NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
72 reports10,000 miles · Mar 29, 2017
Air Bags
MY AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ON AND I HAVE NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENT AND I AM TAKING IT TO TO THE DEALER. WHY IT SHOULD GO ON I DON'T KNOW. THERE HAS BEEN NO REASON FOR THIS ISSUE TO TAKE PLACE. IT ALL HAPPENED YESTERDAY, I PUT MY SEAT BELT ON AND STARTED MY CAR AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT KEPT GO ON AND OFF AND NOW IS STAYING ON WHEN THE …
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MY AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ON AND I HAVE NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENT AND I AM TAKING IT TO TO THE DEALER. WHY IT SHOULD GO ON I DON'T KNOW. THERE HAS BEEN NO REASON FOR THIS ISSUE TO TAKE PLACE. IT ALL HAPPENED YESTERDAY, I PUT MY SEAT BELT ON AND STARTED MY CAR AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT KEPT GO ON AND OFF AND NOW IS STAYING ON WHEN THE CAR IS IN DRIVE.
NHTSA ODI #10969278
123,430 miles · Mar 17, 2017
EngineFuel/propulsion System
DRIVING 65 MPH ON FREEWAY SUDDENLY LOSES COMPRESSION TO ZERO MPH
NHTSA ODI #10966437
103,000 miles · Mar 10, 2017
Air Bags
JUST LIKE THE RECALL OF 07-08 RONDO MODELS MY AIR BAG LIGHT HAS COME ON AND FAILS TO RESET. I BELIEVE THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED. LIGHT CAME ON WHILE CAR WAS STATIONARY AND STARTED FOR A TRIP TO THE STORE.NO PHOTO THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON EACH TIME THE CAR IS STARTED. THERE IS NO AIRBAG ERROR CODE STORED IN THE COMPUTER.
NHTSA ODI #10959925
93,000 miles · Feb 27, 2017
Steering
MULTIPLE TIMES DURING HEAVY RAIN MY CAR WOULD LOOSE POWER STEERING. THE BATTERY AND EMERGENCY BREAK LIGHTS WOULD COME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR (EL CAJON, CA) AND THEY SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE. THIS TYPICALLY HAPPENED WHEN TURNING OR DRIVING THROUGH LARGE PUDDLES. STEERING SHAFT WOULD LOCK UP AND …
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MULTIPLE TIMES DURING HEAVY RAIN MY CAR WOULD LOOSE POWER STEERING. THE BATTERY AND EMERGENCY BREAK LIGHTS WOULD COME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR (EL CAJON, CA) AND THEY SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE. THIS TYPICALLY HAPPENED WHEN TURNING OR DRIVING THROUGH LARGE PUDDLES. STEERING SHAFT WOULD LOCK UP AND ON OCCASION A HIGH PITCHED SQUEALING SOUND COULD BE HEARD. VERY UNSAFE AND VERY SCARY!
NHTSA ODI #10957452
125,000 miles · Jan 9, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes
COMPLAINT: I'VE HAD MY CAR A LITTLE UNDER 2 YEARS, AND I CONTINUOUSLY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES AND STEERING. I'VE GOTTEN MY BRAKES FIXED AT LEAST 4-5 TIMES SINCE I HAD THE VEHICLE. IT DOES NOT DRIVE OR BRAKE CORRECTLY WHEN COLD BUT MOSTLY WHEN IT'S RAINING OR WET OUTSIDE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I'M AFRAI…
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COMPLAINT: I'VE HAD MY CAR A LITTLE UNDER 2 YEARS, AND I CONTINUOUSLY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES AND STEERING. I'VE GOTTEN MY BRAKES FIXED AT LEAST 4-5 TIMES SINCE I HAD THE VEHICLE. IT DOES NOT DRIVE OR BRAKE CORRECTLY WHEN COLD BUT MOSTLY WHEN IT'S RAINING OR WET OUTSIDE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I'M AFRAID OF MY OWN VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING IN RAIN, PUDDLES, ETC. BECAUSE IT DOESN'T STOP WITH URGENCY OR STAY IN CONTROL WHEN I GO OVER EVEN SMALL PUDDLES. ( I DON'T HAVE AN EXACT DATE, I JUST KNOW IT'S HAPPENED MULTIPLEEEE TIMES WHILE DRIVING) *TR
NHTSA ODI #10943996
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
115,000 miles · Oct 5, 2016
Seat Belts
THE 3RD ROW SEAT BELT BUCKLES (BOTH OF THEM) HAVE BROKEN/FELL APART AND ARE NO LONGER USABLE. THE SEAT BELTS ARE NOT ABLE TO BE CLICKED/LOCKED AND CREATE AN UNSAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE. I NOTICED THEY BOTH BROKE WHEN I WENT TO BUCKLE IN MY KIDS. THE MIDDLE SEAT BELT IN THE 2ND ROW ALSO HAS LOCKED UP AND…
