2008 Kia Rondo recalls and problems

The 2008 Kia Rondo has 3 safety recalls and 97 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Kia dealer.

Recalls
3
Complaints
97
Crashes / fires
14 / 0
Injuries / deaths
11 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2008 Kia Rondo vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2008 Kia Rondo recalls

Recall 13V-114: Exterior Lighting

Reported Apr 1, 2013 · 980,377 vehicles affected · Kia Motors Corporation

Problem: 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.

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.

Recall 12V-014: Air Bags

Reported Jan 17, 2012 · 145,755 vehicles affected · KIA MOTORS CORPORATION

Problem: 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.

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.

Recall 08V-459: Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported Sep 11, 2008 · 6,680 vehicles affected · Kia Motors Corporation

Problem: 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.

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.

2008 Kia Rondo problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Air Bags18
Fuel/Propulsion System16
Structure11
Vehicle Speed Control11
Engine11
Suspension10
Steering8
Power Train6
Electrical System6
Fuel System, Gasoline6
Unknown or Other6
Engine and Engine Cooling5

Most reported parts

  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 4
  • Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner — 4
  • Structure › Body — 4
  • Structure › Body › Door — 3
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 2
  • Tires › Pressure Monitoring and Regulating Systems — 2
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Floor Shift — 1
  • Suspension › Rear — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 70,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2008 Kia Rondo complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Service Brakes, Air · at 166,000 miles · reported Nov 17, 2023
The contact owns a 2008 Kia Rondo. The contact stated that while driving approximately 24 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to stop immediately as intended. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and turned off. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the ABS pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 166,000.
Structure · reported Sep 9, 2023
After hearing a popping in my front end for two days I took my car into my mechanic. He took a look at it and said he’d never seen anything like it before. My stabilizer bar had completely ripped apart from my subframe. He said the metal was as thin as a few pieces of paper and there was rust. He contacted Kia to see if there were any campaigns on my car and there was one for an anti corrosion coating that was not applied. I took my car to my local Kia dealership and they were not interested in helping and said they couldn’t even look at it for diagnosis for at least a month and even then…
Engine · at 187,025 miles · reported Dec 16, 2020
My vehicle reves up high when I start it and when I'm on the highway it would just cut off and there's gas fumes I smellinside my kia, it also hesitates while driving.
Engine · reported Nov 16, 2020
My rondo speeds up while I'm driving it on the road, and it smells of gas inside my rondo, it runs high when I start it and there's a hesitation before it drives.
Fuel/Propulsion System · reported Aug 11, 2020
There is a smell of gas fumes periodically in the inside of my vehicle, I even smell it when my vehicle is parked and when I start my vehicle it hesitates to start and I have to restart it over.

Other Kia Rondo years

Compare all Kia Rondo years · All Kia models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Kia Rondo have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2008 Kia Rondo: 13V-114 (exterior lighting), 12V-014 (air bags), 08V-459 (fuel system, gasoline). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2008 Kia Rondo?

Owners report air bags problems most often (18 reports), followed by fuel/propulsion system (16). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 70,000 miles.

Are Kia recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Kia dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.