VehicleVerdict

2007 Kia Rondo problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 179 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.7 times the median Rondo year — the 2007 model ranks #1 of 5 Rondo years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 15 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (28), electrical system (27), and brakes (23), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

179

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

24

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

15

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2007 compare to other Rondo years?

Rondo NHTSA complaints by model year, 2007 highlighted179 complaints2007: 179 complaints2008: 139 complaints2009: 105 complaints2010: 19 complaints2011: 4 complaints
Rondo NHTSA complaints by model year, 2007 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Rondo years to avoid →

What are the most common 2007 Kia Rondo problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine2816%
Electrical System2715%
Brakes2313%
Airbags1911%
Lighting169%
Fuel System148%
Seat Belts95%
Speed Control95%
Body & Structure74%
Steering63%
Suspension63%
Tires & Wheels63%
Other53%
Transmission21%
Visibility & Wipers21%

Does the 2007 Kia Rondo have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

13V114000LightingApril 1, 2013 · 980,377 units

Defect

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.

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.

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.

12V014000AirbagsJanuary 17, 2012 · 145,755 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

09V130000LightingApril 17, 2009 · 139,844 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

ANY OF THESE MALFUNCTIONS, ALONE OR IN COMBINATION, MAY LEAD TO A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 17, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA'S CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“MY ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE ...THE FIRE WAS STARTED NEAR OR AROUND THE FUEL RAIL/ OR INJECTORS. I RESEARCHED KIA RECALLS AND OTHER YEARS AND OTHER MODELS OF KIA'S WERE PART OF A SIMILAR RISK. I FEEL THAT THIS WAS A HUGE SAFETY RISK....LUCKILY MY CAR ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE VERY CLOSE TO MY HOME, AND I WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 25, 2018 · fire

“TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, ON APPROXIMATELY, SUNDAY, AUGUST 10, 2014, I WAS DRIVING MY 2007 KIA RONDO AND A MAN HIT MY BUMPER DUE TO THE FACT HE COULD NOT SEE MY BRAKE LIGHTS (DUE TO THE MANUFACTURER'S RECALLED PARTS; NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 13V114000 AND 09V130000). I WAS UNAWARE OF THE RECALLED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 10, 2014 · crash

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RONDO. ON EIGHT SEPARATE OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ICON ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DRAG AS IF THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HAD BEEN ENGAGED. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HAD TO BE RELEASED IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 22, 2008 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2007 KIA RONDO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 80 MPH, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED HEAD ON INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THE DRIVER WAS FATALLY INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · December 30, 2017 · crash

“TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, ON APPROXIMATELY, SUNDAY, AUGUST 10, 2014, I WAS DRIVING MY 2007 KIA RONDO AND A MAN HIT MY BUMPER DUE TO THE FACT HE COULD NOT SEE MY BRAKE LIGHTS (DUE TO THE MANUFACTURER'S RECALLED PARTS; NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 13V114000 AND 09V130000). I WAS UNAWARE OF THE RECALLED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · August 10, 2014 · crash

2007 Kia Rondo — common questions

Is the 2007 Kia Rondo reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 179 complaints put the 2007 model at #1 of 5 Rondo years. It is one of the Rondo years to avoid.

What are the most common 2007 Rondo problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (28 complaints), electrical system (27 complaints), brakes (23 complaints).

Does the 2007 Kia Rondo have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2007 Kia Rondo. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2007 Kia Rondo under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Kia Rondo years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Rondo years to avoid are 2007, 2010, 2011. The cleanest record among Rondo years belongs to 2009.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.