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2015 Hyundai Santa Fe

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 212.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

88 reports with mileage · 166 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 160 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports13 fire reports7 injury reports

Engine complaints

160 reports
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73,000 miles · Jan 13, 2021
Electrical SystemEngineService Brakes

MY 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAS BEEN RECALLED DUE TO THE ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM (ABS) MODULES THAT COULD LEAK BRAKE FLUID INTERNALLY AND CAUSE AN ELECTRICA SHORT OVER TIME. THE PISTON SEALS IN THE ABS MODULES'S HYDRAULIC VALVE COULD LEAK BRAKE FLUID INTO THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (EUC) . AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE ABS MODULE COULD INC…

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MY 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAS BEEN RECALLED DUE TO THE ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM (ABS) MODULES THAT COULD LEAK BRAKE FLUID INTERNALLY AND CAUSE AN ELECTRICA SHORT OVER TIME. THE PISTON SEALS IN THE ABS MODULES'S HYDRAULIC VALVE COULD LEAK BRAKE FLUID INTO THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (EUC) . AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE ABS MODULE COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. THE SAFETY RECALL LETTER I RECEIVED 12-24-20 STATED TO CALL THE NEAREST HYUNDAI DEALER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED. I CALLED ON JAN 12, 2021 TO MY DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THE PARTS TO FIX THE RECALL WERE NOT IN YET AND THEY COULD NOT TELL ME WHEN THEY WOULD BE AVAILABLE. I FIND THIS TO BE VERY CONCERNING THAT I MAY HAVE A CAR THAT ANYTIME COULD CATCH ON FIRE AND HYUNDAI CANNOT FIX IT.

NHTSA ODI #11387877

110,000 miles · Dec 1, 2020
EngineLane Departure

OIL CONSUMPTION WITHIN 200 MILES BLIND SPOT DETECTION DOESN'T WORK

NHTSA ODI #11377249

95,000 miles · Nov 28, 2020
EngineService Brakes

I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE MAP SENSOR AND THE BATTERY LAST YEAR. CAR WAS SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING WITH NO WARNING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD STAY ON. RECENTLY IN LAST COUPLE MONTHS NOTICED ISSUES WITH THE BRAKES. WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO BRAKES WHILE ON FREEWAY THE STEERING WOULD SHAKE AND FEEL LIKE I HAD NO CONTROL. J…

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I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE MAP SENSOR AND THE BATTERY LAST YEAR. CAR WAS SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING WITH NO WARNING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD STAY ON. RECENTLY IN LAST COUPLE MONTHS NOTICED ISSUES WITH THE BRAKES. WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO BRAKES WHILE ON FREEWAY THE STEERING WOULD SHAKE AND FEEL LIKE I HAD NO CONTROL. JUST RECEIVED NOTICE OF A BRAKE RECALL BUT THERE IS STILL NO REMEDY. HOW LONG DO I WAIT FOR THEM TO COME UP WITH A REMEDY?

NHTSA ODI #11376863

108,818 miles · Oct 21, 2020
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, SHE HAD HEARD AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. AS THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PULL OVER, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER WITH SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS PULLED OVER TO SHOULDER AND BLACK SMOKE STARTED CO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, SHE HAD HEARD AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. AS THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PULL OVER, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER WITH SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS PULLED OVER TO SHOULDER AND BLACK SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM THE ENGINE. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO POHANKA HYUNDAI OF FREDERICKSBURG (5200 JEFFERSON DAVIS HWY A, FREDERICKSBURG, VA 22408). THE NEXT DAY, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A CONNECTING ROD BECAME DEFECTIVE AND LED TO COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,818.*DT CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT POHANKA HYUNDAI OF FREDERICKSBURG.*JB

NHTSA ODI #11365634

55,000 miles · Sep 24, 2020
EngineService BrakesFire

TL* THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE WAS BURNING OIL AND NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. THE OIL WAS CHANGED IN HOPES IT WOULD REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO HERB CONNOLLY HYUNDAI,…

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TL* THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE WAS BURNING OIL AND NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. THE OIL WAS CHANGED IN HOPES IT WOULD REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO HERB CONNOLLY HYUNDAI, 520 WORCESTER RD, FRAMINGHAM, MA 01702, AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL WAS PERFECT ON ARRIVAL AND WAS NOT REPLICATING THE FAILURE OF THE SMOKE. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO MIRAK HYUNDAI, 1165 MASSACHUSETTS AVE, ARLINGTON, MA 02476, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT TOO MUCH OIL WAS ADDED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT WAS TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO REMEDY AVAILABLE FOR THE OPEN RECALL OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V520000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000. PART DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECTED. - (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT) TS

NHTSA ODI #11360928

122,000 miles · Sep 22, 2020
Engine

GOOD MORNING, I'M REACHING HERE BECAUSE HYUNDAI HAD BEEN NEGLECTING HELPING ME WITH A RECALL THE VEHICLE HAS. THE VEHICLE IS IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. THE VEHICLE IS AT THE MAGNA HYUNDAI, OFFICIAL DEALER FROM HYUNDAI IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. I'M ATTACHING THE LAST EMAIL CORPORATE HYUNDAI USA SENT ME. ALL I'M ASKING IS TO FI…

