When it is raining or after rain if there are still puddles in the road, when the car goes through any puddles the steering locks up for at least 45 seconds. I had my daughter learning how to drive and this happened to her. I should not have to worry about putting my child at risk like this especially with the price of this car. I've had the power steering pump replaced and it still does this. My ESC light has been on since I got the car. So any time I hit the smallest bump or when trying to stop on a bumpy road or on snow or ice, the car locks up. The brakes go out and its like everything in the car locks up for a few seconds. It is terrifying especially when trying to stop at a light. I have never in my life experienced so many issues in a vehicle before owning a kia rondo. I have had the whole front end suspension replaced, new tires and rims and a month later the car is wobbling again.
Kia Rondo steering lock-up problems
11 of the 297 owner complaints about the Kia Rondo describe steering wheel locks up, most of them for the 2009 model year.
- owner complaints
- 11
- worst model year
- 2009
- typical mileage
- 100,000
By model year
- 200910
- 20081
Often reported together
What owners say
While driving in the rain, the steering wheel locks and the brake light and battery light come on. The car remains on. I could be driving straight or trying to turn. It lasts at least 10-30 seconds making it very dangerous to drive.
Passing through water puddles or driving in the rain the steering locks up. I had the power steering belt replaced but the problem still exists. I had it lock up while making turns. It's very dangerous.
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.
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 failure mileage was 85,000.
2009 kia rondo - 115,000 miles. For the past 2-3 months, the steering locks up when I go through rain puddles, first making a loud noise underneath, then loosing power. Two lights appear on the dashboard. I have found if I turn off the air conditioner, the problem corrects itself. This has to be associated with the air conditioner or air compressor. We just went through tropical storm hermine and this was a constant problem. Something needs to be done by the dealer - such as a recall to get this fixed before the car crashes and I have no control.
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 approximately 100,000. Updated 1/15/16
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 kia rondo. While driving at approximately 5 MPH through a puddle of water, the steering wheel seized without warning. The contact stated that this was a recurring failure. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the power steering belt failed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.
Everytime it rains or I go over a puddle my power steering locks up on me and I cant move the steering wheel. I have read so many stories of this happening to other rondos like mine.. Why has this not been recalled yet??? I almost get in a wreck everytime it rains!! This is absolutely crazy that it has not had a recall yet!!!!
This started on 10/2012, and has been happening whenever I tried to drive in rain since. Ive had to wait to try to see what is wrong because I couldnt afford to do anything about it . It was raining outside and I left my home to go to the store and went to turn the corner and there was a very loud grinding noise and the steering wheel froze, just completely seized on me and I drove right into the curb opposite the road. I had a child in the car with me and it was terrifying! Now, I cannot drive at all in the rain or even if there's puddles on the road! I see that there's others that have had this same issue, even some having wrecks on the freeway! Why isnt this a recall issue!? It is hurricane season here, and its been near impossible to make an appointment at the dealer with all the rain every day, nor do they allow you to just drop off your car and leave it unless its towed in which I cannot do. I am terrified to drive my own car and dont have a lot of money to fix it since im on disability. Please help
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Kia Rondo steering lock-up
Which Kia Rondo years have steering wheel locks up problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2009 (10 complaints) and 2008 (1 complaints).
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