NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
358 reports94,000 miles · Dec 3, 2014
EngineFuel/propulsion System
ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN FUEL WARNING LIGHT CAME ON EVEN THOUGH I HAD A LEAST 1/2 TANK OF GAS. FILLED UP MY GAS TANK, ALL LIGHTS WERE OUT. WHEN I HAD APPROXIMATELY 1/2 TANK AGAIN, THE ENGINE AND FUEL LIGHTS CAME ON. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THE 2 FUEL SENSORS NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $350…
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ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN FUEL WARNING LIGHT CAME ON EVEN THOUGH I HAD A LEAST 1/2 TANK OF GAS. FILLED UP MY GAS TANK, ALL LIGHTS WERE OUT. WHEN I HAD APPROXIMATELY 1/2 TANK AGAIN, THE ENGINE AND FUEL LIGHTS CAME ON. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THE 2 FUEL SENSORS NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $350.00. UPON ONLINE RESEARCHING, I LEARNED THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT BECAUSE THIS IS HAPPENING TO OTHER HYUNDAI OWNERS, IT IS A PROBLEM THAT HYUNDAI NEEDS TO REPAIR AT NO COST TO THE OWNER OF THESE VEHICLES. IN MY CASE, I NEED TO BE REIMBURSE THE COST OF THE REPAIR. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10661970
58,600 miles · Nov 11, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System
ENGINE AND FUEL WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AND OFF SPORADICALLY, AND THE GAS GAUGE SHOWS THE TANK IS EMPTY EVEN AFTER WE FILLED IT. THIS HAPPENS REGARDLESS OF THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE GAS TANK, AND IT MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO KNOW THE ACTUAL AMOUNT OF GASOLINE IN THE VEHICLE. WE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER TODAY AND WAS TOLD THE 2 FUEL…
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ENGINE AND FUEL WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AND OFF SPORADICALLY, AND THE GAS GAUGE SHOWS THE TANK IS EMPTY EVEN AFTER WE FILLED IT. THIS HAPPENS REGARDLESS OF THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE GAS TANK, AND IT MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO KNOW THE ACTUAL AMOUNT OF GASOLINE IN THE VEHICLE. WE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER TODAY AND WAS TOLD THE 2 FUEL SENSORS NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $600. WHEN WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW WE ALSO PURCHASED A MAINTENANCE PROGRAM, BUT, OF COURSE, THE FUEL SENSORS ARE EXCLUDED FROM COVERAGE. UPON DOING ONLINE RESEARCH WE LEARNED THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME PROBLEM. WE FEEL THAT BECAUSE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER HYUNDAI OWNERS IT MAY BE A PROBLEM THAT HYUNDAI NEEDS TO REPAIR AT NO COST TO THE OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10654257
62,269 miles · Nov 11, 2014
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE SLOWED WITHOUT WARNING ON FREEWAY AT FREEWAY SPEED, THEN WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. WENT TO IDLE MODE. BEFORE SLOWDOWN, HAD MILD SURGING AT SPEED. PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AT TPS OR THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. PROBLEM WITH SAME SENSOR REPORTED TO HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP PREVIOUS, DIAGNOSED AS LOOSE CONNECTION REPORTED FROM PERIODIC SU…
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VEHICLE SLOWED WITHOUT WARNING ON FREEWAY AT FREEWAY SPEED, THEN WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. WENT TO IDLE MODE. BEFORE SLOWDOWN, HAD MILD SURGING AT SPEED. PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AT TPS OR THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. PROBLEM WITH SAME SENSOR REPORTED TO HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP PREVIOUS, DIAGNOSED AS LOOSE CONNECTION REPORTED FROM PERIODIC SURGING WHILE DRIVING. AFTER RECENT PROBLEM WITH ALTERNATOR, WHICH REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF PART, WITHIN ONE WEEK, TPS PARTIALLY FAILED. FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AS KIA DEALERSHIP (SISTER COMPANY TO HYUNDAI) WHEN UNDERWENT FIRST REPAIR. FAILURE REQUIRED HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP TO BE TOLD EXACT PROBLEM, WHEREBY THEY CONFIRMED DIAGNOSIS. PART REQUIRED REPLACEMENT WITH SOFTWARE UPDATES. PART PROBLEM LEADING TO FAILURE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED UNDER FIRST ROUND OF TESTING, AND UNDER FIRST REPAIR A WEEK PRIOR. PARTS UNPREDICTABLE FAILURE IS BELIEVED TO PRESENT A SIGNIFICANT RISK WHILE VEHICLE IS OPERATING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10654195
85,000 miles · Nov 11, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System
