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ESC light off on going problem

48K views 25 replies 15 participants last post by  techgirl 
#1 ·
I have seen a few a few posts regarding this but no fix has resolved my issue. I bought my 07 Rondo new and now have 55,000KM on it. From about 8000KM (2.5years) is have had the issue of my ESC light off coming on by itself and then the check engine. The issue only happens in the summer months and I learnt the hard way during a 4000KM trip is also affects the cruise control. Needless to say I am on my 3rd dealership and just finished my 13 trip to get this resolved. So far they have changed.
- Put silicone on some sensors
- Replaced sensors
- Brake switch (twice)
- Unhooked all the electrical and reconnected
- Replaced the ABS computer and assembly
- Changed the fuse box and all the relays
- The latest is the main computer (had loaner for 2 weeks)
Not to knock on the dealership because they were nice and were following the Kia Engineers advise but Kia head office wasted about a month of my life refusing to accept to change the main computer because of the cost even though the mechanic suspected it. Not to say this is the fix because just got my car back yesterday and since this problem only happens when it’s 25 Celsius or hotter I will have to wait. Being a 2nd time Kia owner and the that I had had this issue now for 2.5 years I wrote the head office a complaint and in:mad: typical head office fashion I got a so sorry we have wasted so much of your time, we have to honour the warranty and will continue to work to fix it because it’s the law. Anyhow enough with the venting I’ll remember there poor response when I buy my future vehicles. The goal was to post the issue for anyone else in case they have encountered the same problem.
 
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#2 ·
I wonder if they (KIA service) at least tried to think about the whole process of ESC activation or they simply started replacing parts to see what will happen... like it was with my case.

Anyway, ESC detects how fast the wheels are spinning, right? So, is there any particular situation, anything in common when it gets activated? Straight road? Bump? Rain? Low/high speed? Cold/hot engine...

What could trigger it is for instance dirt, voltage drop... Of course, computer fault too, but I am not 100% convinced that this would be the only issue the computer had (if the computer fails, many weird things would happen).


Keep us updated... and if you could - add info to your profile, please.
 
#3 ·
I have an 08 Rondo with V6. I have gotten this warning light as well BUT NEVER while driving only when starting the car up. I just shut it off and restart it and the light is gone.

Seems KIA must use WINDOZE operating system to manage its controls:lol:

BTW, I have only had my blower fans run full blast only TWICE since getting the vehicle, glad that one stopped and of course, the dealer says 'it has to be happening in order for us to find it' yeah right.

Hope you get your problem solved.
 
#4 ·
My 07 Ex V6 has the same problem the ESC light comes on for no reason...stays on while driving even if you push the dash switch nothing happens..Turn the car off and restart it and it goes off...I never had taken it to the dealer for this as I know they will tell me it working fine. So I live with it from time to time.
 
#5 ·
We had a similar problem about 2 years ago with ours. Kia fixed it under warranty and it has been fine ever since. Something about a sensor or switch as I recall. I can try to look back in our records to see what items were replaced if it helps any.
 
#7 ·
Like I mentioned above you probably have a recall on your vehicle. Try going to the dealership once and awhile, they check those things when you bring it in for service. One of the advantages of bringing your vehicle to the dealership.

I totally understand why people do not go to the delaership. Check out my blog.....
 
#6 ·
yvmor - Very unfortunate you have had so many issue's. I can tell you that here in the USA they recalled the Brake light switch which causes that issues (also if the rear brake lamp bulbs are burned out it will cause this issue). I can tell you that even afater doing the recall we would have several vehicles come back at least ywice and we would have to replace the brake light switch again!! Go figure, a brake light switch if you have seen one is a pretty simple device. Either way we had at least 3 people come back 3 times and finally the switch fix it. I think they are missing something really basic, have never heard or seen of your issue. Makes no sense to be honest. I would call KIA again and demand that they send out a engineer to look at toyu vehicle. If you insist they should do it especially with all the repairs they have done on that vehicle. Either that or go to what ever goverment agancy you have where you are from and compain to them. Someone will do something eventually, I would hope!!
 
#8 ·
I have had the ESC light come on about four or five times in the 3 1/2 years that I have owned the car. It always goes away within two or three days, if that long. I also had a check engine light once that I took to the Firestone dealer where I have my usual work done. He used his scan tool and told me what it said that the problem was, and that I should take it to the KIA dealer. I asked him to reset the light and that I would take it to the dealer if it returned. It has not returned in over a year. I also have had spurious TPMS lights on a few occasions (the tires were normal pressure). I think that the computer is subject to external noise spikes. I am not going to drive a 50 mile round trip to the dealer to find out that there is no problem. It would be interesting to know if a replacement computer helps.
 
#9 · (Edited)
Kia does not have to many issues with their ECU's they are faily dependable. As for not going to the dealer maybe try calling them. You happen to have 3 possible recalls on that vehicle, one for brk light switch (that would explain you ESC light coming on and just so you know it will cause your brake lights to be inopertive, possible accident waiting to happen), one for a wheel speed sensor issue (can cause ABS brakes to go inop) and a airbag module recall - The recalls are SC069, 071 and 077. If you are not willing to drive to the dealer then maybe call them and find out if any of these apply. Wonder why the firestone guy did not know this....Sometimes it is worth the trip to the dealer, unless they are a crappy dealer they happen to know more about your vehicle then firestone. Would you drive 50 miles to go to your doctor??

