2010 Kia Rondo Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2010 Kia Rondo has a Complaint Index of 25, the lowest among model years with meaningful complaint counts, but it carries a Caution verdict because of a park-outside recall. NHTSA lists 9 complaints, 2 recalls, and top problems in brakes (56%) and electrical/steering (44% each).
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 25/100
- #4 of 5 Rondo years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 9
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- 1 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21.5
- 19 city / 26.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2010 Kia Rondo problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes5 (56%)
- Electrical System4 (44%)
- Steering4 (44%)
- Airbags2 (22%)
- Engine2 (22%)
- Other1 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (11%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report sudden loss of power steering and braking together, often during wet weather.
- Brake and battery warning lights illuminate simultaneously right before steering and brakes lock up briefly.
- Some describe the vehicle stalling or shutting down mid-drive in rain, then restarting only for the failure to recur.
- Door locks and power windows work sporadically, affecting remote and manual controls on multiple doors.
- One owner reported cruise control failing to disengage when the brakes were applied, resulting in a low-speed crash.
- A shifter that would not move out of park was linked to a stop lamp switch covered under a recall.
2010 Kia Rondo recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V652000Sep 25, 2023Brakes1,730,192 vehiclesPark Outside
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
- NHTSA 13V114000Apr 1, 2013Electrical System980,377 vehicles
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
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.
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.
2010 Kia Rondo fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 26.5 MPG
- Combined
- 21.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,025
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2010 compared with other Rondo years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2010 Kia Rondo reliable?
- NHTSA lists 9 complaints for the 2010 Rondo, giving it a Complaint Index of 25, the lowest among the Rondo years with notable data. However, its verdict is capped at Caution because of a park-outside recall.
- What problems does the 2010 Kia Rondo have?
- Brakes are the top problem area, making up 56% of complaints, followed by electrical system and steering issues at 44% each. Owners often report these failures happening together during wet weather, with a median failure mileage of 85,450.
- Does the 2010 Kia Rondo have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls: a 2023 park-outside brake recall and a 2013 electrical system recall covering the stop lamp switch.
- How does the 2010 Rondo compare to other years?
- The 2010 model ranks 4th worst out of the Rondo years listed, with a Complaint Index of 25 versus 100 for 2008 and 75 for 2007, both rated Avoid.
- What is the top complaint area for the 2010 Kia Rondo?
- Brakes are the top problem area, accounting for 56% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 81,619.