IllustrationWAS IN CAR ACCIDENT AT 55 MPH 3 CAR WRECK. IMPACT WITH REAR OF A PICK-UP TRUCK. AIR BAGS ALL FAILED TO DEPLOY. WAS ON HIGHWAY.
2008 Kia Rondo
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2008 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
100–25K
1225–50K
2350–75K
1775–100K
16100–150K
6150K+
84 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.
- Air Bags. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
14 crash reports0 fire reports10 injury reports
Air Bags complaints
18 reportsTAKATA RECALL-THE AIRBAGS ARE NOT WORKING FOR PASSENGER. THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS DO NOT WORK FOR THE WINDOWS. AND ONE MORE THING. THE HANDLES TO OPEN THE DOORS ARE MADE OF PLASTIC AND EASILY BREAK, SO YOU CAN NO LONGER OPEN THE DOORS.
AIR BAG LIGHT ON DASH CAME ON. PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT NOT WORKING. PASSENGER SEAT BELT WARNING CAME ON WHEN DRIVING EVEN THOUGH NO ONE SITTING IN SEAT. DEALER SAID IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH SEAT AT FIRST. REPLACED SEAT BUT STILL PROBLEM. TURNED OUT TO BE MODULE UNDER DASH. COST ALMOST $1000 FOR MODULE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RONDO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RONDO. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 163,500.
BROUGHT MY CAR TO KIA DEALERSHIP UPON RE-CALL 6/2012 TO REPLACE CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY. 12/28/2015 - BROUGHT CAR TO SAME KIA DEALERSHIP AND FOUND THAT THE CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN SINCE THE AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUES TO STAY ON. CALLED KIA SAME DAY TO LET THEM KNOW THAT THE ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THAT…
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BROUGHT MY CAR TO KIA DEALERSHIP UPON RE-CALL 6/2012 TO REPLACE CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY. 12/28/2015 - BROUGHT CAR TO SAME KIA DEALERSHIP AND FOUND THAT THE CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN SINCE THE AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUES TO STAY ON. CALLED KIA SAME DAY TO LET THEM KNOW THAT THE ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THAT THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT. THEY STATED THAT IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND SINCE THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ORIGINAL ASSEMBLY DURING THE RE-CALL, I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE COST FOR THE DEFECTIVE ASSEMBLY THAT WAS REPLACED DURING RE-CALL WITH THE NEWLY INSTALLED ASSEMBLY ON 12/29/2015. I BELIEVE IT IS THE KIA CORPORATIONS RESPONSIBILITY TO ABSORB PAYMENT FOR THE DEFECTIVE CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY THAT CONTROLS DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG. I WILL HAVE TO PAY $271.00 PLUS TAX IN ORDER FOR THE DEALERSHIP TO RELEASE MY CAR. I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED BY KIA CORP FOR THE DEFECTIVE PART AND LABOR THAT WAS NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ASSEMBLY. INTERESTING, THEY WOULDN'T ALLOW ME TO TAKE THEIR SURVEY TO RATE THEIR SERVICE! WILL ALSO TAKE THIS MATTER TO THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU!
