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Research · Midsize Station Wagons

2009 Kia RondoRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 72 owner complaints for the 2009 Kia Rondo. Most complaints involve steering (31) and air bags (14). The EPA rates it 21–22 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
21–22mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Apr 2013
Owner complaints
72
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
$2,900est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Exterior lighting: switch

Remedy pending

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.

Exterior lightingReported Apr 1, 2013NHTSA 13V114000

Fuel system

Free remedy

KIA IS RECALLING 6,680 MY 2008-2009 RONDO LX AND EX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.4 LITER ENGINE. THE FUEL PUMP MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY RESULTING IN NOT ENOUGH FUEL GETTING TO THE ENGINE. POOR ENGINE STARTING, ENGINE HESITATION, AND OTHER IMPAIRMENT MAY RESULT, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT MAY ILLUMINATE.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Sep 11, 2008NHTSA 08V459000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

72 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2009 – Oct 2023
  1. Steering31
  2. Air bags14
  3. Electrical system10
  4. Service brakes9
  5. Engine6
  6. Power train5
  7. Electronic stability control (esc)5
  8. Seat belts4
  9. Fuel/propulsion system4

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Rondo model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2007117
200897
200972
20109
20112
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
5
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Steering

31 reports1 crash
“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 . As I look I see that this is in investigation already and needs to be took into consideration as soon as possible if our lives really matter to Kia as your customers . So very sad how the engines and fuel systems are on kias”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 1, 2023Steering, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11509628

Air bags

14 reports4 crashes
“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. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE CONTACT CALLED SOUTHWEST KIA-ROCKWALL AT(469) 402-2900 (LOCATED AT 1790 I-30 FRONTAGE RD, ROCKWALL, TX 75087) TO NOTIFY THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 25, 2018Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11103780

Electrical system

10 reports
“I had to replace the tires on this car several times in 3 years. They alarm had a glitch that the car would not start and you had to take it specifically to a Kia dealer to have they alarm reprogrammed. Even upon repairs to your local mechanic. Costing them more money and me more money because they could not get in the car by pass they alarm without using kia first to reprogram it. The brakes locked up. The lights woukd go off for airbag and stay on. The anti lick brake light would stay on .. Very dangerous. I had to spend more money to because of they alarm. Even just replacing the battery in the alarm remote cost more money for the remote and the programming of the remote . You could not just replace the battery. The tires and brakes gave me several issues in 3 years To the tube of close 3000. And that's being fair.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 1, 2023Electrical system, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11499666
All 2009 Rondo problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Station Wagons
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 2.7L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Automatic 5-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Rondo
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202722$2,900404
Rondo
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182621$3,050423
  • Rondo
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    20 city · 27 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Rondo
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L
    18 city · 26 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2009 Kia Rondo as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 5199
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2009 Rondo questions

How many recalls does the 2009 Kia Rondo have?

2 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2009 Kia Rondo problems?

Owners filed 72 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (31), air bags (14), electrical system (10). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2009 Kia Rondo get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Kia Rondo at 21–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026