KnownCarProblems2009 Kia Rondo Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 72 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Kia Rondo, most often about the steering (43% of complaints, typically around 85,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Rondo model year since 2000 and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2009 Kia Rondo problems
Steering
31 complaints · 43%Half of these problems showed up before 85,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2009 Kia Rondo. While driving various speeds, the engine stalled and the power steering seized without warning. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road. The contact restarted the vehicle and it returned to normal. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not…
Everytime it rains or I go over a puddle my power steering locks up on me and I cant move the steering wheel. I have read so many stories of this happening to other rondos like mine.. Why has this not been recalled yet??? I almost get in a wreck everytime it rains!! This is absolutely crazy that it has not had a…
Air bags
14 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 84,000 miles. Parts named most often: side/window.
This 2009 Kia Rondo has had three air bag related problems. 1.the front passenger seat was replaced at $1700 because a sensor caused the air bag light to display. 2.the steering wheel air bag unit was replaced at $900 because again the air bag light was on. 3.the same day that the steering wheel air bag unit was…
Since I purchased the car at the Kia dealership in nc - it was raining and I drover over a puddle of water, I was making a right turn in the process and all lights turned on on dash - it slowed my car down almost turned off. Airbag light turned on (still on). Car turned back on but everytime it rains - I am afraid…
Electrical
10 complaints · 14%2009 Kia Rondo has power steering and alternator failure during rain storms. The vehicle completely loses power steering, the brake and battery lights appear on the dashboard, and car sometimes shuts off. The car will restart, but makes a high-pitched screeching noise temporarily. It seems to happen mostly when the…
When I am driving and I hit water or slush on the road way at times my car will loss all power steering and breaking and the lights for the battery and other systems lights come on. It sometimes last for 10 second to 20 seconds. This cause my car to be unsafe for driving because all at one time you lose so much…
Brakes
10 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 92,000 miles. Parts named most often: fluid.
2009 Kia Rondo has power steering and alternator failure during rain storms. The vehicle completely loses power steering, the brake and battery lights appear on the dashboard, and car sometimes shuts off. The car will restart, but makes a high-pitched screeching noise temporarily. It seems to happen mostly when the…
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.…
Engine
7 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 83,000 miles.
When I am driving and I hit water or slush on the road way at times my car will loss all power steering and breaking and the lights for the battery and other systems lights come on. It sometimes last for 10 second to 20 seconds. This cause my car to be unsafe for driving because all at one time you lose so much…
The contact owns a 2009 Kia Rondo. While driving various speeds, the engine stalled and the power steering seized without warning. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road. The contact restarted the vehicle and it returned to normal. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not…
Fuel system
6 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 73,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2009 Kia Rondo. While driving various speeds, water made contact with the fuel intake valve and caused the vehicle to stall. The vehicle was able to be restarted. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The failure occurred intermittently. An independent mechanic stated that the fuel intake…
Fuel smell in vehicle while driving, fuel seepage from injectors onto the intake manifold. Vehicle was taken to multiple dealers but the problem was not fixed. The dealers could not find a leak or smell any gas fumes. As of today, vehicle still has the problem.
Transmission
5 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
This model car has at least three headlights. I have replaced the main headlights now 4 times in the last 6 - 7 months. Now the transmission has locked up making it impossible to put the car into park or past neutral. The ESC off light will not go off. This issue has been observed on the 2007 model of this car.
In january 2013 my care began to make a whinning noise. I took my car to my mechanic who stated the power steering pump went out. I was in disbelief due to my care only being four years old. I then paid $650 for parts after I learned this was not covered under warranty (my car was over 60,000 miles). My mechanic then…
Stability control
5 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 95,000 miles.
While driving 30 MPH, through a puddle, the car lost all ability to steer. Power felt as if it shut off for approximately 1 minute. Not the first time this has happened. Can you please investigate or do recall for whatever parts need to be replaced???
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.…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2009 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
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 2009 Kia Rondo
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 Kia Rondo?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: steering (31 complaints, typically around 85,000 miles); air bags (14 complaints, typically around 84,000 miles); electrical (10 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2009 Kia Rondo have?
- 2 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 2009 a bad year for the Kia Rondo?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Rondo model year since 2000, with 72 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.