AI Damage2009 KIA Rondo: common problems
Owners of the 2009 KIA Rondo filed 72 complaints with NHTSA, most often about steering and air bags. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 72
- involving a crash
- 5
What fails most often
- 1 Steering 43% of all complaints
- 2 Air bags 19% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 14% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 14% of all complaints
- 5 Engine 8% of all complaints
- 6 Electronic stability control 7% of all complaints
- 7 Powertrain 7% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel/propulsion system 6% of all complaints
- Steering: 31 complaints (43% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Air bags: 14 complaints (19% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 10 complaints (14% of all).
- Service brakes: 10 complaints (14% of all).
- Engine: 6 complaints (8% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 2.7 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- automatic, 5-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 72 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 31 | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 14 | 4 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
I was on the tollway in the right lane it was raining out a truck on the left side of me lost control hit into me and I ran into the light pole head on none of the air bags deployed I had my seatbelt on.
It was raining outside and I left my home to go to the store and went to turn the corner and there was a very loud grinding noise and the steering wheel froze, just completely seized on me and I drove right into the curb opposite the road. I had a child in the car with me and it was terrifying!
The air bags failed to deploy with the level of force involved in the crash. The front seat occupant and rear passenger sustained minor injuries and suffered from whiplash. A police report was available. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer for repairs. The vin was not available.
Additionally, the ESC warning light was illuminated while driving. The contact had to depress the brake pedal three times to turn off the exterior brake lights. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure.
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 .
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.
Engine Star making very loud noise. Will driving. Mechanic told me engine is damaged and need replacement
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 4,366 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 12% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Rondo has 59 complaints (5 years in the data). This year has 72, above average.
What to check before buying
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2009 KIA Rondo?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: steering, air bags, electrical system. Total complaints: 72. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: steering or power steering problems (32%), airbag warning light (13%), warning lights, check engine (11%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2009 KIA Rondo?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2009 KIA Rondo from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2009 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.