Does the 2008 Kia Rondo have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2008 Kia Rondo, the most recent reported on April 1, 2013 (Exterior lighting: brake lights, switch). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Kia Rondo?

Owners have filed 97 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (18 complaints), followed by fuel/propulsion system (16).

How many 2008 Kia Rondo complaints mention a crash or fire?

14 of 97 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 11 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2008 Kia Rondo recalls and problems

3 recalls and 97 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2008 Kia Rondo.

recalls

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2008 Kia Rondo recalls

Exterior lighting: brake lights, switch

NHTSA campaign 13V114000 · reported April 1, 2013 · Kia Motors Corporation · 980,377 vehicles potentially affected

The 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.
The 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.
The 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.

Air bags: frontal

NHTSA campaign 12V014000 · reported January 17, 2012 · KIA MOTORS CORPORATION · 145,755 vehicles potentially affected

The 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.
The 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.
The 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.

Fuel system, gasoline: storage

NHTSA campaign 08V459000 · reported September 11, 2008 · Kia Motors Corporation · 6,680 vehicles potentially affected

The 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.
The risk: Unusually severe impairment while driving could expose the driver to the risk of a crash.
The 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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Air bags18
Fuel/propulsion system16
Engine11
Structure11
Vehicle speed control11
Suspension10
Steering8
Electrical system6
Fuel system, gasoline6
Power train6

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Nov 17, 2023 · Service brakes, air · 166,000 miles
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…

Sep 9, 2023 · Structure
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…

Dec 16, 2020 · Engine · 187,025 miles
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.

Nov 16, 2020 · Engine
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.

Aug 11, 2020 · Fuel/propulsion system
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.

Rondo model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2007	3	117	13	2
2008	3	97	14	0
2009	2	72	5	0
2010	2	9	1	0
2011	1	2	0	0

Across all years, the 2007 Rondo has the most complaints (117). All Kia Rondo years →

Questions

Does the 2008 Kia Rondo have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2008 Kia Rondo, the most recent reported on April 1, 2013 (Exterior lighting: brake lights, switch). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Kia Rondo?: Owners have filed 97 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (18 complaints), followed by fuel/propulsion system (16).
How many 2008 Kia Rondo complaints mention a crash or fire?: 14 of 97 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 11 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received November 17, 2023.