Model year guide

2010 Kia Rondo

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2010 Kia Rondo is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

2010 Kia Rondo — representative photo
Representative photo

2010 Kia Rondo at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints9
Combined21–22 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2010 Kia Rondo recalls 2

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module NHTSA Campaign #23V652000 · manufacturer #SC284 · 25/09/2023

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 202…

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch NHTSA Campaign #13V114000 · manufacturer #SC098 · 01/04/2013

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, m…

Fix: Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2010 Kia Rondo common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 9 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2010 Kia Rondo safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Frontal — driver★★★★★
Frontal — passenger★★★★★
Side — front seat★★★★★
Side — rear seat★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2010 Kia Rondo 4-DR. w/SAB. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2010 Kia Rondo MPG & running costs

Combined21–22 mpg
City19 mpg
Highway27 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,125
EPA size classMidsize Station Wagons
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Automatic 5-spd
Passenger volume108 cu ft
Cargo volume32 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$3,625 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2010 Kia Rondo costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$15,625
Fuel only$15,625
Per mile$0.21

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
179.1 in
Width
71.7 in
Height
65.0 in
Wheelbase
106.3 in
Curb weight
3,340–3,717 lb
Front track
61.4 in
Rear track
61.0 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2010 Kia Rondo — ranges cover the 2 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 2

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires Open

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and di…

NHTSA #AQ23002 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · opened Nov 2023

Loss of Motive Power Closed

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the s…

NHTSA #DP22003 · Engine · opened Sep 2022 · closed Dec 2023

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 27

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 27.

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides inf…

Bulletin TSB_BOD055_R1 · Structure, Exterior Lighting · Sep 2021

PITSTOP - BRAKE CALIPER LEAK INSPECTION - This PITSTOP provides information related to a brake caliper fluid/oil substance found on some Kia vehicles, due to possible excess assembly oil applied during assembly.

Bulletin PS675 · Equipment, Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Aug 2020

PITSTOP - ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed during engine repairs should be considered serviceable, and should be thoroughly cleaned and transferred to the new engine.

Bulletin PS539 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2018

TSB: DEFOGGING LOGIC ? NORMAL OPERATION, DISABLING, AND ENABLING - Starting with 2010MY, all Kia vehicles, except Rio (JB), incorporate a defogging logic to prevent the interior windows from becoming excessively fogged. Depending on the specific model, the HVA…

Bulletin PS493 · Equipment, Visibility · Mar 2017

TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners, which are designed to lock into place once fully attached, are utilized in various Kia models and are strictly intended for ?one time use.? Some examples are: axle shaft nu…

Bulletin TSB-GEN085R1 · Equipment, Equipment Adaptive/mobility · Jan 2017

TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners utilized in various Kia models are strictly intended for ?one time use?. Though not limited to the following, some examples are: axle shaft nuts with stake collar, cotter pi…

Bulletin TSB-GEN085 · Latches/locks/linkages, Equipment Adaptive/mobility · Nov 2016

TSB: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: EVAPORATIVE CANISTER INSPECTION AND/OR REPLACEMENT (SC135) - This bulletin provides information to inspect and/or replace the evaporative canister assembly on some Optima (TF) vehicles, produced from September 2, 2010…

Bulletin TSB-SC135R1 · Engine And Engine Cooling, Equipment Adaptive/mobility · Oct 2016

OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER (SC135) - DEAR KIA OWNER, KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. IS CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN / WARRANTY EXTENSION PROGRAM REGARDING THE EVAPORATIVE CANISTER IN YOUR VEHICLE.

Bulletin SC135OWNER · Engine · Sep 2016

DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (SC135) - ATTENTION: ALL DEALER PRINCIPALS, KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. IS CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN / WARRANTY EXTENSION PROGRAM TO INSPECT THE EVAPORATIVE CANISTER. KIA HAS DETERMINED THAT THE FOLLOWING KIA VEHICLES…

Bulletin SC135DEALERP · Equipment, Engine · Sep 2016

DEALER PARTS & SERVICE MANAGER MEMO (SC135) - ATTENTION: ALL DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGERS, KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. IS CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN / WARRANTY EXTENSION PROGRAM TO INSPECT THE EVAPORATIVE CANISTER. KIA HAS DETERMINED T…

Bulletin SC135DEALERPSM · Engine, Equipment · Sep 2016

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the RONDO FWD. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

Canadian recalls 3

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 2010 Kia Rondo. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Brakes

Issue: On certain vehicles, the brake hydraulic electronic control unit (HECU) could short circuit. Safety Risk: A short circuit could create a fire risk, even while the vehicle is parked and turned off. Corrective Actions: Kia will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the fuse(s) for the HECU. Kia recommends that you should park…

Transport Canada #2023529 · Sep 2023

Engine

Issue: Kia Canada is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign that provides an update to the engine control module to detect potential problems before an engine fails. An engine failure could cause a sudden loss of power with an inability to restart. Note: This only affects vehicles equipped with a 2.4 L MPI engine. Safety Risk: A sudden loss of engine power could increase the…

Transport Canada #2021040 · Feb 2021

Brakes

On certain vehicles, the stop lamp switch may fail and cause intermittent operation of the brake lights. Failure of the brake lights to illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed could result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the switch.

Transport Canada #2013098 · Apr 2013

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

2010 Kia Rondo vehicles on record

Other Kia Rondo model years

2010 Kia Rondo — frequently asked questions

Does the 2010 Kia Rondo have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2010 Kia Rondo. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 2010 Kia Rondo?

Across all 9 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, steering, service brakes.

What is the 2010 Kia Rondo safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2010 Kia Rondo crash-test ratings of frontal 5★, side 5★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2010 Kia Rondo get?

The 2010 Kia Rondo has U.S. EPA estimates of 21–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (2 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.