KiaRondo2009Overview/kia/rondo/2009/base/

2009 Kia Rondo

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2009 Rondo.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2009 Kia Rondo is a passenger car, and its engine calls for 4.4 quarts of 5W-20 or 5W-30 API oil. Within the 2007–2011 model run, the 2009 model accumulated 72 total owner complaints—between the 117 recorded for 2007 and the 2 recorded for 2011—with steering representing the top complaint area and two recalls on file. That intermediate volume places the 2009 Rondo in the middle of the model’s complaint trajectory, indicating fewer reported problems than the earliest years but significantly more than the final production period.

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 firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

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
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts14-17 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts29-33 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22-25 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 Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)55.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)49.0-51.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance13.8-15.2 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Injector Primary Resistance13.8-15.2 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression164-185 PSI. 15 Maximum variation 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
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
125.3 ft. lbs.25.3 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees90 degrees
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
13-4 ft. lbs., step 2: 14-173–4 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 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (replace)
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 2009 Kia Rondo represents a notable inflection point in its generation, with complaints dropping to 72 from the higher levels seen in 2007 (117) and 2008 (97), suggesting early build-quality issues were being addressed. While recalls decreased slightly from three in prior years to two, investigations remained steady at one, and Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) rose to 28—indicating Kia was actively refining the model rather than facing new systemic defects. Compared to 2010 and 2011, where complaints plummeted to single digits, the 2009 model still carries a moderate risk, particularly in steering (16 complaints) and airbag systems (11), though crash-related complaints (5) and no reported fire incidents mitigate some concern. The data implies Kia had begun stabilizing the platform by 2009 but had not yet achieved the near-flawless reliability of later years. For a used buyer, the 2009 Rondo is a *marginally* better choice than its predecessors but lags behind the significantly improved 2010–2011 models—proceed only with a thorough pre-purchase inspection and verified service history.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
28
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
72
Owner complaints
5 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 72 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Steering16
Air Bags11
Seat Belts4
Steering,Service Brakes3
Fuel/Propulsion System3
Suspension2
Electrical System2
Steering,Air Bags2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

08V459000Fuel System, Gasoline:StorageReported 11/09/2008

KIA IS RECALLING 6,680 MY 2008-2009 RONDO LX AND EX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.4 LITER ENGINE. THE FUEL PUMP MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY RESULTING IN NOT ENOUGH FUEL GETTING TO THE ENGINE. POOR ENGINE STARTING, ENGINE… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP SUB-ASSEMBLY WITH AN IMPROVED PART. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 22, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.

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 28 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB_BOD055_R12021-09-13StructureTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This…
TSB_CHA021_CLSD2021-05-19StructureTSB_CHA021_CLOSED: TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN CLOSED
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…

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 2009 Rondo take?

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

Does the 2009 Rondo have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.