The contact owns a 2008 Kia Rondo. While driving approximately 30 mph in the rain, the steering lost power without warning. The vehicle was coasted to the side of the road and restarted after the water drained. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the splash guards were not keeping the water off the belts. The mechanic further diagnosed that the splash guards needed to be replaced by the manufacturer. The local dealer was made aware of the failure and stated that nothing could be done. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 108,000.

- Lakeline, OH, USA

During an inspection of the undercarriage on my Kia, an auto mechanic informed me that my oil pan had rusted through and engine oil was seeping through the metal. The cost of parts and labor for a replacement is approximately $250. The service manager of the auto repair garage stated that in his experience this was not an uncommon problem with some Kia and Hyundai models. In my opinion, this is a major manufacturing defect. That is, the metal used to manufacture a critical part on the engine (mine is 2.4 liter/4 cylinder) is defective either in composition or gauge. I've owned vehicles for over 40 years and, prior to this, I've never heard of an oil pan rusting through. As background, I purchased this vehicle new. I'm retired and I do not drive regularly (no commute). Although I live in Maine where road salt is used liberally on roads, I have avoided driving in winter storms whenever possible.

- Yarmouth, ME, USA

The car vibrates and makes loud noise when rolling down any of the rear windows.,

- Lawrenceville, GA, USA

My wife and I recently bought a brand new Kia Rondo with 18 miles on it. We paid cash for the vehicle in order to avoid expensive interest payments. While driving the car home for the first time my wife noticed that the windows make a whistling noise like the window is cracked open. Any time the vehicle is driven over 30 mph the noise can be heard. The very next day my wife made an appointment to have it looked at. The dealership couldn't tell what was wrong with it so they opened a case with Kia. After 3 months of going back and forth with the dealership and Kia they told us that the noise wasn't a defect but part a characteristic of the model and that it is not a substantial impairment to the value, safety, or use. The brochure on the Rondo claims that the Rondo "is equipped with a range of structural and technological refinements that reduce cabin noise and road vibration to deliver a quiet ride." I can hear the wind noise over the radio. Needless to say my wife and I are very upset. My wife hates the car that we bought for her to drive. We are concerned because they can't determine what is causing the noise. We also have two children under two and the recent link between autism and white noise makes us fearful of placing them in the car.

- Pittsfield, ME, USA