LOW FUEL INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON AND GAS GAUGE READS EMPTY AFTER RECENT FILL UP, THEN IT SLOWLY RISES TO FULL, INDICATOR LIGHT THEN GOES OUT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, ABOUT 20 MILES LATER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES OUT AND GAS GAUGE RESPONDS CORRECTLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, CURRENTLY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS OFF. …
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LOW FUEL INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON AND GAS GAUGE READS EMPTY AFTER RECENT FILL UP, THEN IT SLOWLY RISES TO FULL, INDICATOR LIGHT THEN GOES OUT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, ABOUT 20 MILES LATER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES OUT AND GAS GAUGE RESPONDS CORRECTLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, CURRENTLY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS OFF. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10654178
104,356 miles · Nov 9, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System
FUEL LIGHT WAS ON. FILLED GAS TANK. FUEL LIGHT REMAINED ON AND FUEL GAGE DID NOT RISE TO FULL. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER DRIVING 20+ MILES THE FUEL GAGE ROSE BUT DROPS RAPIDLY. THE FUEL LIGHT WILL GO ON AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF. HYUNDAI DEALER SAYS THEY KNOW IT IS AN ISSUE BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED.…
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FUEL LIGHT WAS ON. FILLED GAS TANK. FUEL LIGHT REMAINED ON AND FUEL GAGE DID NOT RISE TO FULL. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER DRIVING 20+ MILES THE FUEL GAGE ROSE BUT DROPS RAPIDLY. THE FUEL LIGHT WILL GO ON AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF. HYUNDAI DEALER SAYS THEY KNOW IT IS AN ISSUE BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. THE DANGER ARISES IF I FAIL TO RESET THE MILEAGE AND SHOULD RUN OUT OF GAS WITHOUT WARNING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10653742
20,000 miles · Nov 6, 2014
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED DUE TO CORROSION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN EXPLAINED THAT DUE TO THE COLD WEATHER, THE CALIPERS AND BRACKETS CORRODED AND JAMMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPRO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED DUE TO CORROSION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN EXPLAINED THAT DUE TO THE COLD WEATHER, THE CALIPERS AND BRACKETS CORRODED AND JAMMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10653052
74,938 miles · Oct 25, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control
I ENTERED A LIMITED ACCESS HIGHWAY AND BEGAN TO ACCELERATE TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC WHEN THE CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE WILDLY WITH NO CONTROL OVER SPEED. I TRIED TO BRAKE THE CAR BUT IT KEPT ACCELERATING. I PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL AND ENGINE WAS OVER-REVVING FRIGHTENINGLY SO I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION.I FELT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL COME UP O…
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I ENTERED A LIMITED ACCESS HIGHWAY AND BEGAN TO ACCELERATE TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC WHEN THE CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE WILDLY WITH NO CONTROL OVER SPEED. I TRIED TO BRAKE THE CAR BUT IT KEPT ACCELERATING. I PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL AND ENGINE WAS OVER-REVVING FRIGHTENINGLY SO I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION.I FELT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL COME UP OFF THE FLOOR AND TAP THE SOLE OF MY RIGHT FOOT. AT THIS POINT I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SHOULDER AND PUT ON MY 4 WAY FLASHERS. I ESTIMATE MY TOP SPEED TO BE ABOUT 75 MPH DURING THIS INCIDENT. FORTUNATELY I DID NOT CONTACT ANY OTHER VEHICLES OR OBJECTS. MY WIFE WAS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. AFTER A FEW MINUTES,I RESTARTED THE CAR AND IT BEHAVED NORMALLY. WHEN I REACHED HOME I CALLED THE DEALER AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10649956
73,500 miles · Sep 30, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FUEL GAUGE READING FLUCTUATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SENDER ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILUR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FUEL GAUGE READING FLUCTUATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SENDER ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,500.
