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2008 Kia Rondo Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2008 Kia Rondo has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Front coil spring fracture.” Kia uses Hyundai Motor Group's powertrains, so service intervals mirror Hyundai's. Kia Promise covers the first 3 years / 36,000 miles of complimentary maintenance. Kia owners with the Theta II 2.0L/2.4L (Optima, Sorento, Sportage 2011-2019) should adhere strictly to oil intervals due to known oil-consumption issues in Kia TSBs.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2008 Kia Rondo.

Reported to NHTSA

Front coil spring fracture

SUSPENSION

6 NHTSA complaints · 2014-08 → 2023-09

“I TOOK MY 2008 KIA RONDO FOR THE ANNUAL WV STATE INSPECTION TODAY. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME THAT I HAVE A BROKEN FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11210387
“COMING BACK FROM WISCONSIN THE LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING BUSTED AND SHREDDED THE INSIDE OF THE LEFT FRONT TIRE BLOWING IT OUT TRAVELING AT 65 MILES PER HOUR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10722420
“LAST WEEK WENT IN TO GET NEW TIRES AND MECHANIC BROUGHT TO ME 2 LARGE PIECES OF BOTH MY FRONT COIL SPRINGS. THEY HAD BROKEN OFF BUT LUCKILY NOT IN A WAY THAT WOULD PUNCTURE THE TIRES. BOTH SHOWED RUST ON THE END OF THE SPRINGS WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE IT WAS A FAILURE OF THE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10618715

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rear door latch failure

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

4 NHTSA complaints · 2014-04 → 2018-05

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RONDO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S DOOR FAILED TO OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11092458
“BOTH REAR DOOR HANDLES PART BROKE AND HAD NO WAY OF GETTING IN OR OUT. IT'S THE PART INSIDE THE DOOR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10648539
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RONDO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH REAR DOORS FAILED TO OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10584683

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel pump hesitation and stalling after refueling

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

18 NHTSA complaints · 2011-03 → 2020-12

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RONDO. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED MOVING AND SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. A PASSERBY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP OR ALTERNATOR MAY HAVE FAILED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11267312
“IT TAKES 2 OR 3 ATTEMPTS TO START MY CAR AFTER GETTING GAS. RECENTLY, AFTER GETTING GAS, THE CAR STALLED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY MAIN ROAD GOING APPROX 40MPH. TODAY, THE CAR STALLED 2X WHILE DRIVING. EVERYTHING TURNED OFF, HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10677012
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RONDO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A SPUTTERING NOISE AND A HESITATION WHILE ACCELERATING. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10454162

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag non-deployment in a crash

AIR BAGS

7 NHTSA complaints · 2009-11 → 2019-11

“WAS IN CAR ACCIDENT AT 55 MPH 3 CAR WRECK. IMPACT WITH REAR OF A PICK-UP TRUCK. AIR BAGS ALL FAILED TO DEPLOY. WAS ON HIGHWAY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11279090
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RONDO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10668112
“SINGLE-CAR ACCIDENT; ROLLOVER, 2008 KIA RONDO DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS BY INSURANCE CO.; SAFETY FEATURES INCLUDED ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL; 6 AIRBAGS INCLUDING SIDE/HEAD CURTAIN AND NOT ONE DEPLOYED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10303275

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power steering loss when driving through water

STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

6 NHTSA complaints · 2014-11 → 2017-10

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RONDO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE STEERING LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10839566
“EVERY TIME I WENT THROUGH A PUDDLE, THE PARKING BRAKE/BRAKE FLUID LIGHT AND THE CHARGING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT WOULD COME ON. IT ALSO LOST POWER STEERING WHILE THIS HAPPENED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10725157
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RONDO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE ABILITY TO STEER SEIZED. THE FAILURE RESULTED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10723203

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Sudden unintended acceleration

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

10 NHTSA complaints · 2010-05 → 2018-09

“I WAS PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY WHEN I STARTED TO BACK UP TO STRAIGHTEN MYSELF UP SO THAT I COULD PULL STRAIGHT UP INTO THE DRIVEWAY. AND WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE PEDAL, THE PEDAL WAS STUCK CAUSING ME TO ACCELERATE AT ABOUT 60MPH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10695163
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RONDO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN BRAKING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10489368
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RONDO. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10331138

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag warning light and clock spring replacement

AIR BAGS

7 NHTSA complaints · 2013-02 → 2018-03

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RONDO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10939838
“BROUGHT MY CAR TO KIA DEALERSHIP UPON RE-CALL 6/2012 TO REPLACE CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY. 12/28/2015 - BROUGHT CAR TO SAME KIA DEALERSHIP AND FOUND THAT THE CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN SINCE THE AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUES TO STAY ON”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10816772
“AIR BAG LIGHT ON DASH CAME ON. PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT NOT WORKING. PASSENGER SEAT BELT WARNING CAME ON WHEN DRIVING EVEN THOUGH NO ONE SITTING IN SEAT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11081573

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 3,750 mi

Severe service: every 3,750 miles. Normal: 7,500 miles. Theta II 2.0L/2.4L on Optima, Sorento, Sportage (2011-2019): full synthetic only, never extend.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. Telluride and Sorento AWD owners benefit from rotation every 5,000 miles to prevent uneven wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads and rotors every 7,500 miles. Forte and Soul front pads typically last 40,000-55,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 24 months. Required for ABS and ESC pump longevity.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Severe or dusty conditions: 15,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Severe service: every 30,000 miles. Normal: 60,000 miles. Use Kia SP-IV — same as Hyundai.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 105,000 mi

Iridium-tipped plugs rated 105,000 miles on most Kia engines. 1.6T (Forte GT, Soul Turbo): 60,000 miles. 3.5L Lambda II V6 (Telluride, Sorento): 105,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Long-Life Coolant

Every 30,000 mi

Kia Long-Life Coolant (pink, same as Hyundai): first change at 60,000 miles, then every 30,000. Do not mix with green or orange coolant.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Transfer Case / Rear Diff (AWD)

Every 60,000 mi

On AWD models, replace transfer case fluid and rear differential fluid every 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Located behind the glove box on Optima, Forte, and Sportage; behind the dashboard panel on Telluride.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

34 crashes 1990–2024

How the 34 occupant deaths break down

29

driver deaths

5

passenger deaths

34

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2010 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

14

complaints mentioning a crash

0

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2008 Kia Rondo reflects Kia's published service intervals and the Service Reminder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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