NHTSA vehicle safety data

2010 Kia Rondo Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2010 Kia Rondo has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 9 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 2010 Kia Rondo, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2010 Kia Rondo owner complaints

Owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Kia Rondo, describing incidents dated September 8, 2013 to December 19, 2019.

Most-cited components

Electrical System 4 complaints
Service Brakes 4 complaints
Steering 4 complaints
Air Bags 2 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control 2 complaints
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) 1 complaint

Of the 9 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11290187 · Filed December 19, 2019
FIRST PROBLEM, WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION THE ECS LIGHT TURNS ON AND WHEN WHILE DRIVING MY KIA RONDO FEELS UNSTABLE LIKE I AM GOING TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE STIRRING WHEEL. SECOND PROBLEM, WHEN EVER IT RAINS MY KIA WILL STALL WHILE IN MOTION, LOOSE POWER, ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON AND STOPS IN THE MIDDLE…
ODI #11256715 · Filed September 19, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA RONDO. WHILE DRIVING ON WET ROADS, THE BATTERY, ESC, AND EMERGENCY BRAKE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED SIMULTANEOUSLY AND THE STEERING LOST POWER. ALSO, THE VEHICLE OCCASIONALLY SHUT DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALER…
ODI #11016302 · Filed August 19, 2017
LOCKS WORK VERY SPORADICALLY WITH BOTH THE REMOTE AND LOCK BUTTON IN THE CAR. IT AFFECTS ALL DOORS EXCEPT THE TAILGATE. DRIVER WINDOW ALSO HAS DIFFICULTY GOING DOWN SPORADICALLY.

Read all 9 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2010 Kia Rondo in 2 investigations. Audit Queries and Equipment Queries are administrative investigations: they look at whether companies complied with federal vehicle safety requirements, such as reporting, recall and certification rules, not at a possible vehicle defect. 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.

Audit Query AQ23-002: Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
Open since November 17, 2023
Defect Petition DP22-003: Loss of Motive Power
Closed December 12, 2023

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

HECU May Cause Engine Compartment Fire

NHTSA #23V652000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — Control Unit/Module · NHTSA notice

Reported September 25, 2023 · Kia America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 1,730,192 vehicles

Repair completion: 32.37% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Kia campaign SC284 · Owners notified March 29, 2024

Recall group: Hyundai and Kia ABS module fires

Park outside only — fire risk while parked indoors or near structures.

Defect description

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

Safety consequence

An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.

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.nhtsa.gov.

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.

2010 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

2 investigations

9 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2010 Kia Rondo.

Air Bags; Vehicle Speed Control; Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

ODI #11290187

Incident: December 19, 2019 · Filed: December 19, 2019

FIRST PROBLEM, WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION THE ECS LIGHT TURNS ON AND WHEN WHILE DRIVING MY KIA RONDO FEELS UNSTABLE LIKE I AM GOING TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE STIRRING WHEEL. SECOND PROBLEM, WHEN EVER IT RAINS MY KIA WILL STALL WHILE IN MOTION, LOOSE POWER, ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON AND STOPS IN THE MIDDLE OF ANY STREETS, HIGHWAYS OR FREEWAYS AND THE STEERING WHEEL GET SO HARD TO TURN THE CAR TO A SAFETY PLACE.

Power Train; Electrical System

ODI #11256715

Incident: August 20, 2019 · Filed: September 19, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA RONDO. WHILE DRIVING ON WET ROADS, THE BATTERY, ESC, AND EMERGENCY BRAKE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED SIMULTANEOUSLY AND THE STEERING LOST POWER. ALSO, THE VEHICLE OCCASIONALLY SHUT DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,900.

Electrical System; Unknown or Other

ODI #11016302

Incident: December 1, 2016 · Filed: August 19, 2017

LOCKS WORK VERY SPORADICALLY WITH BOTH THE REMOTE AND LOCK BUTTON IN THE CAR. IT AFFECTS ALL DOORS EXCEPT THE TAILGATE. DRIVER WINDOW ALSO HAS DIFFICULTY GOING DOWN SPORADICALLY.

Steering; Electrical System; Service Brakes

ODI #11016301

Incident: August 18, 2017 · Filed: August 19, 2017

DURING RAIN, I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY UP TO A STOP LIGHT. THE BRAKE AND BATTERY LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING ON THE DASHBOARD. ABOUT A MINUTE LATER, A LOUD SCREECHING SOUND STARTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD, AND THEN THE STEERING AND BRAKES LOCKED UP FOR A FEW SECONDS. I REGAINED THE ABILITY TO TURN THE CAR, PULLED IT OFF THE ROAD AND THE SCREECHING CONTINUED FOR ANOTHER MINUTE OR TWO. IT STOPPED WHEN I PARKED MY CAR. IT IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP AFTER I HAD IT TOWED.

Service Brakes

ODI #10924687

Incident: October 28, 2016 · Filed: November 7, 2016

WE CANNOT MOVE THE SHIFTER FROM PARK TO DRIVE. AND WE HAVE NO BRAKE LIGHTS ! THE MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER: SC098UN THE RECALL # 13V114000 RECALL CAMPAIGN # SC098 THEY SAYS ITS A STOP LAMP SWITCH ?

Air Bags; Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10759520

Crash

Incident: August 25, 2015 · Filed: August 26, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA RONDO. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO DISENGAGE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT SLIGHTLY CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V114000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,312.

Steering; Electrical System; Service Brakes

ODI #10714319

Incident: September 8, 2013 · Filed: May 4, 2015

DURING WET WEATHER CONDITIONS THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING, BRAKING ABILITY AND THE BATTERY INDICATOR LAMP ILLUMINATED. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT A DOZEN TIMES. MY WIFE, SON, AND DAUGHTER HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM IN THE SAME TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED TO ME WHILE I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF MAKING A LEFT TURN, GOOD THING I THOUGHT QUICK AND GRABBED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE OR I WOULD HAVE HAD A HEAD ON COLLISION CAUSE OF THE LOSS OF (POWER STEERING AND BRAKING ABILITY). EVERYONE IN THE FAMILY IS AFRAID TO USE THE VEHICLE IN ANY WEATHER CONDITION SINCE THEY EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Steering; Service Brakes

ODI #10667529

Incident: November 17, 2014 · Filed: December 21, 2014

WHILE DRIVING IN WET CONDITIONS, THE BATTERY INDICATOR LIGHT AND THE BRAKE INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED IN THE DISPLAY. POWER STEERING FAILED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER TO SAFETY. THE HEADLIGHTS AND DASHLIGHT POWER WAS SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED. AFTER COMING TO A STOP WITHOUT STEERING POWER, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED AND DISENGAGED WITHOUT A CHANGE IN THE ILLUMINATOR LIGHT. THE CAR WAS HESITANT TO MOVE - GRINDING NOISE AND MAJOR DIFFICULTY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS HAPPENED ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS DURING SIMILAR WEATHER/ROAD CONDITIONS. *TR

Steering

ODI #10663715

Incident: November 24, 2014 · Filed: December 11, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA RONDO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE SPECIFICS OF THE FAILURE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO FAILURE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

Other Kia Rondo model years

Check your 2010 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.

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