Head-to-head reliability
KIA Rondo vs FORD F 150
How the KIA Rondo and FORD F 150 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
KIA Rondo vs FORD F 150: The Rondo averages 29.7 complaints per year with 11 recalls, while the F-150 averages 1,131.1 complaints per year with 145 recalls. The Rondo's top issues are steering and air bags; the F-150's are power train and electrical. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the KIA Rondo or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
KIA Rondo
The KIA Rondo is a compact people mover that averages about 30 complaints per year, with 11 recalls over a decade. Owners frequently report steering that locks up after hitting puddles, air bags that fail to deploy in crashes, and engine stalling that can seize the power steering. These patterns suggest that wet-weather driving and crash protection are the main reliability concerns for buyers.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup that generates roughly 1,131 complaints per year, with 145 recalls over ten years. The most common issues involve the transmission shifting harshly or losing power, electrical glitches such as camera and pre-collision warnings, and various lighting problems. While the volume is high, it reflects the truck's huge popularity; still, the frequency of powertrain complaints is notable.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | KIA Rondo | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 297 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 11 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 33 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 29.7 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 24 Better | 287 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
KIA Rondo
- 01STEERING50
- 02AIR BAGS50
- 03ENGINE42
- 04SERVICE BRAKES41
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM31
Owners report that driving through puddles causes the steering to lock up for up to 45 seconds, making the vehicle hard to control. This is a serious safety concern, especially in wet conditions.
In multiple crashes, the air bags failed to deploy, including a rollover where only passenger-side bags deployed. This raises questions about the reliability of the air bag system in a collision.
Complaints describe engine stalling while driving, which also causes the power steering to seize. This sudden loss of power and steering assist can be dangerous in traffic.
Some reports link brake issues to the same wet-weather steering lock-up, suggesting a possible electrical or hydraulic fault. Buyers should be aware that braking performance may be affected in rain.
“EVERY TIME I GO THROUGH A SMALL PUDDLE I LOSE CONTROL OF STEERING THE VEHICLE. IT HAS HAPPENED BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY NUMEROUS TIMES, LASTS A FEW MINUTES AND THEN I REGAIN CONTROL OF STEERING. FORTUNATELY, IT'S HAPPENED ON MY STREET FOR THE MOST PART. LAS…”
“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 PU…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
Owners frequently report hard or delayed shifts, especially between 7th and 8th gears, and instances where the truck loses all power and shuts off. These transmission problems can leave a driver stranded or cause sudden deceleration.
Complaints include warnings like 'Front Camera Malfunction' and 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available' appearing on start-up, as well as loud bangs from the transmission. These electrical glitches can disable safety features and are often hard to diagnose.
There are numerous complaints about exterior lighting, including headlights and brake lights, which may fail or malfunction. This affects visibility and signaling, increasing crash risk.
Engine-related complaints are less common than transmission issues but still present, with some reports of stalling or poor performance. Regular maintenance checks are advised.
“I started noticing hard and delayed shifts from 7th into 8th gear. My RPM's were not increasing when this happened, and then on a very crowded major road I lost all power, vehicle shut off and drifted, then started up and jerked again very hard. This failure…”
“I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I experienced with my 2020 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission. While driving normally, the transmission shifts hard (ie: jerks, clunks) between 4-5 and 5-6 gears, and has on occasion…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
KIA Rondo — 11 recalls
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may…
The risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14…
The defect: 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 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 201…
The risk: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved…
The fix: 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, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's…
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may…
The risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14…
The defect: 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 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 201…
The risk: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved…
The fix: 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, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's…
FORD F 150 — 145 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 trucks equipped with high series LED headlamps with Autolamp (On/Off) functionality. The Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) may remain activated instead of dimming to parking lamps when the Master Lighting Switch (MLS) is manually rotated from…
The risk: DRL that cannot dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module, free of charge. The recall began March 10, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C03.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 F-150 vehicles. The fastener securing the Power Distribution Box (PDB) 12V cable and Battery Monitoring System (BMS) eyelets to the positive battery terminal may loosen and affect the vehicle's systems such as instrument panel displays and br…
The risk: Inoperative vehicle systems or an engine stall can increase the risk of a crash. Reduced braking and steering efforts increases the risk of a crash. This condition could also create a resistive short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the positive battery cable/BMS/PDB joint for excess sealant adhesive and remove any excessive adhesive, reassemble the joint, and retorque the fastener, as necessary, free of charge. The re…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causin…
The risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also…
The risk: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's num…
Buyer analysis
KIA Rondo or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The KIA Rondo has far fewer complaints per year (about 30) compared to the Ford F-150 (over 1,100), but the Rondo's issues often involve critical safety systems like steering and air bags. The F-150's higher volume means more reported problems, but many are powertrain and electrical glitches that may be addressed with repairs. In practice, the Rondo may have fewer overall issues, but the ones it has can be severe.
Key differences
- The KIA Rondo has about 30 complaints per year, while the Ford F-150 has over 1,100, but the Rondo's complaints often involve steering lock-up and air bag failure.
- Ford F-150 owners frequently report transmission problems like harsh shifting and power loss, whereas Rondo owners report engine stalling that seizes the power steering.
- The Rondo has 11 recalls over 10 years, while the F-150 has 145, indicating a much higher recall rate for the truck.
- Air bag non-deployment is a reported issue for the Rondo, while the F-150's electrical complaints often involve driver-assist features like cameras and pre-collision warnings.
- Test the steering in wet conditions or after driving through puddles to see if it locks up or becomes hard to turn.
- Ask if the air bags have ever been inspected or replaced, and check for any recall work related to the air bag system.
- Test drive the truck at various speeds and pay attention to transmission shifting, especially between 7th and 8th gears, for jerks or delays.
- Check for any dashboard warnings related to the front camera or pre-collision assist, and ensure all electrical features work properly.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website for both models.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the steering system and air bags on the KIA Rondo, and the transmission and electrical system on the Ford F-150.
- During a test drive, specifically drive through puddles (for the Rondo) or at highway speeds (for the F-150) to replicate reported conditions.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially any transmission repairs or software updates for the F-150.
- Verify that all safety recalls have been addressed by a dealer, and get written confirmation.
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific KIA Rondo or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- KIA Rondo vs FORD F 150
- KIA Rondo total complaints
- 297
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- KIA Rondo total recalls
- 11
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- KIA Rondo avg complaints/year
- 29.7
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- KIA Rondo
- KIA Rondo top complaint area
- STEERING
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN