NHTSA vehicle safety data

2009 Kia Rondo Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2009 Kia Rondo has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 72 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Kia dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2009 Kia Rondo, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2009 Kia Rondo owner complaints

Owners have filed 72 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Kia Rondo, describing incidents dated July 14, 2009 to October 20, 2023.

Most-cited components

Steering 31 complaints
Air Bags 14 complaints
Electrical System 10 complaints
Service Brakes 10 complaints
Engine 7 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 6 complaints

Of the 72 complaints on file, 5 report a crash; across all 72 complaints, owners report 5 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11551392 · Filed October 23, 2023
The contact owns a 2009 Kia Rondo. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and turned off, the exterior brake lights remained illuminated. Additionally, the ESC warning light was illuminated while driving. The contact had to depress the brake pedal three times to turn off the exterior…
ODI #11509628 · Filed March 1, 2023
No compression in cylinder 3 due to oil drainage in spark plug panel caused Loss of motive power and Almost a wreck so to vehicle shutting down on the interstate . As I look I see that this is in investigation already and needs to be took into consideration as soon as possible if our lives really…
ODI #11499666 · Filed January 1, 2023
I had to replace the tires on this car several times in 3 years. They alarm had a glitch that the car would not start and you had to take it specifically to a Kia dealer to have they alarm reprogrammed. Even upon repairs to your local mechanic. Costing them more money and me more money because they…

Read all 72 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2009 Kia Rondo in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Defect Petition DP22-003: Loss of Motive Power
Closed December 12, 2023

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Stop Lamp Switch may Function Intermittently

NHTSA #13V114000 · Exterior Lighting — Brake Lights — Switch · NHTSA notice

Reported April 1, 2013 · Kia Motors Corporation

Potentially affected: 980,377 vehicles

Kia campaign SC098 · Owners notified April 19, 2013 · Vehicles built January 31, 2007 – July 30, 2010 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

FUEL PUMP SUB-ASSEMBLY

NHTSA #08V459000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage · NHTSA notice

Reported September 11, 2008 · Kia Motors Corporation

Potentially affected: 6,680 vehicles

Kia campaign SC074 · Owners notified September 22, 2008 · Vehicles built November 5, 2007 – July 12, 2008 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

UNUSUALLY SEVERE IMPAIRMENT WHILE DRIVING COULD EXPOSE THE DRIVER TO THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

KIA RECALL NO. SC074.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

2009 Kia Rondo 4-DR. w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 4

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

1 investigation

72 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2009 Kia Rondo.

Exterior Lighting

ODI #11551392

Incident: October 20, 2023 · Filed: October 23, 2023

The contact owns a 2009 Kia Rondo. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and turned off, the exterior brake lights remained illuminated. Additionally, the ESC warning light was illuminated while driving. The contact had to depress the brake pedal three times to turn off the exterior brake lights. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

Steering; Vehicle Speed Control; Engine

ODI #11509628

Incident: June 16, 2021 · Filed: March 1, 2023

No compression in cylinder 3 due to oil drainage in spark plug panel caused Loss of motive power and Almost a wreck so to vehicle shutting down on the interstate . As I look I see that this is in investigation already and needs to be took into consideration as soon as possible if our lives really matter to Kia as your customers . So very sad how the engines and fuel systems are on kias

Electrical System; Service Brakes; Forward Collision Avoidance

ODI #11499666

Incident: September 8, 2022 · Filed: January 1, 2023

I had to replace the tires on this car several times in 3 years. They alarm had a glitch that the car would not start and you had to take it specifically to a Kia dealer to have they alarm reprogrammed. Even upon repairs to your local mechanic. Costing them more money and me more money because they could not get in the car by pass they alarm without using kia first to reprogram it. The brakes locked up. The lights woukd go off for airbag and stay on. The anti lick brake light would stay on .. Very dangerous. I had to spend more money to because of they alarm. Even just replacing the battery in the alarm remote cost more money for the remote and the programming of the remote . You could not just replace the battery. The tires and brakes gave me several issues in 3 years To the tube of close 3000. And that's being fair.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11459633

Incident: March 31, 2022 · Filed: April 5, 2022

I am reporting premature sub frame corrosion. The corroded area would cause a safety hazard if the corroded part of the frame broke all the way off as a result of hitting a large bump or perhaps a big pothole. Fortunately i discovered the problem when I was getting the tires balanced. I will no longer drive the vehicle until it is repaired safely.

Engine

ODI #11456373

Incident: March 4, 2021 · Filed: March 11, 2022

Engine Star making very loud noise. Will driving. Mechanic told me engine is damaged and need replacement

Suspension

ODI #11387162

Incident: January 4, 2021 · Filed: January 8, 2021

MY HUSBAND WAS SITTING IN OUR KIA, IN PARK AND CAR TURNED OFF, WHEN HE HEARD A LOUD SNAPPING SOUND. CAR TOWED TO SHOP RESULTED IN MECHANIC STATING OUR FRONT DRIVER STRUT "EXPLODED" INTO SEVERAL PIECES. LUCKY WE WERE NOT DRIVING WHEN IT HAPPENED, HE STATED. NEVER HAD A CAR DO THIS BEFORE, EVER!

