Engine. Review the 643 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 161 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 67 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

14 crash reports23 fire reports11 injury reports

What owners actually said

962 reports

72,997 miles · Apr 16, 2021

Electrical SystemEngine

MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE ENGINE STALLING WHILE DRIVING AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS CAUSING VERY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS THE VEHICLE LOOSES POWER STEERING AND PROPER BRAKING MINE HAS DONE THIS ONCE SO FAR AND I HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ONLINE OF THE SAME THIS HAPPENING TO OTHERS WHO OWN THE SAME YEAR MAKE MODEL OF THE VEHICLE

NHTSA ODI #11408491

55,000 miles · Apr 15, 2021

EnginePower Train

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. AFTER TURNING OFF AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS INTENDED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER PARKWAY HYUNDAI LOCATED AT 5920 MARKET ST A, WILMINGTON, NC 28405 BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED AND THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT YET DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT YET NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

NHTSA ODI #11408173

47,408 miles · Apr 11, 2021

EnginePower Train

BOUGHT HYUNDAI SANTE FE SPORT 2017 36,871 MILES ON 09-23-2019 DEALERSHIP OIL CHANGE 03-06-20 MILES 41104 DEALERSHIP OIL CHANGE, 03-03-21 MILES 47409 OIL VERY LOW AND DARK IN COLOR. DEALERSHIP REQUESTING OIL CONSUMPTION TEST EVERY 1000 MILES, 04-01-21 1.5 QUARTS LOW. I HAVE TO DO 2 MORE TEST, THIS IS A SKIRT AROUND THE PROBLEM…

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NHTSA ODI #11407495

102,000 miles · Apr 10, 2021

Engine

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OK FROM THE START FIRST LET ME STATE IVE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WHAT SO EVER WITH MY 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE LIMITED ULTIMATE 3.3L AWD NONE NOTHING SO THIS WAS VERY STRANGE BECAUSE IVE ALWAYS MAINTAINED THE VEHICLE OIL CHANGES EVERY 3000 MILES EVERYTHING. SO HERE WE GO ONE AFTERNOON ABOUT A MONTH AGO I JUST HAPPENED TO START MY HYUNDAI WITH THE DOOR OPEN AND WHEN I STARTED IT I HEARD A SOUND FOR LIKE 2 SECONDS. THE SOUND OF AN ENGINE THAT WAS LOW OF OIL THAT TAP TAP TAP I REALLY COULD NOT BELIEVE THAT I JUST HEARD THAT I MEAN REALLY COULD NOT BELIEVE IT, IT DOESN'T LEAK ANYTHING ITS NEVER DID THAT BEFORE. WHEN I GET THE OIL CHANGED THEY DON'T SAY IT WAS LOW ON OIL SO I'M VERY DUMBFOUNDED AT THIS POINT THEIRS NO OIL ON THE GROUND WERE IT GETS PARKED SO I DON'T KNOW WHY IT DID THAT. SO I CHECK THE OIL AND SURE ENOUGH IT'S LOW SO I FIND OUT WHAT KIND OF OIL IT TAKES AND PUT 1 AND THEN 2 AND FINALLY 3 KINDA WOUNDERING AND KINDA IN SHOCK SO TO SPEAK. WELL THE NEXT DAY I CHECKED THE OIL AND IT WAS STILL WERE ITVSHOULD BE AND HAD TO DRIVE TO SAN DIEGO FROM LONG BEACH WERE I LIVE AND IT'S NOT THE FIRST TIME I'VE MADE THIS DRIVE MIND YOU. SO IM OFF NO LIGHTS ON DASH NO SMELLS NO NOISES O SMOKE THINKING COOL SO AFTER PASSING THROU OCEANSIDE I THOUGHT I'D GET SOMETHING TO EAT SO I DECIDED TO TAKE THE FIRST EXIT AFTER OCEANSIDE CAMP PENDLETON SO I GET OFF AND BEFORE I STOP FOR THE LIGHT THE VEHICLE STALLS WHAT THE THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE NOT THINKING ANYTHING BAD BECAUSE AGAIN NO LIGHTS ON DASH NO NOSES NO SMELLS NO SMOKE NO NOTHING. SO I TRIED TO START IT AND NOTHING TRY AGAIN AND NOTHING LIGHTS ON BUT DOES NOT WANT TURN OVER. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT'S GOING ON BECAUSE NO LIGHTS ON THE DASH CAME ON THEIRS NO SMOKE NO LOUD NOISES OR ANYTHING BEFORE IT STALLS JUST NICE AND QUIET NO SMELLS NOTHING JUST THE CAR GETTING REAL QUIET. WELL I TRIED A COUPLE MORE TIMES BEST REGARDS ERIC

NHTSA ODI #11407344

94,000 miles · Apr 7, 2021

Fuel/propulsion System

VEHICLE ACCELERATES VERY SLUGGISHLY ON TAKE OFF & IS VERY UNRESPONSIVE UNDER LOAD LIKE GOING UP A HILL.

