DecodedCars2008 Kia Rondo
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2008 models.
- Class
- Midsize Station Wagons
- Body styles
- 4dr Wagon FWD EX-V6/EX-V6 Luxury, 4dr Wagon FWD LX/EX/EX Premium
- Engines
- 2.4L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 22 combined · 19 city / 26 hwy
- Length
- 179.1 in
- Curb weight
- 3,340–3,450 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Overview
The 2008 Kia Rondo is a midsize station wagon offered with 2 engines (2.4L 4-cyl and 2.7L 6-cyl) and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 179 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,450 lb (4dr Wagon FWD EX-V6/EX-V6 Luxury).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 22 MPG combined (19 city / 26 highway), 11% better than the 2008 midsize station wagon average of 19.8 MPG, for an estimated $3,050 a year in fuel.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 40 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the fuel/propulsion system.
What changed for 2008
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2007 Rondo — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2007; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2007 Rondo →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Wagon FWD EX-V6/EX-V6 Luxury | 179.1 in | 71.7 in | 65 in | 106.3 in | 61.4 / 61 in | 3,450 lb | 60/40 |
| 4dr Wagon FWD LX/EX/EX Premium | 179.1 in | 71.7 in | 65 in | 106.3 in | 61.4 / 61 in | 3,340 lb | 60/40 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rondo | 2.4L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 26 / 22 | +11% | $3,050 | 404 |
| Rondo | 2.7L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 26 / 21 | +6% | $3,200 | 423 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2008 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2008 Kia Rondo under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2008 midsize station wagons
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 Kia Rondo (this car) | 22 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2008 Dodge Caliber | 26 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (2)
Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch · Apr 1, 2013
NHTSA campaign 13V114000 · 980,377 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
- 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.
Air Bags › Frontal · Jan 17, 2012
NHTSA campaign 12V014000 · 145,755 vehicles
- Problem
- KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. (KIA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2008 KIA OPTIMA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 29, 2005, THROUGH JANUARY 29, 2008, AND MODEL YEAR 2007 AND 2008 KIA RONDO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 13, 2006, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2008. THE CLOCK SPRING CONTACT ASSEMBLY FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) MAY BECOME DAMAGED THROUGH USAGE OVER TIME. IF THE CLOCK SPRING CONTACT ASSEMBLY BECOMES DAMAGED, THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT WILL EXPERIENCE A HIGH RESISTANCE CONDITION POTENTIALLY CAUSING THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG TO NOT DEPLOY.
- Risk
- IF THE CLOCK SPRING DEVELOPS HIGH RESISTANCE, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVERS AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT THE DRIVER, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.
- Fix
- KIA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE VEHICLE'S AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING CONTACT ASSEMBLY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 11, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.
Not every 2008 Kia Rondo is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2008 Kia Rondo buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Fuel/Propulsion System — 12 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
- Air Bags — 8 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Engine — 7 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 90,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2008 Kia Rondo. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Rondo years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Rondo | 22 | 179.1 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 Rondo | 22 | 179.1 in | Not rated | 1 | 2 |
| 2010 Rondo | 22 | 179.1 in | Not rated | 2 | 7 |
| 2009 Rondo | 22 | 179.1 in | Not rated | 1 | 52 |
| 2007 Rondo | 22 | 179.1 in | Not rated | 2 | 47 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Kia. How we calculate this →