TAKATA RECALL. I DON'T KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT VEHICLE AIRBAGS TO KNOW IF MY PROBLEM IS PART OF THE TAKATA RECALL. HOWEVER, I'VE LEARNED THAT KIA DID ISSUE A RECALL FOR AN AIRBAG PROBLEM WITH THE RONDO (# SC094). UNAWARE OF THIS RECALL, I BROUGHT MY KIA TO THE KIA DEALER WHEN MY AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IT'S POSSIBLE THAT THE DAT…
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TAKATA RECALL. I DON'T KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT VEHICLE AIRBAGS TO KNOW IF MY PROBLEM IS PART OF THE TAKATA RECALL. HOWEVER, I'VE LEARNED THAT KIA DID ISSUE A RECALL FOR AN AIRBAG PROBLEM WITH THE RONDO (# SC094). UNAWARE OF THIS RECALL, I BROUGHT MY KIA TO THE KIA DEALER WHEN MY AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IT'S POSSIBLE THAT THE DATE WAS PRIOR TO THE KIA RECALL. THE KIA DEALER TOLD ME THAT I MUST PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR ANY INVESTIGATION OF THE CAUSE OF THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATING DUE TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE 60,000 MILE WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE. TO THIS DAY, THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS STILL ILLUMINATED. I'M NOT CERTAIN OF THE EXACT DATE THAT I NOTIFIED THE KIA DEALER.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RONDO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY AT 40 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE DIAGNOSIS WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER A R…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RONDO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY AT 40 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE DIAGNOSIS WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER A RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PREMIERE KIA OF KENNER, AND ALSO CONTACTED KCA/IRVINE 7:40AM CALL; ISSUE CAR SPUTTERS WHEN GAS PEDAL APPLIED; CAR DOES NOT START AFTER FUELING, REQUIRES MULTIPLE STARTS; CAR STALLED TWICE ON HWY NOV. 20, 2014 ISSUES BEGAN. KIA DEALER REPRESENTATIVE REFUSED SERVICE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN RECALL # 08V459000 RECA…
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VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PREMIERE KIA OF KENNER, AND ALSO CONTACTED KCA/IRVINE 7:40AM CALL; ISSUE CAR SPUTTERS WHEN GAS PEDAL APPLIED; CAR DOES NOT START AFTER FUELING, REQUIRES MULTIPLE STARTS; CAR STALLED TWICE ON HWY NOV. 20, 2014 ISSUES BEGAN. KIA DEALER REPRESENTATIVE REFUSED SERVICE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN RECALL # 08V459000 RECALL DATE SEPT. 17, 2008, SUBSEQUENTLY CONTACTED KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS IN IRVINE, CA. CALL CENTER THE PHONE CALL OUTCOME CSR STATED WOULD CONTACT THE LOCAL DISTRICT MANAGER FOR APPROVAL OF RECALL WOULD EXPEDITE PROCESS, CSR STATED WOULD CONTACT LOCAL DM WITHIN TWO HOURS AND GET BACK; RECEIVED DENIAL LETTER IN MAIL. RECALLS SHOWS 6,680 ?POTENTIAL UNITS AFFECTED FOR THIS RECALL 08V459000 FUEL PUMP SUB ASSEMBLY, WHEREAS CAMPAIGN RECALL # 12V014000 SHOWS 145,755 UNITS AFFECTED FOR ?AIRBAG CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY? AND RECALL # 13V114000 SHOWS 623,658 UNITS AFFECTED FOR ?STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY.? ON THE SURFACE SEEMS KIA IS ONLY INCLUDING FULL RECALLS FOR VEHICLES ONLY IF IT POSES THE LEAST FINANCIAL HARM TO THE CORPORATE COMPANY PROFIT AS SHOWN IN THE NUMBER OF RECALLS OF ?EASY TO FIX? ISSUES BUT THOSE SUCH AS THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY HAVE THE LEAST AMOUNT OF ISSUED RECALLS REPRESENTING A NEGLIGIBLE AMOUNT OF TOTAL VEHICLES. IS KIA SACRIFICING SAFETY FOR PROFIT WITH THESE CORPORATE DECISIONS? KIA HAS DENIED A RECALL OF THE SAME ISSUES THAT MY VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING AS STATED IN THE RECALL BULLETIN: ?THE FUEL PUMP MAY NOT SUPPLY ENOUGH FUEL TO THE ENGINE, CAUSING HARD STARTING, ENGINE HESITATION, OR OTHER POTENTIAL IMPAIRMENT. UNUSUALLY SEVERE HESITATION OR OTHER IMPAIRMENT COULD EXPOSE THE DRIVER TO THE RISK OF A CRASH. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP SUB-ASSEMBLY WITH AN UPDATED PART.? KIA HAS NEGLECTED TO RESOLVE FAULTY ISSUE. PLEASE ADVISE KIA TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION BY REPAIRING THE FAULTY FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RONDO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO THE HEAD, THE EYE, AND THE LEFT SIDE OF HIS FACE THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RONDO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO THE HEAD, THE EYE, AND THE LEFT SIDE OF HIS FACE THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V014000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
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.
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
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.