDER ENGINE. EITHER ROAD, HIGHWAY OR BACK ROADS, WATER PUDDLES RESULT IN PROBLEMS. NOTE: THIS IS NOT DRIVING THROUGH HIGH WATER ERRORS, EVEN 1 TO 2 INCH PUDDLES WILL DO IT. CONTINUOUS PROBLEM OVER THE 5 YEARS WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR. ALSO SPEED DOES NOT SEEM TO BE MUCH OF AN INFLUENCE.
NHTSA ODI #10927818
79,576 miles · Nov 18, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine
THE ENGINE FAN KEEPS RUNNING WHEN THE CAR IGNITION IS TURNED OFF. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY AND WHEN IT DOES HAPPEN, IT DRAINS THE BATTERY.
NHTSA ODI #10794772
Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2015
Electrical SystemSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA RONDO. WHENEVER THE VEHICLE DRIVES THROUGH WATER AND HAS A SPLASH, THE BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATES AND THE POWER STEERING FAILS FOR A FEW MINUTES. INITIALLY, THE CONTACT THOUGHT THE FAILURES WERE CAUSED BY HEAVY RAIN AND LARGE BODIES OF WATER; HOWEVER, THEY OCCURRED ANY TIME THE VEHICLE WENT THROUGH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA RONDO. WHENEVER THE VEHICLE DRIVES THROUGH WATER AND HAS A SPLASH, THE BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATES AND THE POWER STEERING FAILS FOR A FEW MINUTES. INITIALLY, THE CONTACT THOUGHT THE FAILURES WERE CAUSED BY HEAVY RAIN AND LARGE BODIES OF WATER; HOWEVER, THEY OCCURRED ANY TIME THE VEHICLE WENT THROUGH WATER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10705618
95,000 miles · Mar 6, 2015
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering
WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THROUGH A PUDDLE, THE CAR LOST ALL ABILITY TO STEER. POWER FELT AS IF IT SHUT OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 MINUTE. NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. CAN YOU PLEASE INVESTIGATE OR DO RECALL FOR WHATEVER PARTS NEED TO BE REPLACED??? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10692564
83,000 miles · Nov 16, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineSteering
WHEN I AM DRIVING AND I HIT WATER OR SLUSH ON THE ROAD WAY AT TIMES MY CAR WILL LOSS ALL POWER STEERING AND BREAKING AND THE LIGHTS FOR THE BATTERY AND OTHER SYSTEMS LIGHTS COME ON. IT SOMETIMES LAST FOR 10 SECOND TO 20 SECONDS. THIS CAUSE MY CAR TO BE UNSAFE FOR DRIVING BECAUSE ALL AT ONE TIME YOU LOSE SO MUCH CONTROL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10655294
92,000 miles · Jun 21, 2014
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteering
2009 KIA RONDO HAS POWER STEERING AND ALTERNATOR FAILURE DURING RAIN STORMS. THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY LOSES POWER STEERING, THE BRAKE AND BATTERY LIGHTS APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD, AND CAR SOMETIMES SHUTS OFF. THE CAR WILL RESTART, BUT MAKES A HIGH-PITCHED SCREECHING NOISE TEMPORARILY. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN MOSTLY WHEN THE CAR IS TURNIN…
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2009 KIA RONDO HAS POWER STEERING AND ALTERNATOR FAILURE DURING RAIN STORMS. THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY LOSES POWER STEERING, THE BRAKE AND BATTERY LIGHTS APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD, AND CAR SOMETIMES SHUTS OFF. THE CAR WILL RESTART, BUT MAKES A HIGH-PITCHED SCREECHING NOISE TEMPORARILY. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN MOSTLY WHEN THE CAR IS TURNING. I HAVE NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT YET, BUT IT WORRIES ME TO DRIVE IT IN THE RAIN (IT EVEN DOES IT SOMETIMES WHEN DRIVING THROUGH A PUDDLE). I'VE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ON DIFFERENT FORUMS, INCLUDING KIA.COM FORUMS. A COUPLE LINKS ARE LISTED BELOW: WWW.ARFC.ORG/COMPLAINTS/2009/KIA/RONDO/ HTTP://WWW.KIA-FORUMS.COM/KIA-CARENS-RONDO-FORUM/82332-POWER-STEERING-FAILURE-WET-CONDITIONS-KIA.HTML IT IS SURPRISING THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL OF ANY TYPE ON THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10604973
Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 2014
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
WHEN KEY IS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH, INDICATES THAT THE KEY IS STILL ON. HAVE TO RESTART AND REMOVE THE KEY TO DISABLE THEM. NAVIGATION UNIT FREEZES. HAVE TO EJECT THE CD AND CLOSE THEM TO ENABLE USE THE NAVIGATION UNIT TOOK THE VEHICLE 3 OR 4 TIMES, DEALER RESPONDING BACK THAT THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE THE ISS…
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WHEN KEY IS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH, INDICATES THAT THE KEY IS STILL ON. HAVE TO RESTART AND REMOVE THE KEY TO DISABLE THEM. NAVIGATION UNIT FREEZES. HAVE TO EJECT THE CD AND CLOSE THEM TO ENABLE USE THE NAVIGATION UNIT TOOK THE VEHICLE 3 OR 4 TIMES, DEALER RESPONDING BACK THAT THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #10583242
Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 2009
Electrical System
WATER/MUD GETS INTO ENGINE COMPARTMENT DURING HEAVY RAIN. A DAY AFTER DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN, I OPENED THE HOOD, AND THE RIGHT (PASSENGER) SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS COVERED WITH A LAYER OF MUD. THIS INCLUDED THE ENGINE, WIRING, AND MOST ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. I HAVE NEVER, IN 37 YEARS AND NEARLY ONE MILLION MILES OF D…
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WATER/MUD GETS INTO ENGINE COMPARTMENT DURING HEAVY RAIN. A DAY AFTER DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN, I OPENED THE HOOD, AND THE RIGHT (PASSENGER) SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS COVERED WITH A LAYER OF MUD. THIS INCLUDED THE ENGINE, WIRING, AND MOST ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. I HAVE NEVER, IN 37 YEARS AND NEARLY ONE MILLION MILES OF DRIVING, HAD THIS SORT OF INTRUSION INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF ANY VEHICLE I HAVE OWNED. OUR FEAR IS NOT ONLY THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ELECTRICAL FIRE, BUT OF THE SLOW FAILURE OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS, CAUSING SERIOUS PROBLEMS, INCLUDING FIRE, IN THE FUTURE. THE KIA DEALERSHIP TOLD ME TO TALK TO THE FACTORY REP, WHICH I DID ON OR ABOUT 7/30/09. THE REPS REPLY WAS A STANDARD 'DON'T WORRY ABOUT'. HE SAID ALL SHIELDS WHERE IN PLACE, AND HE WOULD HAVE THE SERVICE DEPT CLEAN IT UP FOR ME AND APPLY A HEAVY COAT OF SILICONE SPRAY TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I SEE THIS AS A BAND-AID TO A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS FIRE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10289397
Official recalls
2Apr 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.
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.