Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Kia Rondo owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
NHTSA ID Number: 11476858 Brake lights will not go off.I found white Plastic nylon washer broke into many pieces in floor board mat. It is the Brake pedal pad stop washer. After researching, This is a common issue with these vehicles. This defective component has a high probabilty of causing rear end collisions due to the Brake lights staying on. NHTSA should do a safety recall on these vehicles.
To whom it May concern, on approximately, Sunday, August 10, 2014, I was driving my 2007 Kia Rondo and a man hit my bumper due to the fact he could not see my brake lights (due to the manufacturer's recalled parts; NHTSA campaign numbers: 13V114000 and 09V130000). I was unaware of the recalled product until yesterday, February 1, 2015, when I was doing a google search. This whole situation has really frightened me because I am essentially driving a ticking time bomb. The brake lights are out, and the red "air bag" light is on (therefore determining that the air bags do not work; NHTSA campaign number: 12V014000), and the yellow "ESC off" light is on, and does not go off. I have to continuously pop open the hood to reconnect the battery every other time attempt to turn the car on. I am a Monday-Friday 9-5 working 19 year old living on his own, and I am living to paycheck to paycheck. …
Tl contact owns a 2007 Kia Rondo. On eight separate occasions, while driving at any speed, the emergency brake icon illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle began to drag as if the emergency brake had been engaged. The emergency brake had to be released in order for the vehicle to correct itself. The vehicle was taken to the dealer twice with no resolution. The current mileage was 2,646 and failure mileage was 1,900. Updated 7/3/08 the consumer was involved in an accident and believed the problem with the brake May have caused the accident. The consumer stated she was not sure how the accident happened. She stated she attempted to pass a slow moving vehicle and the next thing she knew, she swerved into the median. Updated
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Kia Rondo. While driving 10 MPH in the rain and making a left turn, the brake pedal was difficult to depress and the steering wheel failed to turn left or right. Additionally, while making a right turn, the failure recurred. When the vehicle was turned off and restarted, it resumed normal operation; however, the traction control and ECM warning indicators were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 94,000.
Vehicle had the stop lamp switch replaced under NHTSA campaign 09V130000 (Kia recall sc077) in June 2009. On 4/6/14 the replacement stop lamp switch failed causing the ESC malfunction light to illuminate, the brake lights to fail to illuminate, and brake-transmission interlock to prevent the transmission from being either shifted from n to r or from p to r without using the shift lock release tab. I had just backed out of a parking space at one store with no problems, crossed the street, and attempted to park at another store when the transmission would not shift out of drive. Had to use shift lock release to get vehicle home and to dealer on 4/7/14. Dealer confirmed failure of the replacement switch, charged me $69.02 in parts and labor to replace it. …
Tl contact owns a 2007 Kia Rondo. He had continuous electrical failure with his vehicle. During the recent failure, the vehicle caught fire under the hood. The vehicle was pushed outside his garage in order to save his home from being burned. There was a short in the ABS module and the brakes failed. On several occasions, he also lost power on the electrical instrument panel. The dealer replaced the entire fuse panel and within three days, the failure recurred. The dealer stated that he would need authorization from the manufacturer before repairing the vehicle a second time. The manufacturer advised him that they had the right to make the repairs; however, the contact refused since previous attempts to repair the vehicle were unsuccessful. The current mileage was approximately 22,000 and the failure mileage was approximately 1,485. Updated 02/05/09. …
I was driving my 2007 Kia Rondo at highway speed with the cruise control on when the engine speed revved up dramatically-as if the transmission had disengaged. Stepped on the brakes, cruise disengaged and engine slowed. Around the same time, noticed the ABS and ESC off lights would come on intermittently, stay on, then not come on. At slow speed turns after the car set for a while, the ABS would engage on dry pavement (without light) and car did not slow normally. Went to dealer, who said the issue was a brake light switch, which was replaced and vehicle taken for a test drive. When I picked the car up, both the ABS and ESC off lights were off, but came on within minutes of leaving the lot. Later that night, ABS started acting up again-once without even stepping on the brake pedal. Taking the car back to dealer tomorrow to see what is going on. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Kia Rondo. The contact stated that for more than three years the contact has had problems with the headlights dimming and flickering on the vehicle. The failure occurs when the rpms on the vehicle changes. The manufacturer has inspected the vehicle and stated they have no fix for the vehicle. The manufacturer told the contact that this failure would be corrected on the 2010 model. The failure mileage 20 and current mileage was 78000. The consumer believed the headlights were adjusted to high. The dealer informed the consumer that Kia was aware of the problem with the 2010 model and was working on a fix. The tires were cupping in the rear, the rear brakes, battery and brake switch had to be replaced. The vehicle overheated. The vehicle would not come out of park. The dealer. The dealer replaced the brake pedal switch. The alternator was replaced. …
I own a 2007 Kia Rondo. We bought the car new with 6 miles on it. In less than 4 years we have put brakes on this car 2 times. Our mechanic says this is a definate design flaw. The sliding mechanisms in the Kia brakes collects rust inside the brake and hardens and prematurely wears the brakes. Less than 2 years ago I paid for my 1st set of brakes. Now I am replacing all 4 brakes! This will cost over $800! My front brakes are down to nothing again. This is a safety hazard! I have spoken to other Kia owners and they have break issues too. You go to a dealer and they either deny it or say well that's a Kia. I will keep the brakes for this replacement if you would be interested in viewing them. Another thing no parts are available so the cost are increased.
After 2 repairs at Kia dealers my Kia Rondo has again slammed on the brakes with no warning at all this is the third time this has happened and at 65 MPH it is quite an experience. I can not believe we have not been rear ended by the other cars on the road. I have explained to two Kia service departments what has happened but in both instances they installed a tail light switch and claimed that would solve the problem. I am now afraid to drive this car again. At the present time the dealer is ordering a new part but can only hope they know what they are doing this time. Please somehow alert all Kia owners of this problem which by doing May save injuries or a life. Thank you
Brake complaints in other Rondo years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2007 Kia Rondo?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the brakes of the 2007 Kia Rondo, 18% of the model year's 117 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Kia Rondo brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2007 Kia Rondo, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2007 Kia Rondo brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles, and 39% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.