U.S. public vehicle records

2007 Kia RONDO problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

117 owner complaints analyzed

3 distinct recall campaigns

68,750 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2007 model year. Data snapshot: 2026-09-12 (September 12, 2026). 104 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 24 of 117 complaints (20.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Braking behavior	38	32.5%
Engine operation	10	8.5%
Steering behavior	8	6.8%
Electrical and battery issues	7	6.0%
Transmission and shifting	5	4.3%
Fuel system concerns	4	3.4%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Engine

Electronic Stability Control (Esc)

Service Brakes

Air Bags

Seat Belts

Electrical System

Exterior Lighting

Fuel/Propulsion System

Engine: 24; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 14; Service Brakes: 13; Air Bags: 9; Seat Belts: 9; Electrical System: 8; Exterior Lighting: 8; Fuel/Propulsion System: 8

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 19; 25,000 to 49,999: 18; 50,000 to 74,999: 20; 75,000 to 99,999: 22; 100,000 to 149,999: 21; 150,000 and above: 4

75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (22). 13 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2021

2022

2007: 1; 2008: 7; 2009: 14; 2010: 9; 2011: 7; 2012: 13; 2013: 10; 2014: 9; 2015: 17; 2016: 6; 2017: 6; 2018: 10; 2019: 3; 2021: 2; 2022: 3

Pattern summary

Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 38 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 10 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10230842 · 2008-06-12 (June 12, 2008)

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 CORRECT ITSELF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE WITH NO RESOLUTION. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,646 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,900. UPDATED 7/3/08 *CN THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND BELIEVED THE PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE MAY HAVE…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10230842 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10236357 · 2008-07-30 (July 30, 2008)

PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2007 KIA RONDO 3 MONTHS AGO. AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING FOR 6 HOURS OR LONGER THE BRAKES SQUEAL UPON PUTTING LIGHT PRESSURE ON THEM. TOOK CAR TO THE DEAL AND WAS TOLD THIS IS NORMAL. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 1 miles reported. Look up ODI 10236357 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10274086 · 2009-06-17 (June 17, 2009)

2007 KIA RONDO ENGINE STALLS FOR NO REASON EVER SINCE I HAVE GOTTEN THIS CAR THE ENGINE HAS STALL ON A NUMBER OF TIMES WHEN AT A STOP SIGN OR STOP LIGHT FOR NO REASON WHAT SO EVER. AS THE CAR IS ABOUT TO TAKE OFF FROM STOP THE ENGINE STALL OUT. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN ON A NUMBER OF TIMES FOR THIS AND THEY TELL ME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SHOULD COME ON WITH ANY STALL OF THE ENGINE. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS EVER COME ON! THIS HAS HAPPENED EVER SINCE THEY REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AFTER 3000 MILES WHEN WE GOT THE CAR. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10274086 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10461719 · 2012-06-14 (June 14, 2012)

ON 5-9-2012, IT WAS RAINING HEAVILY. MY RONDO, WHICH DROVE FINE THE DAY BEFORE AND THE DAY AFTER, STARTED MAKING A LOUD SCREECHING NOISE AND THE STEERING BECAME VERY "TIGHT" FEELING. I PULLED OFF ROAD INTO A PARKING LOT, AND WHEN I DID EXPERIENCED TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. I CAME VERY CLOSE TO CRASHING INTO THE PARKED CAR BESIDE ME AS A RESULT. I WAITED A FEW MINUTES, RESTARTED THE CAR. PULLING OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE, MY VEHICLE BRAKES ENGAGED SUDDENLY WITHOUT NOTICE, AND MY SON AND I WERE GRABBED BY OUR SEAT BELTS AS OUR BODIES WERE T…

Owner-reported narrative. 81,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10461719 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10281450 · 2009-08-23 (August 23, 2009)