Steering

ODI #11361022

Incident: September 16, 2020 · Filed: September 24, 2020

EVERY TIME I GO THROUGH A SMALL PUDDLE I LOSE CONTROL OF STEERING THE VEHICLE. IT HAS HAPPENED BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY NUMEROUS TIMES, LASTS A FEW MINUTES AND THEN I REGAIN CONTROL OF STEERING. FORTUNATELY, IT'S HAPPENED ON MY STREET FOR THE MOST PART. LAST WEEK, SEPTEMBER 16, 2020, I WAS ON A VERY BUSY MAIN ROAD WHEN I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN INTO A SHOPPING CENTER. I TURNED RIGHT, WENT THROUGH A SMALL PUDDLE, AND LOST CONTROL OF STEERING. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO ONE BEHIND ME SO I SHIFTED BACKWARDS AND TRIED TO FORCE THE STEERING WHEEL WITH NO LUCK. I REPEATED GOING BACKWARDS AND AFTER A FEW ATTEMPTS THE STEERING FUNCTION CAME BACK. I'VE HAD THE DRIVE BELT REPLACED SO THAT CAN'T BE THE PROBLEM. I'VE RECENTLY HAD AN ALIGNMENT, TWO NEW TIRES INSTALLED, AND TIRES ROTATED. NOTHING WAS MENTIONED ABOUT ANY ISSUES. I TAKE MY VEHICLE TO THE SAME REPAIR SHOP AND HAVE HAD EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT. I KNOW THE VEHICLE IS OTHERWISE FUNCTIONING WELL. I WAS ON-LINE SEARCHING TO SEE IF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THING HAPPENING TO OTHER PEOPLE. THERE ARE NO RECALLS BUT I THINK THIS IS A SERIOUS ENOUGH PROBLEM THAT KIA SHOULD INVESTIGATE AND CORRECT.

Steering

ODI #11343358

Incident: August 4, 2020 · Filed: August 4, 2020

WHEN I DRIVE IN WET CONDITIONS, SOMETIMES THE STEERING WHEEL IS INOPERABLE FOR A FEW SECONDS. I'VE SEEN MANY OTHER PEOPLE SAY THEY'VE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUES WITH THEIR VEHICLE AND KIA CLAIMS THAT THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT COULD CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND THEY NEED TO BE RECALLING THESE VEHICLES BEFORE SOMETHING VERY BAD HAPPENS.

Steering; Suspension; Service Brakes

ODI #11310060

Incident: January 1, 2020 · Filed: February 19, 2020

WHEN IT IS RAINING OR AFTER RAIN IF THERE ARE STILL PUDDLES IN THE ROAD, WHEN THE CAR GOES THROUGH ANY PUDDLES THE STEERING LOCKS UP FOR AT LEAST 45 SECONDS. I HAD MY DAUGHTER LEARNING HOW TO DRIVE AND THIS HAPPENED TO HER. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT PUTTING MY CHILD AT RISK LIKE THIS ESPECIALLY WITH THE PRICE OF THIS CAR. I'VE HAD THE POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED AND IT STILL DOES THIS. MY ESC LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE I GOT THE CAR. SO ANY TIME I HIT THE SMALLEST BUMP OR WHEN TRYING TO STOP ON A BUMPY ROAD OR ON SNOW OR ICE, THE CAR LOCKS UP. THE BRAKES GO OUT AND ITS LIKE EVERYTHING IN THE CAR LOCKS UP FOR A FEW SECONDS. IT IS TERRIFYING ESPECIALLY WHEN TRYING TO STOP AT A LIGHT. I HAVE NEVER IN MY LIFE EXPERIENCED SO MANY ISSUES IN A VEHICLE BEFORE OWNING A KIA RONDO. I HAVE HAD THE WHOLE FRONT END SUSPENSION REPLACED, NEW TIRES AND RIMS AND A MONTH LATER THE CAR IS WOBBLING AGAIN.

Power Train; Electronic Stability Control (ESC); Service Brakes

ODI #11288174

Incident: December 5, 2019 · Filed: December 10, 2019

THE ESC LIGHT WENT TO ESC OFF STATUS. TRIED TO REPAIR BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. BRAKE LIGHT PLUNGER STOPPER WAS BROKEN. CANNOT FIND REPLACEMENT STOPPER OF THIS TYPE. APPEARS THIS IS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY THAN ORIGINAL RONDO LX 2009. THERE WAS DEFINITELY A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE AND WE WERE NOT NOTIFIED. NEED ASSISTANCE IN MAKING SAFETY ISSUE CORRECTED. PARK POSITION CAN ALSO SLIP OUT WITHOUT APPLYING THE BRAKE. BRAKE LIGHTS CAN STICK ON. NEED ASSISTANCE ASAP FROM KIA.

Other Kia Rondo model years

Check your 2009 Kia Rondo VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Kia Rondo at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Kia VIN