Kia

Rondo (1st)

2007-2010 · Compact · 2 engines
Best Engine ⚠️ Caution (3.1)
294 NHTSA Complaints
5 Recalls
2 Fire Reports
32 Crash Reports
📋 Inspection checklist

Engine Reliability Ratings

Theta-II ULEV

2.4L
⚠️ Caution (3.1)
65 complaints 45.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

steering
27
electrical
15
safety systems
14
brakes
10
fuel system
6

Known Issues

Steering Issues (27 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (15 complaints)
Safety Systems Issues (14 complaints)

Kia Rondo 2.7L 6-cyl unspecified

2.7L 6-cyl
Avoid (1.6)
229 complaints 57.2 per year Gasoline
2 fire reports 1 fatality
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
46
safety systems
37
fuel system
35
electrical
34
brakes
31

Known Issues

Engine Issues (46 complaints)
Safety Systems Issues (37 complaints)
Fuel System Issues (35 complaints)

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Kia Rondo regardless of engine variant.

Safety Systems Issues (51 complaints)
safety_systems critical
Electrical System Issues (49 complaints)
electrical critical
Engine Issues (46 complaints)
engine critical
Brakes Issues (41 complaints)
brakes critical
Fuel System Issues (35 complaints)
fuel_system critical

Recalls (5)

23V652000Sep 24, 2023serious
Service Brakes

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.

13V114000Jan 3, 2013serious
Exterior Lighting

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.

12V014000Jan 16, 2012serious
Air Bags

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.

09V130000Apr 16, 2009serious
Exterior Lighting

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.

08V459000Nov 8, 2008serious
Fuel System

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.

Alternatives in Compact

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2007-2010 Kia Rondo problems?

The 2007-2010 Kia Rondo has accumulated 294 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Safety Systems, Electrical System, Engine. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Kia Rondo engine is most reliable?

The 2007-2010 Kia Rondo was offered with 2 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2.4L ?-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2007-2010 Kia Rondo a good used car?

The 2007-2010 Kia Rondo can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 294 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2007-2010 Kia Rondo have?

The 2007-2010 Kia Rondo has 294 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2007-2010 Kia Rondo?

There are 5 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2007-2010 Kia Rondo vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Kia Rondo?

Before buying a used Kia Rondo, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Safety Systems, Electrical System, Engine, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

Does the Rondo have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2007-2010 Kia Rondo. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 294 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-05-19.

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