NHTSA ODI #10640122
67,000 miles · Sep 28, 2014
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
I WAS LEAVING TO GO TO WORK, MY HUSBAND WALKED ME OUT OF OUR HOUSE SAYING GOODBYE, I WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY, TURNED MY WHEEL TO GO AROUND OUR OTHER CAR, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE SANTA FE FORCEFULLY ACCELERATED (NOT BY ME HITTING THE GAS ON ACCIDENT) HITTING MY HUSBAND THROWING HIM TO GROUND (WHICH HE IS A STURDY GUY) AN THEN H…
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I WAS LEAVING TO GO TO WORK, MY HUSBAND WALKED ME OUT OF OUR HOUSE SAYING GOODBYE, I WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY, TURNED MY WHEEL TO GO AROUND OUR OTHER CAR, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE SANTA FE FORCEFULLY ACCELERATED (NOT BY ME HITTING THE GAS ON ACCIDENT) HITTING MY HUSBAND THROWING HIM TO GROUND (WHICH HE IS A STURDY GUY) AN THEN HITTING MY OTHER CAR, IT WOULD NOT STOP I HAD BRAKE PEDEL DOWN AND PUT ON EMERGENCY BRAKE ON PUT IN REVERSE AND YET NOTHING JUST GOING FULL FORCE IN THE BACK OF MY OTHER CAR. I EVEN TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE TO MAKE SURE IT WAS NOT THE GAS PEDEL. IT WAS SO SCARY I DID NOT KNOW IF MY HUSBAND WAS BEENING CRUSHED BETWEEN CARS. I WAS SO SCARED THAT MY KIDS WOULD COME OUT AND GET RAN OVER TRYING TO HELP. I TURNED OFF THE CAR (WISH I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT OF THAT SOONER) AND FINALLY AFTER PUSHING MY OTHER CAR AT LEAST 5 FEET IT FINALLY STARTED WINDING DOWN AND MAKING A LOUD HISSING SOUND. I FOUND MY HUSBAND LYING ON THE GROUND THANKING GOD I DIDNT KILL HIM . I CALL THE POLICE TO REPORT WHAT HAD HAPPEND, TOOK PICTURES OF ALL THE DAMAGE THAT THE SANTA FE DID. WE TOOK THE SANTA FE BACK TO DEALERSHIP STILL UNDER WARRENTY JUST PURCHASED 8 MONTHS AGO ONLY 63,000 MILES ON IT, THEY SAID NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR DID NOT WANT TO HEAR ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED. ONLY THING THEY SAID WAS POWERSTEERING LINE CRUSH AND WHATEVER DAMAGE DONE FROM THE INCIDENT, AND TRIED TO CHARGE ME $120.00. SO NOW ITS AT A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP, BUT SEEMS NO ONE CARES WHAT HAPPENED. I AM VERY CONCERNED WITH THIS PROBLEM, WHERE I WORK I PARK IN A COLLAGE CAMPUS AREA WITH LOTS OF PEOPLE WALKING AROUND ALL THE TIME, I"M AT MY KIDS SCHOOL AT LEASE 8 TIMES A WEEK, WHAT IF THIS HAPPENS AT THE SCHOOLS? SO WORRIED THAT THEY WILL SAY ITS OKAY NOTHING WRONG,( WHICH ALREADY HEARD THAT!) BUT NEXT TIME MIGHT NOT BE SO LUCKY. NEED HELP PLEASE!!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10639640
77,900 miles · Sep 20, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System
THE FUEL INDICATOR ON OUR SANTA FE IS ONLY ACCURATE FOR THE FIRST 1/4 OF A TANK, AFTER THAT IT INDICATES THE TANK IS EMPTY AND THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT APPEARS. WE HAVE TO KEEP TRACK OF OUR MILEAGE IN ORDER TO KNOW WHEN WE ARE LOW ON FUEL. VERY ANNOYING TO HAVE TO DO THIS. WHAT IF THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT IS ON FOR ANOTHER REAS…
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THE FUEL INDICATOR ON OUR SANTA FE IS ONLY ACCURATE FOR THE FIRST 1/4 OF A TANK, AFTER THAT IT INDICATES THE TANK IS EMPTY AND THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT APPEARS. WE HAVE TO KEEP TRACK OF OUR MILEAGE IN ORDER TO KNOW WHEN WE ARE LOW ON FUEL. VERY ANNOYING TO HAVE TO DO THIS. WHAT IF THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT IS ON FOR ANOTHER REASON? HOW WILL WE KNOW? THIS IS AN ON-GOING PROBLEM WITH HYUNDAI,WHO HAS NOT ADDRESSED THE ISSUE, AND IT WILL COST $300-$700 TO REPAIR! WE ARE THINKING OF SELLING OUR SANTA FE BUT WE KNOW WE CAN'T SELL IT WITH A "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT ON! HYUNDAI SHOULD OWN UP TO THIS PROBLEM AND RECALL THEIR VEHICLES. WE HAVE OWNED 5 HYUNDAI'S IN THE PAST 15 YEARS AND THIS WILL MAKE US RECONSIDER EVER BUYING ANOTHER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10637711
