IllustrationWARNING LIGHT ON ESC SYSTEM WILL SHOWS ESC IS OFF AND CONTINUE TO STAY ON, STRANGE BRAKING HABITS.WHEN APPLIED. INHERENT AS LEARNED WITH ALL KIA'S OF THIS MODEL AND YEAR
2007 Kia Rondo
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2007 Kia Rondo do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 72.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Rondo years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
190–25K
1825–50K
2050–75K
2275–100K
21100–150K
4150K+
104 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.
- Engine. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
13 crash reports2 fire reports6 injury reports
Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints
14 reportsESC ERROR LIGHT ON DASHBOARD AND SIMULTANEOUS ANTI-LOCK BRAKE NOISE WHEN IN MOTION. MILEAGE ON CAR 28,390 ORIGINAL MILES. TOWED VEHICLE TO DEALER. KIA RELATED RECALL SC077 FROM 2009 & SC098 FROM 2013. DIAGNOSIS FAULTY BRAKE SWITCH. SWITCH WAS REPLACED UNDER FIRST RECALL IN 2009 WITH ANOTHER FAULTY SWITCH. KIA REFUSES TO HONO…
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ESC ERROR LIGHT ON DASHBOARD AND SIMULTANEOUS ANTI-LOCK BRAKE NOISE WHEN IN MOTION. MILEAGE ON CAR 28,390 ORIGINAL MILES. TOWED VEHICLE TO DEALER. KIA RELATED RECALL SC077 FROM 2009 & SC098 FROM 2013. DIAGNOSIS FAULTY BRAKE SWITCH. SWITCH WAS REPLACED UNDER FIRST RECALL IN 2009 WITH ANOTHER FAULTY SWITCH. KIA REFUSES TO HONOR SECOND RECALL TO REPLACE FAULTY SWITCH.
BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED AND ESC LIGHT WILL NOT TURN OFF.
VEHICLE HAD THE STOP LAMP SWITCH REPLACED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN 09V130000 (KIA RECALL SC077) IN JUNE 2009. ON 4/6/14 THE REPLACEMENT STOP LAMP SWITCH FAILED CAUSING THE ESC MALFUNCTION LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO FAIL TO ILLUMINATE, AND BRAKE-TRANSMISSION INTERLOCK TO PREVENT THE TRANSMISSION FROM BEING EITHER SHIFT…
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VEHICLE HAD THE STOP LAMP SWITCH REPLACED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN 09V130000 (KIA RECALL SC077) IN JUNE 2009. ON 4/6/14 THE REPLACEMENT STOP LAMP SWITCH FAILED CAUSING THE ESC MALFUNCTION LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO FAIL TO ILLUMINATE, AND BRAKE-TRANSMISSION INTERLOCK TO PREVENT THE TRANSMISSION FROM BEING EITHER SHIFTED FROM N TO R OR FROM P TO R WITHOUT USING THE SHIFT LOCK RELEASE TAB. I HAD JUST BACKED OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AT ONE STORE WITH NO PROBLEMS, CROSSED THE STREET, AND ATTEMPTED TO PARK AT ANOTHER STORE WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF DRIVE. HAD TO USE SHIFT LOCK RELEASE TO GET VEHICLE HOME AND TO DEALER ON 4/7/14. DEALER CONFIRMED FAILURE OF THE REPLACEMENT SWITCH, CHARGED ME $69.02 IN PARTS AND LABOR TO REPLACE IT. SINCE KIA EXPANDED THE RECALL IN APRIL 2013 TO COVER ALL REMAINING RONDO'S, I FEEL THAT KIA SHOULD HAVE REPLACED THE SWITCH UNDER WARRANTY AS THIS INDICATES A LINGERING PROBLEM WITH THE SWITCHES ACROSS VARIOUS MODEL YEARS AND OTHER KIA AND HYUNDAI MODELS. I ALSO FEEL THAT NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE FAILURE RATES OF THE SWITCHES REPLACED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN 09V130000 (KIA RECALL SC077) BECAUSE KIA APPARENTLY HAS NOT MADE SATISFACTORY PROGRESS IN RESOLVING THIS SAFETY ISSUE GIVEN THE FAILURE OF THE UNIT PLACED IN MY VEHICLE. *TR
DURING STATE OF NY VEHICLE INSPECTION IT WAS NOTED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY AND ABS SYSTEMS WERE NON FUNCTIONAL. AMBER SYMBOLS WERE ON AT TIME OF INSPECTION. DEALER REPORTS ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL AND ABS FEATURES ARE NO LONGER FUNCTIONING. REASON GIVEN: COMPUTER CONTROLLED SENDING UNIT LOCATED IN WHEEL WELL AND ITS WI…
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DURING STATE OF NY VEHICLE INSPECTION IT WAS NOTED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY AND ABS SYSTEMS WERE NON FUNCTIONAL. AMBER SYMBOLS WERE ON AT TIME OF INSPECTION. DEALER REPORTS ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL AND ABS FEATURES ARE NO LONGER FUNCTIONING. REASON GIVEN: COMPUTER CONTROLLED SENDING UNIT LOCATED IN WHEEL WELL AND ITS WIRES ARE CORRODED. CORROSION IS PER DEALER COMMON WITH THIS UNIT AND MODEL. PARTS HAVE BEEN ORDERED. HOWEVER AT PRESENT ABS/ESC NO LONGER WORK. THE CAR IS NOW LESS SAFE WITHOUT THESE FUNCTIONAL DEVICES. YOUR INPUT IS NEEDED IN THIS. THANK YOU *TR
STARTED CAR, ABS LIGHT AND ESC LIGHT STAY ILLUMINATED. BOTH LIGHTS WILL INTTERMITTENLY COME ON. THEY WILL STAY ON FOR RANDOM AMOUNTS OF TIME. *TR
