What Kia Rondo years should I avoid?

NHTSA data points to the 2007 and 2008 Rondo as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 75 and 100, the highest among the five model years covered.

What is the best year for the Kia Rondo?

No Rondo year qualifies as Good or Best because every model year is capped by recall campaigns. The lowest-risk years are 2009 and 2010, both rated Caution.

What is the biggest problem area for the Kia Rondo?

Across all years, engine issues are the most reported problem, accounting for 71 complaints or 24% of the total, followed by brakes at 18% and airbags, electrical system, and steering each at 17%.

Does the 2010 Kia Rondo have a recall that affects its rating?

Yes. The 2010 Rondo has a low complaint index of 25 but is capped to a Caution verdict because it has a Do Not Drive or Park Outside recall.

How many total complaints does the Kia Rondo have?

NHTSA lists 297 total complaints across the 2007-2011 Rondo model years, with 5 recall campaigns filed in total.

Kia Rondo Best and Worst Years (2007–2011)

The 2007 and 2008 Kia Rondo are rated Avoid, with complaint indexes of 75 and 100, the two worst of the five model years. No Rondo year earns a Good or Best verdict because every year carries recall campaigns; 2009 and 2010 are the lowest-risk choices among Caution years.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2007 Avoid 2008Lowest-risk years:Caution 2009 Caution 2010

Model years: 5; 2007–2011
NHTSA complaints: 297
Recall campaigns: 5
Crashes reported: 33
Fires reported: 2
Top problem area: Engine

Rondo Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Kia Rondo problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2007	Avoid	75	117	13	2	3	Engine	21	—
2008	Avoid	100	97	14	0	3	Engine	21.5	—
2009	Caution	50	72	5	0	2	Steering	21.5	—
2010	Caution	25	9	1	0	2	Brakes	21.5	—
2011	No verdict	0	2	0	0	1	Brakes	21.5	—

Rondo years to avoid: what went wrong

2008 Kia Rondo Index 100 · 97 complaints · 3 recalls

The 2008 Rondo has the highest complaint index of any year, 100, and ranks worst overall. Engine issues are the top problem area at 25% of complaints (24 complaints), median 64,753 miles, including reports of brakes failing to slow the vehicle during acceleration events. Fuel system complaints follow at 23%, median 100,000 miles, tied to a recall for a fuel pump that could cause poor starting and hesitation. Airbags account for 19%, with owners reporting non-deployment in crashes and rollovers. This year has three recall campaigns, including the fuel pump recall unique to 2008-2009 models, and NHTSA logged 14 crashes and 11 injuries with no reported deaths or fires.

2008 engine problems →2008 fuel system problems →2008 airbags problems →

2007 Kia Rondo Index 75 · 117 complaints · 3 recalls

The 2007 Rondo has a complaint index of 75 and ranks second-worst of the five years. Engine problems lead complaints at 31% (36 complaints), with a median failure mileage of 85,625 miles, including reports of overheating and coolant loss. Brakes account for 23% of complaints, with owners describing an emergency brake icon illuminating and the vehicle dragging as if the parking brake had engaged, at a median 66,000 miles. Airbags make up 14%, with several owners reporting airbags failing to deploy in crashes. The year carries three recall campaigns covering electrical, airbag clock spring, and stop lamp switch issues, and NHTSA recorded 13 crashes, 8 injuries, and 1 death.

2007 engine problems →2007 brakes problems →2007 electrical system problems →

Most common Kia Rondo problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Engine71 (24%)
Brakes53 (18%)
Airbags50 (17%)
Electrical System50 (17%)
Steering50 (17%)
Fuel System41 (14%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires28 (9%)
Other20 (7%)
Structure & Body19 (6%)
Transmission & Powertrain14 (5%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What Kia Rondo years should I avoid?: NHTSA data points to the 2007 and 2008 Rondo as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 75 and 100, the highest among the five model years covered.
What is the best year for the Kia Rondo?: No Rondo year qualifies as Good or Best because every model year is capped by recall campaigns. The lowest-risk years are 2009 and 2010, both rated Caution.
What is the biggest problem area for the Kia Rondo?: Across all years, engine issues are the most reported problem, accounting for 71 complaints or 24% of the total, followed by brakes at 18% and airbags, electrical system, and steering each at 17%.
Does the 2010 Kia Rondo have a recall that affects its rating?: Yes. The 2010 Rondo has a low complaint index of 25 but is capped to a Caution verdict because it has a Do Not Drive or Park Outside recall.
How many total complaints does the Kia Rondo have?: NHTSA lists 297 total complaints across the 2007-2011 Rondo model years, with 5 recall campaigns filed in total.