2007 KIA RONDO - ENGINE PULLEY FAILURE. HAD STARTED CAR, AND WAS LEAVING A PARKING LOT CROSSING 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC AND HAD NO STEERING CONTROL. VEHICLE HAS BEEN ASSESSED AND IS CURRENTLY IN REPAIR WAITING FOR A PART. HAD I BEEN ON A FREEWAY, OVERPASS, ETC., ESPECIALLY WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 22,072 miles reported. Look up ODI 10281450 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10294251 · 2009-12-02 (December 2, 2009)

KIA RONDO YEAR 07 POWER STEERING FREEZES IN WET WEATHER DUE TO MOISTURE SPRAYING ON THE POWER STEERING BELT CAUSING SLIPPAGE. MANUFACTURER HAS IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM VERBALLY, BUT REFUSES TO CORRECT OR DOCUMENT THE PROBLEM IN WRITING. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10294251 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10215731 · 2008-01-22 (January 22, 2008)

MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND O2 SENSOR WENT BAD ON A VEHICLE THAT HAD ONLY 3,000 MILES. AFTER A HALF OF A DOZEN TIMES IN THE SHOP, IT IS STILL NOT FIXED. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 2,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10215731 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10252199 · 2008-12-18 (December 18, 2008)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RONDO. HE HAD CONTINUOUS ELECTRICAL FAILURE WITH HIS VEHICLE. DURING THE RECENT FAILURE, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED OUTSIDE HIS GARAGE IN ORDER TO SAVE HIS HOME FROM BEING BURNED. THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE ABS MODULE AND THE BRAKES FAILED. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, HE ALSO LOST POWER ON THE ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENTIRE FUSE PANEL AND WITHIN THREE DAYS, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT HE WOULD NEED AUTHORIZATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER BEFORE …

Owner-reported narrative. 1,485 miles reported. Look up ODI 10252199 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10470584 · 2012-08-14 (August 14, 2012)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RONDO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION GEAR SHIFTER FAILED. AS A RESULT, HE WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS INTO REVERSE OR PARK. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V130000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: BRAKE LIGHTS: SWITCH) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THAT RECALL PREVIOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10470584 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10681637 · 2015-02-05 (February 5, 2015)

THE KIA RONDO HAS A RATHER UNUSUAL FUEL TANK THAT IS ALSO A SUSPENSION PART. MY CAR HAD NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, I HAD NOT RUN OVER ANY DEBRIS, THERE WAS NO CORROSION--BUT THE FUEL TANK FAILED AT ABOUT 112,000 MILES AND AT 7 YEARS OF AGE. ***** I NOTICE THAT OTHER KIAS HAVE HAD FUEL TANK PROBLEMS AND/OR RECALLS. ***** AS A RESULT OF THIS FAILURE, FUEL WAS POURING FROM A LEAKY SEAM ON THE TANK ONTO THE GROUND, WITH RESULTING HAZARDS TO PEOPLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT. IT TOOK OVER A WEEK TO GET ANOTHER FUEL TANK; I DON'T KNOW IF THIS …

Owner-reported narrative. 112,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10681637 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10758728 · 2015-08-24 (August 24, 2015)

PURCHASED A 2007 KIA RONDO FROM CONCORD HONDA, CONCORD, N.C. SEPT.,2014. VEHICLE HAD ONLY APPROX. 56,000 MILES ON IT. WHILE DRIVING CAR STARTED JERKING FORWARD AND BACK. WHILE COMING TO A STOPLIGHT OR STOP SIGN AND DECELERATING(LETTING YOUR FOOT OFF THE THE GAS PEDAL) THE ENGINE WOULD STALL, THEN YOU COULD START THE ENGINE RIGHT BACK UP. NOW AT 75,000 MILES CAR WILL NOT KEEP RUNNING EVERYTIME YOU STOP.ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON,EXTENDED START AND NO ACCELERATION...WHEN YOU PUSH ACCELERATOR IT DOES NOT ACCELLERATE. HAD ENGINE LIGHT CODE CHECKED AN…

Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10758728 at NHTSA ↗