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2009 Kia Rondo Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2009 Kia Rondo has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Seat belt buckle failure.” 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 2009 Kia Rondo.

Reported to NHTSA

Seat belt buckle failure

SEAT BELTS

4 NHTSA complaints · 2011-03 → 2019-05

“DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT LOCK WHEN TRYING TO PUT IT ON; WHILE STATIONARY AND IN PARK. TAKES SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, AND LOTS OF JIGGLING, TO GET IT TO ENGAGE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11209304
“THE 3RD ROW SEAT BELT BUCKLES (BOTH OF THEM) HAVE BROKEN/FELL APART AND ARE NO LONGER USABLE. THE SEAT BELTS ARE NOT ABLE TO BE CLICKED/LOCKED AND CREATE AN UNSAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10914141
“2009 KIA RONDO LX - 2 BROKEN SEAT BELT BUCKLES IN BACK SEAT - THE SEAT BELT CASING ON DRIVER SIDE BACK SEAT COMPLETELY CAME OFF; THE MIDDLE SEAT BELT BUCKLE CASING IS CRACKED AND INOPERABLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10393006

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Automatic transmission jerking and solenoid malfunction

POWER TRAIN

3 NHTSA complaints · 2009-10 → 2012-02

“AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION JERKS/LUNGES WHEN IT SHIFTS AT SPEEDS LESS THAN 50 KM/HR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10367762
“MALFUNCTIONING TRANSMISSION SOLENOID THAT THE KIA FACTORY REP TOLD US "WHEN IT FAILS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL GO INTO SAFE MODE AND YOU CAN BRING IT BACK"”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10289391
“THIS MODEL CAR HAS AT LEAST THREE HEADLIGHTS. I HAVE REPLACED THE MAIN HEADLIGHTS NOW 4 TIMES IN THE LAST 6 - 7 MONTHS. NOW THE TRANSMISSION HAS LOCKED UP MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO PUT THE CAR INTO PARK OR PAST NEUTRAL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10448553

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Front suspension spring and strut failure

SUSPENSION

2 NHTSA complaints · 2019-06 → 2021-01

“MY HUSBAND WAS SITTING IN OUR KIA, IN PARK AND CAR TURNED OFF, WHEN HE HEARD A LOUD SNAPPING SOUND. CAR TOWED TO SHOP RESULTED IN MECHANIC STATING OUR FRONT DRIVER STRUT "EXPLODED" INTO SEVERAL PIECES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11387162
“FRONT SPRINGS BREAKING AND IT IS NUMEROUS MODEL YEARS. KIA KNOWS ABOUT THIS AND HAS DONE NOTHING. WHEN YOU TURN THE SPRINGS TWIST AND BREAK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11222650

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power steering loss in wet conditions

STEERING

31 NHTSA complaints · 2013-07 → 2020-09

“EVERY TIME I GO THROUGH A SMALL PUDDLE I LOSE CONTROL OF STEERING THE VEHICLE. IT HAS HAPPENED BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY NUMEROUS TIMES, LASTS A FEW MINUTES AND THEN I REGAIN CONTROL OF STEERING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11361022
“ON THREE OCCASIONS WITHIN THE PAST TWELVE MONTHS, I HAVE COMPLETELY LOST POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING. THE WHEEL BECOMES ALMOST UNMOVABLE (I AM A STRONG, ADULT MALE)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11096594
“2009 KIA RONDO HAS POWER STEERING AND ALTERNATOR FAILURE DURING RAIN STORMS. THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY LOSES POWER STEERING, THE BRAKE AND BATTERY LIGHTS APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD, AND CAR SOMETIMES SHUTS OFF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10604973

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag warning light illumination and non-deployment

AIR BAGS

11 NHTSA complaints · 2010-08 → 2019-09

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 KIA RONDO. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES TO THE CHEST AND RIBS THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11103780
“MY AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ON AND I HAVE NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENT AND I AM TAKING IT TO TO THE DEALER. WHY IT SHOULD GO ON I DON'T KNOW”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10969278
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA RONDO. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, AN OPPOSING VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND SIDE REAR BUMPER. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY WITH THE LEVEL OF FORCE INVOLVED IN THE CRASH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10353023

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Sudden engine stall and loss of power

ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

5 NHTSA complaints · 2017-03 → 2023-03

“No compression in cylinder 3 due to oil drainage in spark plug panel caused Loss of motive power and Almost a wreck so to vehicle shutting down on the interstate”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11509628
“DRIVING 65 MPH ON FREEWAY SUDDENLY LOSES COMPRESSION TO ZERO MPH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10966437
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA RONDO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED TO PUMP FUEL TO THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11004311

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)

20 crashes 1990–2024

How the 20 occupant deaths break down

14

driver deaths

6

passenger deaths

20

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.

5

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 2009 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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