IllustrationAIR COMPRESSOR BAD CAUSING OVERHEATING IN PASSENGERS. *TR
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
What owners actually said
117 reportsON SEVERAL OCCASIONS IN THE PAST MONTH WHILE DRIVING, MY KIA RONDO STOPS RESPONDING AS I ATTEMPT TO ACCELERATE. IT HAS CAUSED ME TO BLOCK TRAFFIC AND COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. AT THIS POINT I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR AS I AM AFRAID OF CAUSING …
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ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS IN THE PAST MONTH WHILE DRIVING, MY KIA RONDO STOPS RESPONDING AS I ATTEMPT TO ACCELERATE. IT HAS CAUSED ME TO BLOCK TRAFFIC AND COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. AT THIS POINT I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR AS I AM AFRAID OF CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THERE IS ANOTHER PROBLEM WHICH HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR SEVERAL MONTHS- DRIVING THROUGH A PUDDLE OR ANY STANDING WATER CAUSES TH CAR TO SCREECH AND MAKE A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND CAUSES A TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE ROADS ARE WET. IT IS SO UNSAFE THAT I NEVER DRIVE IN LESS THAN DRY ROAD CONDITIONS. *TR
DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WAS ABOUT TO EXIT OFF WHEN MY KIA RONDO STOPPED OUT OF NOWHERE. THE ENGINE JUST WENT THEN I LOOKED BACK TO SEE IF THE WAS ANY OIL THAT CAME OUT AND THERE WAS OIL SPILLED ON THE EXIT RAMP. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2007 KIA RONDO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR AND FRONT BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKES SEIZED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2007 KIA RONDO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR AND FRONT BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKES SEIZED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RONDO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION GEAR SHIFTER FAILED. AS A RESULT, HE WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS INTO REVERSE OR PARK. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V130000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: BRAKE LIGHTS: SWITCH) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RONDO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION GEAR SHIFTER FAILED. AS A RESULT, HE WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS INTO REVERSE OR PARK. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V130000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: BRAKE LIGHTS: SWITCH) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THAT RECALL PREVIOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
ON 5-9-2012, IT WAS RAINING HEAVILY. MY RONDO, WHICH DROVE FINE THE DAY BEFORE AND THE DAY AFTER, STARTED MAKING A LOUD SCREECHING NOISE AND THE STEERING BECAME VERY "TIGHT" FEELING. I PULLED OFF ROAD INTO A PARKING LOT, AND WHEN I DID EXPERIENCED TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. I CAME VERY CLOSE TO CRASHING INTO THE PARKED CAR …
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ON 5-9-2012, IT WAS RAINING HEAVILY. MY RONDO, WHICH DROVE FINE THE DAY BEFORE AND THE DAY AFTER, STARTED MAKING A LOUD SCREECHING NOISE AND THE STEERING BECAME VERY "TIGHT" FEELING. I PULLED OFF ROAD INTO A PARKING LOT, AND WHEN I DID EXPERIENCED TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. I CAME VERY CLOSE TO CRASHING INTO THE PARKED CAR BESIDE ME AS A RESULT. I WAITED A FEW MINUTES, RESTARTED THE CAR. PULLING OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE, MY VEHICLE BRAKES ENGAGED SUDDENLY WITHOUT NOTICE, AND MY SON AND I WERE GRABBED BY OUR SEAT BELTS AS OUR BODIES WERE THROWN FORWARD SO HARD. I WAS BLOCKING TRAFFIC SO I RESTARTED THE CAR, AND IT DROVE OK ON A STRAIGHT ROAD, BUT WHEN I TURNED, AGAIN LOST STEERING. WHEN I SAY LOSS OF POWER STEERING, I MEAN WITH ALL MY MIGHT I COULDN'T GET THE CAR TO GO WHERE I WANTED. THE RAIN STOPPED AND I HAD NO FURTHER PROBLEMS UNTIL YESTERDAY, 6-13-12, WHEN IT HAD BEEN RAINING AGAIN. THIS TIME, PULLING ONTO A BUSY ROAD, MOVING QUICKLY DUE TO THE APPROACHING TRAFFIC, AND AGAIN LOST ALL ABILITY TO STEER. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO SLAM ON MY BRAKES AND GO IN REVERSE TO GET OUT OF THE PATH OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC, BUT HAD THE CIRCUMSTANCES BEEN DIFFERENT, MY YOUNG CHILDREN AND I COULD HAVE SUFFERED A CATASTROPHE. NHTSA HAD TWO SIMILAR REPORTS WITH THE 2007 RONDO: INTERNAL SEQUENCE NUMBER #736XXX DATED 8-23-09 AND #749XXX DATED 12/2/2009. I HOPE NHTSA AND/OR KIA ADDRESSES THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED OR KILLED. "PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION (FOIA), 5 U.S.C.552 (B)(6). *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RONDO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD BECOME RESISTANT TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS AND ENTER INTO LIMP MODE. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE THROTTLE BODY POSITION SENSOR, AS WELL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RONDO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD BECOME RESISTANT TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS AND ENTER INTO LIMP MODE. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE THROTTLE BODY POSITION SENSOR, AS WELL AS THE ACCELERATOR SENSOR PUMP CONTROL MODULE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE THROTTLE CONTROL AND THE ACCELERATOR SENSOR PUMP CONTROL MODULE WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,212. UPDATED 07/13/12 *BF UPDATED 07/18/12
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RONDO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, SHE TURNED ON THE AIR CONDITIONER AND AIR BLEW OUT OF THE VENTS AT MAXIMUM VELOCITY. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE AIR CONDITIONER OFF, BUT IT WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS STOPPED ILLUMINATI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RONDO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, SHE TURNED ON THE AIR CONDITIONER AND AIR BLEW OUT OF THE VENTS AT MAXIMUM VELOCITY. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE AIR CONDITIONER OFF, BUT IT WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS STOPPED ILLUMINATING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 59,000.THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
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 STATED THAT THE REAR MIDDLE AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT LATCH PROPERLY AND WOULD RETRACT ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE LATCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RONDO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR MIDDLE AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT LATCH PROPERLY AND WOULD RETRACT ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE LATCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 78,000.
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.