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Cross-comparison · Comparison spans different vehicle types

2008 Dodge Durango vs 2008 Kia Rondo

Reliability comparison based on NHTSA recall and complaint records.

Synced 2026-05-03 Source: NHTSA public records Reviewed by ASE-certified contributors
Quick verdict
2008 Dodge Durango and 2008 Kia Rondo run close on the data

Reliability scores are close enough (3.9 versus 3.7) that the choice between these two probably comes down to specific use case rather than overall reliability scoring.

2008 Dodge Durango

3.9/5
Reliability score
97 complaints
0 recalls (0 critical)
$11,450 repair exposure
vs

2008 Kia Rondo

3.7/5
Reliability score
97 complaints
2 recalls (0 critical)
$13,150 repair exposure

Stories from the shop

Reliability scores run close (3.9 versus 3.7). The pick comes down to specific use case more than overall reliability scoring.

If you lean 2008 Dodge Durango, know what you're getting into on airbags and fuel system. Those categories have noticeably more complaints than the 2008 Kia Rondo sees, and they're not cheap items when they go.

Going with the 2008 Kia Rondo? Watch the engine and suspension. The 2008 Dodge Durango has fewer reports in those categories, so you'd be trading one set of weak spots for another.

Bottom line: pick based on use case more than the spec sheet. If you tow heavy and don't want to think about it, that's one calculation. If you're a daily driver and want the cheapest path forward, that's another. Both of these will get you down the road. We're just telling you where each one is most likely to break.

— ProblemsByVin editorial team, drawing on the NHTSA data and shop experience.

Side-by-side by problem area

Category
2008 Dodge Durango
2008 Kia Rondo
airbags
24 reports
severe · ~$1,100
16 reports
severe · ~$1,100
fuel system
19 reports
severe · ~$1,200
5 reports
moderate · ~$1,200
steering
8 reports
moderate · ~$700
8 reports
severe · ~$700
engine
5 reports
severe · ~$3,100
10 reports
moderate · ~$3,100
electrical
9 reports
severe · ~$850
No reports
suspension
No reports
9 reports
moderate · ~$900
powertrain
4 reports
moderate · ~$2,500
4 reports
severe · ~$2,500
body
3 reports
moderate · ~$1,500
5 reports
moderate · ~$1,500
cruise control
No reports
8 reports
severe · ~$600
seatbelts
3 reports
moderate · ~$500
No reports

Common questions

Which is more reliable, the 2008 Dodge Durango or the 2008 Kia Rondo?

It's close to a tie. Both vehicles score within 0.2 points on our reliability index (3.9 vs 3.7). At this margin, either choice is defensible — base your decision on the specific failure modes that matter to you.

What goes wrong more often on the 2008 Dodge Durango?

Compared to the 2008 Kia Rondo, the 2008 Dodge Durango sees more reported issues in airbags and fuel system. That doesn't mean it's a bad truck — it means those are the categories worth budgeting for if you go that direction.

What goes wrong more often on the 2008 Kia Rondo?

Compared to the 2008 Dodge Durango, the 2008 Kia Rondo has more complaints in engine and suspension. Whether that's a deal-breaker depends on the cost and severity — see the comparison table above for repair cost ranges.

Which has more recalls?

The 2008 Kia Rondo has more active recalls (2 vs 0). Total count is less important than severity, though — a vehicle with one critical recall and zero moderate ones is generally riskier than one with five moderate recalls.

Is an extended warranty worth it on either of these?

Both vehicles are out of factory bumper-to-bumper coverage at this point. Combined repair exposure across the top problem categories runs around $13,150 on the higher-risk vehicle. A quality service contract typically costs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years, so a single major failure usually pays for the contract. The math favors warranty coverage on whichever vehicle you choose, especially if you plan to keep it past 100,000 miles.

Related comparisons

Reliability scores, complaint counts, and severity ratings derived from the NHTSA public records database. "Repair exposure" is the sum of average independent-shop repair costs across each vehicle's tracked problem categories and is intended as a relative comparison, not an exact prediction. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. Some links on this page are affiliate links.
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