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.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Kia Rondo engine problems
moderate 17 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
17
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
When does it fail?
Of the 17 engine complaints filed for the 2007 Kia Rondo, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 13 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
KIA: ECM UPGRADE WITH TP SENSOR REPLACEMENT-MIL ON WITH DTC P2135/P0638. INFORMATION RELATED TO ECM SOFTWARE AND TP SENSOR UPGRADE ON SOME VEHICLES WITH 2.7L ENGINES WHICH MAY EXPERIENCE A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATED WITH THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL (ETC) SYSTEM RELATED DTC P2135 OR P0638 OR P2A00 OR P2A03.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report the most serious issue: engine rod bearings failing catastrophically, sometimes within 1.3 miles of leaving a dealer after work. One owner's engine threw a rod at 155,600 miles; another faced the same failure at 110,000 miles. Both experienced loud knocking before failure and oil starvation signs. Kia denied a warranty claim citing a "KIA Bulletin" requiring OEM-only filters and demanding full maintenance receipts going back years—a standard no owner could meet for self-service work done at discount retailers.
Stalling is the second major complaint. Engines die without warning at 10–50 mph, recur repeatedly, and refuse to start immediately after refueling. This happens so often that owners report replacing the purge valve solenoid with no fix. One owner called out that Kia recalled the 2.4L engine for this but not the 2.7L, despite identical symptoms.
Additional failures include oil pan corrosion with leaks at 110,000 miles, engine pulley failure causing sudden loss of steering control, and engine stalling when traction control engages on ice. One owner reported fuel pump failure causing mid-road stalls.
Same Kia Rondo engine reports on nearby years: 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Rod bearing failure / catastrophic engine seizure
Engine throws rod and seizes without warning, often with excessive knocking sound preceding failure. Occurs after camshaft positioning sensor code repairs or at high mileage with signs of oil starvation.
When: 155,600 miles; also reported at lower mileage shortly after dealer service; 110,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud knocking sound from engine; Excessive oil consumption; Engine suddenly loses power and seizes; Oil spewed out of engine; Engine stalling while driving
Codes mentioned: P0011 (Camshaft Position Sensor Error)
Repairs/costs cited: $5,200 engine replacement cited in one complaint; one owner left with $7K owed and $5,200 repair bill after warranty denial
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia issued internal bulletin regarding non-OEM oil filter compatibility with camshaft sensor codes; warranty claim denied for inadequate maintenance documentation and non-OEM filter use
Engine stalling - fuel system related
Engine stalls without warning while driving at various speeds. Recurs frequently. Owner reports replacing purge valve solenoid without resolution. Check engine light illuminates. Stalls occur randomly and during acceleration, creating hazard when vehicle dies mid-drive.
When: 47,029 miles noted in one report; recurs from early ownership through 100,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls suddenly while driving at 10-50 mph; Check engine light on; Vehicle revs high then low before stalling; Will not start immediately after refueling; Multiple restart attempts needed; Stalling occurs in reverse and forward motion
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (code not specified)
Repairs/costs cited: Purge valve solenoid replaced; no improvement reported. One dealer suggested A/C belt replacement; vehicle not repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner notes 2.4L engine was recalled but questions why 2.7L model not recalled for same issue
Engine pulley failure
Engine pulley fails suddenly while vehicle in motion, causing immediate loss of steering control. Occurs during normal operation.
When: Failure occurred while leaving parking lot; mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of steering control; Engine pulley failure
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle in repair awaiting parts
Oil pan corrosion and fracture
Metal oil pan corrodes and fractures, leading to oil leaks. Reported at 110,000 miles.
When: 110,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Oil leak from corroded/fractured oil pan
Repairs/costs cited: Oil pan replacement needed; vehicle not repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia aware of issue but no recalls or TSBs mentioned
Engine dies during traction control intervention in icy weather
Engine stalls abruptly when vehicle wheels spin on ice and traction control system activates. Occurs during normal driving in adverse conditions. Creates hazard of immobilized vehicle in traffic.
When: Two separate incidents in icy weather conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Engine dies when wheels spinning on ice; Dies when traction control engages; Occurs during forward and reverse motion
Synthesized from 17 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
The engine is faulty if they demand that only OEM oil filters can be used otherwise engine will break and warranty will not cover it. My story: my 2007 Kia rondo: so my check engine light goes on the other day. I take it my Kia dealer and they say it's code 90011 - camshaft positioning sensor error. They tell me that there is a "Kia bulletin" out about non-OEM oil filters causing this error…
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Kia rondo. While driving 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. In addition, the vehicle accelerated on its own. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 100,100.
Had engine trouble with your 2007 Kia Rondo?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2007 Kia Rondo?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 17 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 15 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 57,000 and 100,100 miles, with the median around 95,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 57,000; a quarter make it past 100,100. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Kia/Rondo.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.