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THE 3RD ROW SEAT BELT BUCKLES (BOTH OF THEM) HAVE BROKEN/FELL APART AND ARE NO LONGER USABLE. THE SEAT BELTS ARE NOT ABLE TO BE CLICKED/LOCKED AND CREATE AN UNSAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE. I NOTICED THEY BOTH BROKE WHEN I WENT TO BUCKLE IN MY KIDS. THE MIDDLE SEAT BELT IN THE 2ND ROW ALSO HAS LOCKED UP AND RETRACTED AND WILL NOT UNLOCK/RELEASE AND IS UNABLE TO BE USED. IF SOMEONE WAS BUCKLED IN THAT POSITION, THE SEAT BELT WOULD HAVE TO BE CUT OFF TO BE REMOVED FROM THE PERSON. IT WOULD PREVENT REMOVAL OF OCCUPANT IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY. I NOTICED THAT THE SEAT BELT WILL NOT RELEASE WHEN I WAS CLEANING MY VEHICLE. I CONTACTED KIA MOTORS AMERICA VIA SOCIAL MEDIA AND AN AGENT OF KIA CONTACTED ME BACK AND SAID THAT I COULD TAKE IT TO A KIA SHOP AND HAVE THEM CHECK THEM OUT AND IF I WANTED TO, PRICE OUT THE REPLACEMENT BUCKLES AND SEAT BELT AND REPLACE THEM MYSELF BUT JUST MAKE SURE TO USE OEM KIA PARTS. OFFERED NO REAL SOLUTION ON KIA'S BEHALF. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10914141
115,000 miles · Sep 5, 2016
Steering
2009 KIA RONDO - 115,000 MILES. FOR THE PAST 2-3 MONTHS, THE STEERING LOCKS UP WHEN I GO THROUGH RAIN PUDDLES, FIRST MAKING A LOUD NOISE UNDERNEATH, THEN LOOSING POWER. TWO LIGHTS APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD. I HAVE FOUND IF I TURN OFF THE AIR CONDITIONER, THE PROBLEM CORRECTS ITSELF. THIS HAS TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE AIR CONDI…
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2009 KIA RONDO - 115,000 MILES. FOR THE PAST 2-3 MONTHS, THE STEERING LOCKS UP WHEN I GO THROUGH RAIN PUDDLES, FIRST MAKING A LOUD NOISE UNDERNEATH, THEN LOOSING POWER. TWO LIGHTS APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD. I HAVE FOUND IF I TURN OFF THE AIR CONDITIONER, THE PROBLEM CORRECTS ITSELF. THIS HAS TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER OR AIR COMPRESSOR. WE JUST WENT THROUGH TROPICAL STORM HERMINE AND THIS WAS A CONSTANT PROBLEM. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BY THE DEALER - SUCH AS A RECALL TO GET THIS FIXED BEFORE THE CAR CRASHES AND I HAVE NO CONTROL.
NHTSA ODI #10903669
Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System
THE GAS IS BEING SUCKED DOWN SO FAST THAT I'M ONLY GETTING 6 MILES TO A HALF A TANK OF GAS. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR AND YET KIA SAYS THEY ARE UNAWARE OF ANY PROBLEMS RELATED TO THIS MODEL OR YEAR. THE MECHANICS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10897799
87,000 miles · Feb 6, 2016
Air BagsSteering
SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR AT THE KIA DEALERSHIP IN NC - IT WAS RAINING AND I DROVER OVER A PUDDLE OF WATER, I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN IN THE PROCESS AND ALL LIGHTS TURNED ON ON DASH - IT SLOWED MY CAR DOWN ALMOST TURNED OFF. AIRBAG LIGHT TURNED ON (STILL ON). CAR TURNED BACK ON BUT EVERYTIME IT RAINS - I AM AFRAID BECAUSE MY CA…
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SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR AT THE KIA DEALERSHIP IN NC - IT WAS RAINING AND I DROVER OVER A PUDDLE OF WATER, I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN IN THE PROCESS AND ALL LIGHTS TURNED ON ON DASH - IT SLOWED MY CAR DOWN ALMOST TURNED OFF. AIRBAG LIGHT TURNED ON (STILL ON). CAR TURNED BACK ON BUT EVERYTIME IT RAINS - I AM AFRAID BECAUSE MY CAR STALLS AND IT STOPS DEPENDING ON THE AMOUNT OF WATER. THIS IS DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY IF I AM ON THE HIGHWAY. I CALLED THE KIA SHOP AND THEY FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR AND I HAVE TO PAY TO GET THE AIRBAG LIGHT FIXED. I DON'T THINK I SHOULD PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT I DID NOT BREAK. SINCE I HAVE HAD MY CAR - IT HAS DONE THE ABOVE AT LEAST 4 TIMES AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS STILL ON.
NHTSA ODI #10824658
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.