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Although, I don't think its a production batch problem because there are some 2007s with the same problem I am going to post my VIN # and production date on the first post of this thread. If you care to post yours, PM me the info and I will add it to the first post.
Didn't Graeme Fletcher, the guy who does automobile test drives on the Motoring 2007 (now 2008) TV show and a columnist for a Toronto-based newspaper (can't remember the name of the publication), end up buying a V-6 Rondo for himself?? I wonder if it wouldn't be worthwhile for someone to send him a copy of this thread. Who knows, maybe his Rondo has the same problem.
Kia Canada may be more responsive to the "pulling to the right problem" that some people are having with their Rondos if someone in the media brought it to their attention. I realize that it may be "a shot in the dark", but then again, it might just work.
A while back while watching an episode of Motoring 2007 you were doing a review of the 2007 Kia Rondo. Your review was favorable and one that helped me in my purchasing decision. I purchased a 2008 Kia Rondo EX V6 seven passenger model in October 2007. I noted in that episode that you liked the Rondo so much that you purchased it. As an Rondo owner and a car analyst I thought I would seek your feedback.
Since day one I have noticed that our Rondo pulls to the right. I took it back to our dealer to have it corrected with less than 500kms on it. Over 7,000kms and three months later the problem is still not resolved after four trips and two different dealers attempting to correct it. They have been finding that the camber settings are not within specs which are causing the pulling problem. However, I was told the camber and caster settings on the Rondo are fixed and cannot be adjusted. I have a meeting with the regional Kia representative next week to discuss the problem.
I am a senior member of an on line Kia owners’ forum where there has been a lengthy discussion on this problem by other owners. If you wish you can review them here:
You will see that it is almost exclusively V6 owners that are complaining about this issue. I know the Rondo model you purchased was V6 model. I believe it was the Luxury model. I would appreciate your feedback as Rondo owner and car expert. Do you find your Rondo pulls to the right? Have you had the problem but since had it resolved? If so, what was done? This is the kind of information that I can pass on to the technicians at my local Kia dealer to help in solving my problem.
Your feedback and influence would be invaluable to aiding us in finding a solution to this problem. I appreciate any time that you take from your busy schedule to address my concern and e-mail. I have copied Bill Gardiner this e-mail as well as his feedback as a technician would also be very valuable to us. I know Mr. Gardiner often addresses viewer’s e-mails. If you happen to feature this on a future episode, please let me know so I can set my PVR."
I'm amazed the camber isn't adjustable. I just looked at the online shop manual and sure enough, the 2 bolts that attach the strut to the knuckle look to be ordinary bolts; there is NO mention of using one to adjust camber as on Chrysler and Buick (and my little old Fiesta World Car) FWDs that I have worked on for 30 years!
I do notice that the lower arm is made in 2 pieces; the outer end is attached to the inner end with 3 bolts. If this slid in and out, it would provide camber adjustment, but there is no mention of it in the shop manual.
I do hope the mechanics have a better manual than the on-line one.
Aside from there being no camber and caster adjustment what truly amazes me is that these vehicles are being delivered to dealers and the alignment is out of spec. Most owners are complaining that their Rondo pulled from day 1, as did mine. That means that the alignment, straight from the factory, was out of spec. Where's the quality control?????????????
according to the PDI certification that I downloaded from KIA there is six sections that they go through:
A: Pre-Inspection
B: Interior Inspection
C: Exterior Inspection
D. Under Hood
E. Under Vehicle
F. Road Test - one of the checks listed states: "Check steering operation (vehicle pull, vibration, steering wheel centered)"
__________________ Mileage: 21,200 km (13,200 miles), Ownership: 13 months
Hi and thank-you for your reply....Our Rondo has been pulling to the right since day one......I have had it for one year and a couple days. I have had them do a front end allignment...and it still pulls to the right. The Kia dealer said when it is transported on the truck, sometimes the vehicle is tightened down to tight and the front end goes out of allignment.....It is much more noticeable in hightway driving then it is in city driving....
Has anyone having problems taen their Rondo to a reliable shop that actually specializes in suspensions and has a good computer test jig. Guys that work on race cars or someone of that ilk; not the $10 a wheel brake shops.
At least you'd have a second and more reliable opinion.
Also, are you guys with the pulling having abnormal tire wear; I'd think this would soon show up.
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