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2009 Kia Rondo

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2009 Kia Rondo do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 72.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

55 reports with mileage · 17 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.

  • Steering. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports

Steering complaints

31 reports
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30,000 miles · Jul 24, 2015
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA RONDO. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH THROUGH A PUDDLE OF WATER, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS A RECURRING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING BELT FAILE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA RONDO. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH THROUGH A PUDDLE OF WATER, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS A RECURRING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING BELT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA ODI #10743308

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

Mileage unknown · Dec 31, 2014
Steering

WHEN CONDITIONS ARE WET, POWER STEERING FREEZES UP. DANGEROUS. TOOK TO DEALER, EVERYTHING IS FINE, BUT IT IS STILL DOING IT. WHAT IS THE RESOLUTION? THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10669224

Mileage unknown · Nov 23, 2014
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteering

EVERY TIME I WENT THROUGH A PUDDLE TODAY 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 ONLY A FEW MOMENTS BUT WITH TRAFFIC AND KIDS IN THE BACK, A FEW MOMENTS IS LONG ENOUGH. THIS HAPPENED WITH EVERY PUDDLE AND EVEN ON THE FR…

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EVERY TIME I WENT THROUGH A PUDDLE TODAY 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 ONLY A FEW MOMENTS BUT WITH TRAFFIC AND KIDS IN THE BACK, A FEW MOMENTS IS LONG ENOUGH. THIS HAPPENED WITH EVERY PUDDLE AND EVEN ON THE FREEWAY WHEN WATER SPLASHED UNDERNEATH!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10660370

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

120,000 miles · May 29, 2014
Service BrakesSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA RONDO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH DURING INCLEMENT CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING AND THE BRAKES FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA RONDO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH DURING INCLEMENT CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING AND THE BRAKES FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10594789

84,000 miles · Apr 14, 2014
Steering

EVERYTIME IT RAINS OR I GO OVER A PUDDLE MY POWER STEERING LOCKS UP ON ME AND I CANT MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. I HAVE READ SO MANY STORIES OF THIS HAPPENING TO OTHER RONDOS LIKE MINE.. WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN RECALLED YET??? I ALMOST GET IN A WRECK EVERYTIME IT RAINS!! THIS IS ABSOLUTELY CRAZY THAT IT HAS NOT HAD A RECALL YET!!!! …

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EVERYTIME IT RAINS OR I GO OVER A PUDDLE MY POWER STEERING LOCKS UP ON ME AND I CANT MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. I HAVE READ SO MANY STORIES OF THIS HAPPENING TO OTHER RONDOS LIKE MINE.. WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN RECALLED YET??? I ALMOST GET IN A WRECK EVERYTIME IT RAINS!! THIS IS ABSOLUTELY CRAZY THAT IT HAS NOT HAD A RECALL YET!!!! *JS

NHTSA ODI #10579732

50,000 miles · Jul 3, 2013
SteeringCrash

THIS STARTED ON 10/2012, AND HAS BEEN HAPPENING WHENEVER I TRIED TO DRIVE IN RAIN SINCE. IVE HAD TO WAIT TO TRY TO SEE WHAT IS WRONG BECAUSE I COULDNT AFFORD TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT . IT WAS RAINING OUTSIDE AND I LEFT MY HOME TO GO TO THE STORE AND WENT TO TURN THE CORNER AND THERE WAS A VERY LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND THE STEERI…

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THIS STARTED ON 10/2012, AND HAS BEEN HAPPENING WHENEVER I TRIED TO DRIVE IN RAIN SINCE. IVE HAD TO WAIT TO TRY TO SEE WHAT IS WRONG BECAUSE I COULDNT AFFORD TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT . IT WAS RAINING OUTSIDE AND I LEFT MY HOME TO GO TO THE STORE AND WENT TO TURN THE CORNER AND THERE WAS A VERY LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND THE STEERING WHEEL FROZE, JUST COMPLETELY SEIZED ON ME AND I DROVE RIGHT INTO THE CURB OPPOSITE THE ROAD. I HAD A CHILD IN THE CAR WITH ME AND IT WAS TERRIFYING! NOW, I CANNOT DRIVE AT ALL IN THE RAIN OR EVEN IF THERE'S PUDDLES ON THE ROAD! I SEE THAT THERE'S OTHERS THAT HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE, EVEN SOME HAVING WRECKS ON THE FREEWAY! WHY ISNT THIS A RECALL ISSUE!? IT IS HURRICANE SEASON HERE, AND ITS BEEN NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALER WITH ALL THE RAIN EVERY DAY, NOR DO THEY ALLOW YOU TO JUST DROP OFF YOUR CAR AND LEAVE IT UNLESS ITS TOWED IN WHICH I CANNOT DO. I AM TERRIFIED TO DRIVE MY OWN CAR AND DONT HAVE A LOT OF MONEY TO FIX IT SINCE IM ON DISABILITY. PLEASE HELP *TR

NHTSA ODI #10523067

Official recalls

2

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.

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.