KnownCarProblems2008 Kia Rondo Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 97 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Kia Rondo, most often about the fuel system (23% of complaints, typically around 100,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Rondo model year since 2000 and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2008 Kia Rondo problems
Fuel system
22 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 100,000 miles. Parts named most often: storage.
It takes 2 or 3 attempts to start my car after getting gas. Recently, after getting gas, the car stalled while I was driving on a busy main road going approx 40mph. Today, the car stalled 2x while driving. Everything turned off, had to use the emergency brake to stop the car.
Went to get rear tires put on my car and the mechanic noticed the fuel tank was leaking above the support on the drivers side. To replace the fuel tank is over 900 dollars, according to the dealer. I know this is a problem in the same area for rondos because a Kia mechanic told me that he just had one in that had a…
Air bags
18 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 75,000 miles.
I was broadsided on the passenger side at a busy intersection. The air bag cover on the passenger side popped off and hit me (the driver) in the head. The air bags on the front and back passenger's side fell out but did not deploy. The driver's side did not deploy at all. The air bags were less than worthless, they…
Takata 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.
Engine
16 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 65,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
Steering system has experienced a thumping grind on reverse turns when steering wheel is fully engaged. Repaired multiple times by lubing stops. Brake calipers do not engage properly and have been replaced numerous times. Air conditioning drain line is located directly above passenger side engine cradle mounting…
The check engine light comes on and the engine timing/ computer being impacted instance happen june 19, 2013 car failed nj inspection cost to repair $782.85.
Body and structure
11 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 63,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
Steering system has experienced a thumping grind on reverse turns when steering wheel is fully engaged. Repaired multiple times by lubing stops. Brake calipers do not engage properly and have been replaced numerous times. Air conditioning drain line is located directly above passenger side engine cradle mounting…
Takata 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.
Speed control
11 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 64,500 miles.
The contact owns a 2008 Kia Rondo. The contact stated that while entering a parking space, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and crashed into a power cable unit. The front passenger suffered injuries to the right hand. A police report was filed of the incident. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The…
While starting the car, the car suddenly accelerates. This has happened multiple times , lucky no one has been injured. Also sometimes, the vehicle stalls, steering doesnt move, brakes are jammed. Once I shut the car and restart again, it sometime work normally.
Suspension
10 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 98,000 miles. Parts named most often: rear, front.
The contact owns a 2008 Kia Rondo. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the front driver side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the driver side coil spring detached and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was…
I took vehicle in to private mechanic for wheel alignment. I was told that due to manufacturing quirk that one of the alignment adjustments to the wheels can not be accomplished. The dealer was unable to help either. I was told that a tire was improperly welded on upon manufacturing and a correct/appropriate alignment…
Steering
8 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 74,000 miles.
Every time I went through a puddle, the parking brake/brake fluid light and the charging system warning light would come on. It also lost power steering while this happened. It lasted few moments. This happened with every puddle and even on the freeway when water splashed underneath!!
Steering system has experienced a thumping grind on reverse turns when steering wheel is fully engaged. Repaired multiple times by lubing stops. Brake calipers do not engage properly and have been replaced numerous times. Air conditioning drain line is located directly above passenger side engine cradle mounting…
Transmission
6 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 13,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
I have a 2008 Kia Rondo lx (v6) which has around 6300miles. I am the first owner and drove it for the last 6 months. Even epa fuel economy estimates are 18 mpg (city : 14 to 22 mpg) and 26 mpg (highway: 21 to 31 mpg) at the window sticker, they were not realistic. I do not complain on city mpg and it is 19-20 mpg in…
The contact owns a 2008 Kia Rondo. The contact stated the vehicle gear shift selector was unintentionally bumped and shifted into drive, causing the vehicle to roll away in the reverse position. The vehicle proceeded to crash into a nearby house. The vehicle engine was shut off at the time of the failure and the keys…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2008 Kia Rondo recalls
Lights: switch
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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 depressi
Air bags: frontal
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: storage
Risk: Unusually severe impairment while driving could expose the driver to the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Loss of motive power
Summary
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
Questions about the 2008 Kia Rondo
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Kia Rondo?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: fuel system (22 complaints, typically around 100,000 miles); air bags (18 complaints, typically around 75,000 miles); engine (16 complaints, typically around 65,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2008 Kia Rondo have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from April 1, 2013 (lights). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2008 a bad year for the Kia Rondo?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Rondo model year since 2000, with 97 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.