KiaRondo2008Overview/kia/rondo/2008/base/

2008 Kia Rondo

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 Rondo.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2008 Kia Rondo is a passenger‑car model that requires 4.4 qt of engine oil with a recommended viscosity of 5W‑20 or 5W‑30 API. It was subject to three recalls and generated 97 owner complaints, with air‑bag issues being the most frequently cited problem. Compared with the rest of the 2007‑2011 span, its complaint total sits below the 2007 high of 117 but above the 2011 low of 2, placing it in the middle of the model’s reliability trajectory.

Model year2010200920082007

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 124R · 600 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 124R · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnFUSEOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length179.1 in
Overall width71.7 in
Overall height65 in
Wheelbase106.3 in
Curb weight3450 lb
Track (front / rear)61.4 / 61 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Rondo of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.7–9.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.70 sec — 2007 EX Wagon
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2007EX Wagon 2.7L V68.70 sec16.90 sec182 hpFWD
2007EX Wagon 2.7L V68.90 sec16.80 sec182 hpFWD
2007EX Wagon 2.7L V69.00 sec17.00 sec182 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.4 qt of 5W-20 / 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 · DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 65-80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0-33.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.2
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity10
Brake FluidDOT 3 · DOT 4
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-20 · 5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.4 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs6
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts122-130 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts123-130 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts87-94 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts53-56 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug26.0-32.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0-33.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs13-17 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts65-80 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub145-203 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.61-.82 ohms
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.56-.68 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance5,950-8,050 ohms
Ignition Timing8, Not adjutstable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance5 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity.93-1.04 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity3.72-4.38 oz
Standard BCI Group Number124R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca
Standard BCI Group Number124R

Service checks

Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-19 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature177 °F
Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-19 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature177 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)54.0-56.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)49.0-51.0 psi

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Torque Caliper to Bracket16-23 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle36-43 ft-lbs / 58-72 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.394 in / 1.024 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
113-16 ft. lbs., 9013–16 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
113-16 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90-9413–16 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
111 ft. lbs., Step 2: 20-23 ft. lbs., Step 3: 120-12511 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; coolant every 25,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 25,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Drive Belt Tensioner (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 10,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
At 15,000 miFuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAir Conditioning System (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Disc Brake Caliper (inspect) · Electronic Throttle Control System (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 25,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 30,000 miTiming Belt (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBody Fasteners (inspect) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect)
Every 37,500 miFuel Filter (replace)
At 60,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2008 model recorded 97 federal complaints, three recalls and one investigation, with 19 TSBs, placing it below the 2007 peak of 117 complaints but above the 2009 dip of 72. Compared with the surrounding years, 2008’s complaint count marks the second year of a downward trajectory that began in 2007 and continued through 2009, while its recall count remained unchanged from 2007 and was one higher than 2009. The 2008 complaints were concentrated in air‑bag, fuel/propulsion, suspension and vehicle‑speed‑control categories, accounting for 15, 11, 6 and 5 reports respectively, and included 14 crash‑related reports but no fire reports. The data does not specify a root cause for any of these issues, only the aggregate numbers. Given the continuing decline in complaints and the absence of fire incidents, the 2008 model remains a relatively safer used‑car choice, though buyers should verify that air‑bag and fuel‑system service actions have been performed.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
19
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
97
Owner complaints
14 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 97 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags15
Fuel/Propulsion System11
Suspension6
Vehicle Speed Control5
Fuel System, Gasoline5
Engine4
Unknown Or Other3
Structure3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

12V014000Air Bags:FrontalReported 17/01/2012

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… Remedy: 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…

13V114000Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:SwitchReported 01/04/2013

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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 19 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB_BOD055_R12021-09-13StructureTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This…
PS5392018-03-02Engine And Engine CoolingPITSTOP - ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed…
TSB-GEN085R12017-01-18EquipmentTSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners…
TSB-GEN0852016-11-04Latches/Locks/LinkagesTSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners…
PS4432016-04-04Electrical SystemTSB - USE OF AFTERMARKET USB CHARGING CABLES IN USB/12V PORTS - This article provides…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Rondo. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2008 Rondo take?

4.4 qt of 5W-20 OR 5W-30 API SM, per the factory manual.

Does the 2008 Rondo have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.