Official recalls
2Apr 1, 2013
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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 out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.
Jul 25, 2012
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2007 through 2009 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured from April 19, 2006, through July 7, 2008. The occupant classification system (OCS) may need recalibration to accurately detect small statured adults.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Improper classification or detection may cause the front passenger airbag not to deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the front passenger.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will update the classification software free of charge. The safety recall began on September 7, 2012. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1DP21003 · Throttle Control System Vulnerabilities
Opened Nov 12, 2021 · Closed Jun 20, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:throttle
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003. Accordingly, Model Year (MY) 2005-2016 Kia Optima/K5, MY 2006-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, MY 2006-2015 Hyundai Sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire that can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under reference (ODI) number 11439675.On November 12, 2021, ODI opened Defect Petition DP21-003 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI performed trend analyses of the VOQs related to vehicle speed control issues for all the subject vehicles and found that none of the 52 Model/Model Year Hyundai/Kia vehicles demonstrated any actionable trend that warranted an investigation.Petitioners submitted 1119 VOQs and non-VOQ cases in which sudden uncommanded acceleration (SUA) or loss of motive power (LOMP) incidents were alleged.For the 1119 reports, 220 were incidents involving crashes, from which 69 subject Hyundai-Kia vehicles were inspected by Hyundai/Kia dealer technicians, Hyundai/Kia engineers, and/or third-party representatives.ODI found the inspections identified no vehicle defects related to the ETC system.Of the 220 crash-involved reports, 13 Event Data Recorder (EDR) records were downloaded successfully and 11 of those indicated driver error: (i.e.) pedal misapplication.A condition where the accelerator pedal is mistakenly applied instead of the brake pedal when the driver wants to stop the vehicle.In addition, ODI reviewed a scientific journal paper published in Forensic Science International in 2016 by Mr. Park et al ., as well as related test videos. ODI does not believe there is any evidence of uncontrollable SUA occurrences in any of the tests reviewed. NHTSA's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) reviewed the allegations regarding the potential noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 124.Based on the information provided, the Agency concludes there is insufficient information for us to determine if a possible non-compliance exists.Finally, both Hyundai and Kia informed ODI that all their vehicles manufactured after 2012 were equipped with an ETC management system, in which the engine speed will go to idle when the system sees signals from both the brake pedal and accelerator pedal at the same time; this is commonly known as the brake-throttle override system.After thoroughly assessing the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in NHTSA's possession, information submitted by Hyundai and Kia in response to an Information Request letter, and the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner's allegation, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. After full consideration of appropriate factors, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA?s reasons for denial of the petition will be published.