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GOOD MORNING, I'M REACHING HERE BECAUSE HYUNDAI HAD BEEN NEGLECTING HELPING ME WITH A RECALL THE VEHICLE HAS. THE VEHICLE IS IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. THE VEHICLE IS AT THE MAGNA HYUNDAI, OFFICIAL DEALER FROM HYUNDAI IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. I'M ATTACHING THE LAST EMAIL CORPORATE HYUNDAI USA SENT ME. ALL I'M ASKING IS TO FIX THE ENGINE FAILURE BECAUSE OF THE RECALL. THE DEALER IN THE DOMINICAN US WILLING TO COOPERATE IF HYUNDAI USA GIVES THEM THE GREEN LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS BUILT HERE IN THE USA. THE VEHICLE WAS JUST USED FOR ABOUT 1K MILES. WE BOUGHT IT IN MARCH 2020.

NHTSA ODI #11360413

Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2020
EngineService BrakesUnknown Or Other

THERE IS ONE RECALL OUT ON MY 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT HAVING TO DO WITH RISK OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. THE ABS SYSTEM CAN LEAK ONTO AN ELECTRICAL MOTOR AND CAUSE AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED AN OFFICIAL WORD ON THIS RECALL - ONLY WORD OF MONTH/ RADIO. THERE IS NO REMEDY YET UNTIL END OF OCTOBER 2020…

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THERE IS ONE RECALL OUT ON MY 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT HAVING TO DO WITH RISK OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. THE ABS SYSTEM CAN LEAK ONTO AN ELECTRICAL MOTOR AND CAUSE AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED AN OFFICIAL WORD ON THIS RECALL - ONLY WORD OF MONTH/ RADIO. THERE IS NO REMEDY YET UNTIL END OF OCTOBER 2020.

NHTSA ODI #11360101

100,300 miles · Sep 18, 2020
Engine

ENGINE SEIZED ON 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. NO WARNING AT ALL. TOWED TO LOCAL MECHANIC SHOP. DID NOT TAKE TO HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. MECHANIC FOUND NO OIL IN THE DIP STICK. SYNTHETIC OIL CHANGE DONE A LITTLE OVER A MONTH AGO. VEHICLE JUST WENT OVER 100K IN MILEAGE. I'VE KEPT UP WITH THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES. HAS TO BE SOMETHING…

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ENGINE SEIZED ON 2015 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. NO WARNING AT ALL. TOWED TO LOCAL MECHANIC SHOP. DID NOT TAKE TO HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. MECHANIC FOUND NO OIL IN THE DIP STICK. SYNTHETIC OIL CHANGE DONE A LITTLE OVER A MONTH AGO. VEHICLE JUST WENT OVER 100K IN MILEAGE. I'VE KEPT UP WITH THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES. HAS TO BE SOMETHING WITH THESE HYUNDAI ENGINE.

NHTSA ODI #11359871

41,800 miles · Sep 17, 2020
EngineExterior LightingFuel/propulsion System

FUEL CONSUMED MORE , LIGHTENING IN BACK NOT CLEAR , ENGINE SOUND ,

NHTSA ODI #11355690

85,000 miles · Aug 27, 2020
Engine

ENGINE SEIZED-NEEDED COMPLETE REPLACEMENT; $3,344 PAID TO WAIKEM HYUNDAI CANTON, OH- ENGINE LIGHT CAME WHILE DRIVING AND CAR STALLED. NEVER STARTED AGAIN, TOWED TO WAIKEM HYUNDAI, DENIED WARRANTY COVERAGE STATING NO PROOF OF ADEQUATE OIL CHANGES, EVEN THOUGH MANY PUBLISHED REPORTS OF HYUNDAI SANTA FE ENGINE FAILURES. I BELIEVE E…

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ENGINE SEIZED-NEEDED COMPLETE REPLACEMENT; $3,344 PAID TO WAIKEM HYUNDAI CANTON, OH- ENGINE LIGHT CAME WHILE DRIVING AND CAR STALLED. NEVER STARTED AGAIN, TOWED TO WAIKEM HYUNDAI, DENIED WARRANTY COVERAGE STATING NO PROOF OF ADEQUATE OIL CHANGES, EVEN THOUGH MANY PUBLISHED REPORTS OF HYUNDAI SANTA FE ENGINE FAILURES. I BELIEVE ENGINE RECALLS EXIST FOR 2014, ONE YEAR AWAY FROM OUR 2015- BELIEVE ISSUES OBVIOUSLY WEREN'T FIXED AND HYUNDAI NOT BEING ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR MISTAKES. OWNED MANY, MANY VEHICLES OVER MANY YEARS...NONE EVER HAD COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE LIKE THIS HYUNDAI. REPAIR RECEIPT AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.

NHTSA ODI #11351714

Official recalls

2

23V651000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Sep 22, 2023

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.

17V358000 · Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch

Jun 5, 2017

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch actuating cable may corrode and bind, causing the secondary hood latch to remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the hood is not securely closed or the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary latch cable, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owner's may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for the recall is 163.

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

3

AQ23002 · Hyundai And Kia Abs Module Fires

Opened Nov 17, 2023 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.

DP22003 · Loss Of Motive Power

Opened Sep 12, 2022 · Closed Dec 12, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing.  There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

DP21003 · 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.