As for the TPMS sensor these can be pretty sensative. They are prone to some interferance (you will know it is interferance because it will always happen when you drive by the same place all the time). Tire pressures do fluxuate with hot and cold temps (not just outside temps but tire temp as you drive). So if the outside temp is much lower then the temp that you set the tire pressure at you may see the light come on. I suggest putting 2 psi more air then what it states on the door. Rondos I believe are recommended at 30psi (you need to verify). I would set between 32 and 34. You will get better wear on the tires at these pressures anyways. The lower tire pressure gives you a little better handling but in my opinion 2 to 4 psi will not be very noticable (it will also slightly increase fuel mileage).

Last thing is your service engine light. Eventually that light may catch up with you depending on what is coding up. You have a warranty, us it. If you wait and the vehicle goes out of warranty KIA will not care that it has been going on and off for the last 3 years. The trip may be worth it because down the road that check engine light may cost you a couple hundred dollars. It is up to you in the long run but you do have a warranty you might as well take advantage of it. There happens to be a couple updated programs for the service engine light that once again may apply to your vehicle. These will not be covered under warranty when the warranty goes out and Firestone can't do them for you and they obviously do not know about them either (and if they did the would tell you to go to the dealer like they already have, why waist your "time" with them).

Just trying to give you some good advise and help you get the most out of your vehicle...

:whistling:
 
#10 ·
Regarding my last post, I have the following update.

I looked back in our paperwork and found Kia fixed our problem by following the corrective action outlined in their recall number RC072. Where I live it is Transport Canada Recall #2009140.

Seeing that you have had your vehicle to the dealership several times, I can't imagine that they haven't done this fix for you. I hope you get your problem resolved.
 
#12 ·
Well the Computer replacement has not solved my problem, the ESC and check engine light both came on 24 hours later. AS for recalls I have have the dealership check on those and they have been done. The dealship has been working with so called Engineers at Kia. Let's see what other parts they plan on changing. THis is my 2nd kia and last kia!!!!!
:(
 
#15 ·
engine check light.

I had a problem on my 07 carens/rondo at about 50,000kms/32,000miles when the engine check light was either flashing or on constant. Kia mechanic tried everything, changing sensors and re-generating the computer and these solutions worked for a few days and then the problem returned. Thanks to Kia forums someone suggested that Kia change the "diesel particulate filter" and I put this to my mechanic and he tried it. It did the job and I now have 160,000kms on the clock and not a bother. I drive my carens as a taxi in Dublin city so it gets driven hard. Obviously this was for a diesel carens. I would warn anyone who may need this job done to get it done under warranty as replacement here in Ireland would have been about 3000euro. I don't know the $ equivelant but I'm sure it's not cheap. And make sure as I did, you get a warranty on the new part. Tedser.
 
#19 ·
Spent the day at the Dealer they replaced the Stop lamp / clutch Switch...also I complained about a ticking noise at slow speeds and they ordered me a new A.C compressor /clutch plate & Hub sounds wierd to me I thought it was the valves..Also I complained about the 65 mph steering wheel jitter and they Balanced my wheels for free and its pretty good now.
 
#21 ·
I have dealt with all kinds of major electrical issues in all KIA's and have only been beat once. Another member said it earlier, I think something is being missed. Tech support is good, but they are only able to help diagnose with the info the tech gives them, so, if the tech doesnt care (cause he is not being paid to diag), or if he doesnt understand what he is doing, then he may feed tech support inaccurate info. A check engine light code would really help, I may be able to offer some suggestions.
 
#22 ·
Just bought a Rondo UN MY11 Si 5 speed manual. On the home drive from the lot, I noticed a problem on a freeway. The car seemed to lose all power. Shifting down to a lower gear did nothing. Eventually it righted itself. Same problem persisted, which was very worrying. It turned out that the breaks were coming on. The ESP light came on (I assume it is the same as the ESC.) even when I tried to disengage it. Took it back to the dealer after only 225 kilometres and 6 days. It took them two days to work out the problem. The ABS module was shot. The brakes were being applied indepedently of anything that I did.

They had never seen it before! Just my luck. They have to order the part from somewhere or another. It may take 2-14 days to get it. They just don't know. At least they have supplied me with a courtesy car, but this does not seem like it is necessarily standard procedure with them.

Has anyone else experienced a similar problem with their Rondo?
 
#25 ·
I have a 2008 Rondo. The ESC off light came on along with the Check Engine light. Soon afterwards I tried the Cruise control and that didn't work either. After reading through the posts I decided to order a Brake light switch and try to fix it myself. I changed out the switch this afternoon and all my idiot lights went away. The fix is the brake light switch. I bought the switch on Amazon for 9 dollars. I hate to think what the shop would have charged me for the work and that's assuming they even get it right the first time. Download Kia Safety recall campaign technical service bulletin SC077 before your replace just so you get the gaps correct.
 
#26 ·
I've had a problem with the ESC light coming on periodically when I'm driving down a long hill. It goes off after restarting the car but I have had them look at it 8 times now. The brake switch seemed to work (for about a week) then the problem has returned. It's at the shop again as we speak so we'll see what they do.
 
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