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Kia Rondo Owner Reports

62 messages,  Last post on Oct 01, 2012 at 10:19 AM

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What is this discussion about? Kia Rondo, Wagon

Messages Page 3 of 7

#13 of 62 Re: Kia Rondo Owner Reports [eric51] by conwelpic

Aug 08, 2008 (12:41 pm)

Replying to: eric51 (Aug 08, 2008 11:20 am)
something seriously wrong and not normal, my Rondo is very quiet at all speeds.
 
You didn't say specifically where the noise is coming from and at what speeds it happens? There is procedures in your warranty manual to follow if you are not happy with the results from your dealer.
As this forum is poor for info we don't know whether you are in the US or Canada?
 
I think they are "cracked" if they say the noise is designed into the vehicle. Makes no sense to me either. Also if they are saying this, exactly what specific thing are they referring too?
 
I should also add that I am on a few forums and this is the first reference to this problem I've come across.
 
2008 Rondo EX 2.4L
Ontario, Canada

#14 of 62 Yes, there is wind noise! by newkiaguy1

Sep 05, 2008 (11:00 am)

Hi all,
  Happy new purchasers of a Kia Rondo. (You can see my other post on the "buying experienc" board.
  BUT... there is a wind noise coming from both the driver's and passenger's side windows, audible at speeds > 50 mph (and sometime less).
  I took it into the dealer and they said, unfortunately, that it is typical. I had rented a Rondo that did not exhibit this problem so I challenged them to take me on a test drive of a Rondo that was sitting on their sales lot. It ALSO had this issue.
  I wonder how many customers need to speak up before Kia takes action? The service tech told me that Kia would not ever do a recall unless it was forced to, so they are probably "laying low" and hoping it will fade away.
 
   This is not a deal killer for me...I still like the Kia. But it does mean that the radio will need to be on when I'm on the highway.

#15 of 62 Sorry. Not on my Rondo by garnermike

Sep 05, 2008 (11:40 am)

Replying to: newkiaguy1 (Sep 05, 2008 11:00 am)
No such wind noise from the windows on mine.
Some auto writer reviews of the Rondo that I have read have stated that there is more than average "wind rush" noise from the side windows. I actually listened for it on my test drive, but didn't really detect it. Perhaps I am not noticing because the Rondo generally drives so much more quietly than my Vibe and Miata......

#16 of 62 wind noise by eric51

Sep 05, 2008 (11:45 am)

We bought our Kia in Maine. For us the noise begins at 30 mph. It is difficult to tell where the noise is really coming from. The technicians at the dealership couldn't figure it out. They had to file with Kia's head office for direction. It sounds like it is coming in through the seal at the top of the window. The noise is a high pitch wind noise. Kia's claim is that the noise is generated by wind passing by the driver and passenger outside mirrors. Moving the mirrors or turning them in doesn't change the noise. They stand by their claim that the vehicle is designed to do that. Unfortunately they don't stand behind their product. I have a 5 year bumper to bumper warranty that isn't worth the paper it is written on. I would not recommend a Kia to anyone. Customer service is difficult to deal with. They don't return calls or have any follow through. It took three months of weekly calls for them to put their decision in writing. I have contacted an attorney and the better business bureau. I believe the noise is loud enough to cause permanent hearing damage. I am going to purchase a decibel meter and find out. I bought the Rondo for transporting children. Poor design is no excuse for poor customer service. Kia knows there is a problem but it is cheaper to ignore it and tell unbelievable lies to explain away their mistakes. More disappointed with the response of the company than the car. This problem started the minute we drove off the lot. If they design problems intentionally into the car I can only imagine how much time the car will spend in the shop.

#17 of 62 Re: Hard to figure what you mean by .... [garnermike] by eric51

Sep 05, 2008 (11:55 am)

Replying to: garnermike (Aug 08, 2008 12:24 pm)
Yes like the window is cracked open or not sealed properly. Very annoying any time we go over 30mph. It is loud enough to be heard over the radio.

#18 of 62 wind noise by vanner

Sep 05, 2008 (1:40 pm)

Our '07 EX is so quiet it's sometimes annoying! Honestly, we and others riding in it always remark about the silence, especially for a vehicle in this price range.
 
Now, I gots ta ask: Do those of you with wind noise issues have your crossbars mounted on your racks? I do not.
 
Any of you with whisper-quiet ones using the crossbars?
 
The reason I ask is I have had two vehicles that made just obnoxious noises when the crossbars were mounted. With our '05 Sedona, there was a certain spacing or position of the bars that was very quiet, and some made it noisier then a small jet. Took some playing around.
 
There will be no "recall" on noise issues like this because recalls are for SAFETY issues! They issue recalls when parts fail or fall off or systems act out in ways that cause accidents, or could. Otherwise you have a quality issue, and that may or may not fall under warranty. My bet is it will not since there is no claim made about noise levels.
 
Yes, I know, there are claims made about fuel economy and we all know there are vehicles that don't meet these claims. BUT - the manufacturer boldly advertises and boldly claims that some drivers may NOT get this economy and some vehicles under some conditions may not as well.

#19 of 62 Re: wind noise [vanner] by bgw

Sep 05, 2008 (2:37 pm)

Replying to: vanner (Sep 05, 2008 1:40 pm)
Our 07 EX V6 Luxury does not have the crossbars and is VERY quiet at highway speeds. It's quietness is one of the top reasons why we bought it.
We took a vacation two wks ago and rented a 2008 Town and Country with crossbars (but did not actually use the rack). Now that was a vehicle whose crossbars made an annoying noise!

#20 of 62 Re: wind noise [vanner] by eric51

Sep 05, 2008 (5:57 pm)

Replying to: vanner (Sep 05, 2008 1:40 pm)
We do have the crossbars on. I will have to play around with them to see if that eliminates the noise. I hope so. That would be a great relief.
Thank you for the tip. I will let you know how it turns out.

#21 of 62 Re: wind noise [eric51] by bgw

Sep 28, 2008 (9:20 am)

Replying to: eric51 (Sep 05, 2008 5:57 pm)
Eric51,
Have you been able to eliminate the noise? Did you remove the crossbars?

#22 of 62 Re: wind noise [bgw] by newkiaguy1

Oct 29, 2008 (10:21 am)

Replying to: bgw (Sep 05, 2008 2:37 pm)
The wind noise that *I* hear is from the windows, and definitely not from the crossbars (as my cars doesn't have any).
 
This just might be a design flaw. In recent weeks, I rented a Sedona and that one's window noise was also bad. Our neighbor tells us their Spectrum (or whatever the little car is called) "leaks" on the highway too.
 
I think part of the thing here depends what kind of car you currently drive---we have a Toyota that is really quiet and our Rondo is annoying by comparison. So, if you are used to a truck, then the Rondo is fine. OR...it could be that only some Rondos have this problem.
 
The car is whisper quiet at lower speeds. I suggest any prospective buyer should really test it out thoroughly on the highway before deciding on this car.

Messages Page 3 of 7

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