I WAS DRIVING MY 2007 KIA RONDO AT HIGHWAY SPEED WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON WHEN THE ENGINE SPEED REVVED UP DRAMATICALLY-AS IF THE TRANSMISSION HAD DISENGAGED. STEPPED ON THE BRAKES, CRUISE DISENGAGED AND ENGINE SLOWED. AROUND THE SAME TIME, NOTICED THE ABS AND ESC OFF LIGHTS WOULD COME ON INTERMITTENTLY, STAY ON, THEN NOT COME…
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I WAS DRIVING MY 2007 KIA RONDO AT HIGHWAY SPEED WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON WHEN THE ENGINE SPEED REVVED UP DRAMATICALLY-AS IF THE TRANSMISSION HAD DISENGAGED. STEPPED ON THE BRAKES, CRUISE DISENGAGED AND ENGINE SLOWED. AROUND THE SAME TIME, NOTICED THE ABS AND ESC OFF LIGHTS WOULD COME ON INTERMITTENTLY, STAY ON, THEN NOT COME ON. AT SLOW SPEED TURNS AFTER THE CAR SET FOR A WHILE, THE ABS WOULD ENGAGE ON DRY PAVEMENT (WITHOUT LIGHT) AND CAR DID NOT SLOW NORMALLY. WENT TO DEALER, WHO SAID THE ISSUE WAS A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, WHICH WAS REPLACED AND VEHICLE TAKEN FOR A TEST DRIVE. WHEN I PICKED THE CAR UP, BOTH THE ABS AND ESC OFF LIGHTS WERE OFF, BUT CAME ON WITHIN MINUTES OF LEAVING THE LOT. LATER THAT NIGHT, ABS STARTED ACTING UP AGAIN-ONCE WITHOUT EVEN STEPPING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. TAKING THE CAR BACK TO DEALER TOMORROW TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON. ONLY LEARNED OF STOP LIGHT SWITCH RECALL BY WEB SEARCH. *TR
I HAVE A 2007 KIA RONDO WITH A DEFECTIVE STOP LAMP SWITCH WHICH CAUSES THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL MALFUNCTION LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL DOES NOT CONSISTENTLY DEACTIVATE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN IT IS DEPRESSED. THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL DONE ON THIS PART, HOWEVER MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED LESS THAN ONE MONTH AF…
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I HAVE A 2007 KIA RONDO WITH A DEFECTIVE STOP LAMP SWITCH WHICH CAUSES THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL MALFUNCTION LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL DOES NOT CONSISTENTLY DEACTIVATE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN IT IS DEPRESSED. THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL DONE ON THIS PART, HOWEVER MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED LESS THAN ONE MONTH AFTER DATE RANGE OF THE RECALLED VEHICLES AND THE KIA DEALERSHIP SAYS MY VIN WASN'T AFFECTED. I BELIEVE THAT TO BE INCORRECT AND THAT I HAVE A DEFECTIVE STOP LAMP SWITCH THAT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. RECALL CAMPAIGN ID#12V014000. *TR
BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T TURN ON AND WHEN YOU PRESS ON THE BRAKE THE ESC ON THE DASH LIGHTS UP SAYING IT'S OFF. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RONDO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE BRAKE LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V130000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH) AND CALLED THE MANUFACTURER BUT THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RONDO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE BRAKE LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V130000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH) AND CALLED THE MANUFACTURER BUT THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE OTHER DRIVERS WOULD NOT BE AWARE OF WHEN HE WAS APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 10/17/11 *BF UPDATED 10/28/11
Official recalls
313V114000 · 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.
09V130000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
Apr 17, 2009
HUYNDAI-KIA IS RECALLING 139,844 MY 2006-2007- SEDONA, SPORTAGE, SORENTO AND MY RONDO AND AMANTI VEHICLES. THE STOP LAMP SWITCH IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION. A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED OR MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED. A STOP LAMP SWITCH MALFUNCTION MAY ALSO AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK FEATURE SO THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE SHIFTED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. IT MAY ALSO CAUSE THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) MALFUNCTION LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, AND IT MAY NOT DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: ANY OF THESE MALFUNCTIONS, ALONE OR IN COMBINATION, MAY LEAD TO A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 17, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA'S CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER 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.