When conditions are wet, power steering freezes up. Dangerous. Took to dealer, everything is fine, but it is still doing it. What is the resolution? There should be a recall. *js
2009 Kia Rondo steering problems
moderate 31 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
31
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 31 steering complaints filed for the 2009 Kia Rondo, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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
Of the 4 model years of Kia Rondo we track for steering problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 31.
Steering accounts for 43% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 6 categories tracked.
The failure pattern owners describe
The core issue hits hard: 2009 Rondos lose power steering whenever they hit puddles or drive in rain, and it happens repeatedly. The steering wheel goes rigid, unmovable, for anywhere from a few seconds to minutes. Multiple owners report losing steering and brakes together—at highway speeds, in busy intersections, with kids in the car. Battery lights, airbag lights, and charging system warnings all flash on the dash. There's usually a loud squeal or grinding noise beforehand.
Owners have replaced power steering pumps, belts, tensioners, and AC compressors. Nothing sticks. One mechanic with 2009 Rondo experience told his customer he'd seen this same pattern in several identical vehicles. Dealerships can't replicate it in the shop, then tell owners there's nothing wrong or that the AC compressor needs $1,400 in work. Kia has not issued a recall. One owner says Kia's response was that they won't act unless multiple lawsuits get filed. Owners describe being terrified to drive in the rain or anywhere near water—one couldn't drive at all during hurricane season. The failures create genuine safety hazards: near-misses on freeways at 65 mph, loss of control in busy intersections, school crossing zones, and with children present.
Failure modes owners describe
Power steering loss in wet conditions
Steering wheel becomes unmovable or nearly unmovable when vehicle drives through puddles, heavy rain, or wet road conditions. Loss occurs suddenly and lasts from a few seconds to several minutes. Owners report steering wheel freezes, seizes, or locks up completely, making the vehicle nearly impossible to control. Often accompanied by high-pitched squealing or grinding noise. In some cases, power steering returns after vehicle is stopped and restarted.
When: Occurs when driving through puddles or in rainy/wet conditions; timing varies from early ownership (30,000 miles) to higher mileage (120,000+ miles); one report at 4 years old with 60,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes unmovable or extremely difficult to turn; Steering locks up or seizes without warning; High-pitched squealing or grinding noise from under vehicle; Loud screeching noise temporarily; Steering loss lasts seconds to minutes before returning; Battery light illuminates on dashboard; Airbag warning light illuminates; Charging system warning light comes on; Engine may stall (in some cases)
Repairs/costs cited: Power steering pump replacement ($650 parts at independent shop); alternator belt or drive belt replacement attempted in some cases; AC compressor replacement suggested by dealership ($1,400 estimate); power steering belt replacement attempted; one dealership found shield in place and replaced belt tensioner with no resolution
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia dealership initially claimed no recalls or known problems; later KIA Corp. Office of Product Liability paid for airbag clock spring repair in one case but refused to cover power steering under warranty or goodwill; one owner reports Kia Corpora indicated they would not address issue unless multiple owners filed lawsuit; some owners report dealer says 'everything is fine' despite ongoing failures
Simultaneous power steering and brake failure in wet conditions
Vehicle loses both power steering and braking capability at the same time when driving through water. Steering wheel will not turn regardless of force applied, and brakes become completely inoperable or require excessive pumping to restore function. Occurs in wet weather and with puddles. Multiple dashboard warning lights illuminate simultaneously (battery, airbag, charging system, parking brake/brake fluid). Failures are intermittent and recur multiple times for affected owners.
When: Occurs during rain and wet road conditions; some owners report issue started 2-3 months prior to complaint; one report of issue starting in 2013 after car purchased in 2010
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes completely immovable; Brakes fail or become inoperable; Battery light illuminates; Airbag warning light illuminates; Charging system warning light illuminates; Parking brake or brake fluid light illuminates; High-pitched squealing or noise during failure; Simultaneous loss of steering and braking control
Repairs/costs cited: No successful repairs documented in narratives; dealership unable to duplicate problem; one owner reports turning off air conditioner temporarily corrects the issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls identified by Kia; dealer claims unable to replicate failure
Power steering pump failure
Power steering pump fails prematurely, producing whining noise. Occurs at relatively low mileage and early vehicle age (4 years old at 60,000+ miles). Owner states mechanic indicated he had seen multiple 2009 Kia Rondos with identical issue and predicted cascading failures would follow.
When: January 2013; vehicle 4 years old with over 60,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Whining noise from steering system; Loss of power steering function
Repairs/costs cited: $650 for power steering pump parts at independent mechanic; not covered under warranty due to mileage exceeding 60,000 miles; Kia dealership initially misdiagnosed as AC compressor issue and quoted $1,400 for repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not covered under warranty; Kia dealership parts employee stated no recalls or known problems at that time
Synthesized from 31 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 9 most recent
Steering locks up when driving through a rain puddle. This has happened 4 times in the last few months. Vehicle was in motion on city streets and at highway speeds. This has happened while going straight and turning.
Every time I went through a puddle today the parking brake/brake fluid light and the charging system warning light would come on. It also lost power steering while this happened. It lasted only a few moments but with traffic and kids in the back, a few moments is long enough. This happened with every puddle and even on the freeway when water splashed underneath!! *tr
Lost power steering after going through a puddle today during a rainstorm. I was going about 25mph when I stopped at a stop sign the attempt to turn right onto a curved right uphill. It lasted a few seconds a charger light went on but that also lasted a few seconds.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Kia rondo. While driving at an unknown speed, the steering wheel seized without warning. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated continuously. The failure recurred three times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was…
When I am driving and I hit water or slush on the road way at times my car will loss all power steering and breaking and the lights for the battery and other systems lights come on. It sometimes last for 10 second to 20 seconds. This cause my car to be unsafe for driving because all at one time you lose so much control. *tr
Twice in the last two weeks, while driving in the rain, both the power steering and the brakes failed. The steering wheel would not turn at all, no matter how hard I tried. The brakes were completely inoperable. After 5-10 seconds, the power steering and the brakes would work again. The worst incident ocurred while attempting to turn in a busy intersection; thank god no one was hurt. The…
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Kia rondo. While driving various speeds, the engine stalled and the power steering seized without warning. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road. The contact restarted the vehicle and it returned to normal. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate…
Any time there is water on the road my car loses steering and braking capabilities. Doesn't mater if it is a small puddle or a large one. Instrument panel lights come on and a loud squealing noise happens. I took the car to be looked at and they said the shield is in place and this shouldn't be happening. I bought the car in 2010 and it started doing this in 2013.
Had steering trouble with your 2009 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 steering problem on the 2009 Kia Rondo?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 31 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 26 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 65,000 and 95,000 miles, with the median around 87,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 65,000; a quarter make it past 95,000. 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 $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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/2009/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.