NHTSA ODI #11406937

3,000 miles · Feb 24, 2021

Vehicle Speed Control

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I OWN A HYUNDAI 2017 SANTA FE. I, MY HUSBAND, AND MY DAUGHTER ARE EXPERIENCING (FROM THE TIME OF PURCHASE & REPORTED TO THE HYUNDAI DEALER) A SERIOUS & DANGEROUS LAG WITH ACCELERATION. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES, THE CAR HESITATES BADLY WHEN COMING OUT OF TURNS AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE...JUST SHORT OF COMING TO A STOP. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC AND APPEARS TO BE GETTING MORE FREQUENT. I HAVE FOUND SEVERAL FORUMS REPORTING THE SAME ISSUES. WILL HYUNDAI FIX THIS ISSUE?

NHTSA ODI #11397732

80,000 miles · Feb 15, 2021

Engine

NOTICED A KNOCKING SOUND IN THE CAR. THOUGHT SOMETHING WAS LOOSE. NO WARNING LIGHTS TO INDICATE AN ISSUE. THE CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING DOWN LOCAL STREETS AS THE CAR WAS DECELERATING. AS LONG AS THE GAS PEDAL WAS PUMPED THE CAR CONTINUED TO STAY ENGAGED. CAR TAKEN TO MECHANIC BY TOW. THE CAR WAS DOWN 3.5 QUARTS OF OIL. WAS OVER…

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NHTSA ODI #11396353

47,450 miles · Feb 8, 2021

Engine

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15 MILES FROM HOME IN LUVERNE, AL 36049 ON 2/1/2021, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND ENGINE SOUNDED LIKE A MIS-FIRE. HAD OIL CHANGED AT HUFFINES HYUNDAI, PLANO, TX ON 1/25/2021 AND THEY DID A RECALL OF A 2ND ECM UPDATE OF SOFTWARE. EMPTIED SUV OUT ON 2/2, WENT TO BACKUP ON 2/3 AND WHITE SMOKE POUR OUT OF EXHAUST. TRIED TO DRIVE TO MITCHELL HYUNDAI ENTERPRISE, AL, VEHICLE DIED, HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO SHOP. JUST FOUND OUT TODAY THAT MY VEHICLE WAS PART OF THE RECALL AND THAT I SHOULD HAVE BEEN SENT DOCUMENTATION ABOUT THE ENGINE ISSUE. TO DATE WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANYTHING ABOUT IT. ACCORDING TO WHAT I READ IN THE LETTER, MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS IT IS COVERED, BUT THEY HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE COMPANY TO MAKE UP IT'S MIND. THE RECALL MAY NEED TO BE EXPANDED, MY VEHICLE IS THE 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT 2.0T ULTIMATE.

NHTSA ODI #11395309

57,000 miles · Feb 8, 2021

Engine

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VEHICLE HAS 57,000 MILES, I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 40. I STOPPED AT GAS STATION AND FILLED UP. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AGAIN IT SEEMED OK, GOT BACK ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND ENGINE STOPPED. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE ENGINE IS BLOWN AND IT NEEDS A NEW ENGINE. ONLY HAS 57,000 MILES SO SHOULD BE UNDER WARRANTY. DEALER GAVE ME A LOANER AND I DROVE HOME..CAR DIED IN MICHIGAN, THEY TOWED THE CAR TO GREENBAY WISCONSIN TO THE NEAREST DEALER, AND I LIVE IN CHICAGO. THE DEALER CALLED A FEW DAYS LATER AND ASKED FOR ALL OIL CHANGE DOCUMENTATION.. MOST OF IT WAS IN GLOVE BOX WHICH THEY FOUND, HAD OIL CHANGED AT HYUNDAI DEALER IN ILLINOIS IN MARCH OF 2020 RIGHT AS PANDEMIC STARTED , CAR HAD 45,383 MILES AT THAT TIME. DEALER DID NOT USE SYNTHETIC OIL ACCORDING TO RECEIPT WHICH IS STRANGE BECAUSE MANUFACTURER REQUIRES SYNTHETIC. COULD NOT A MORE RECENT RECEIPT BUT DID HAVE OIL CHANGE ONE MORE TIME ABOUT 6 MONTHS LATER, AGAIN DURING PANDEMIC. DEALER SAID THAT OIL LOOKED SLUDGEY AND THEY DENIED THE WARRANTY CLAIM FOR THE CAR. THEY BILLED HYUNDAI 18,000 TO PUT A NEW ENGINE IN MY VEHICLE AND HYUNDAI DENIED THE CLAIM. DEALER SAID HE WOULD PUT A USED ENGINE IN THE VEHICLE FOR $7,920.00 WITH A 1 YR WARRANTY. WE DECLINED AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY WOULD NOW CHARGE US FOR THE TOW AND 30.00 A DAY FOR USE OF THE LOANER. WE LIVE 200 MILES FROM THE DEALERSHIP. THEY ASKED US TO RETURN THE VEHICLE OR THEY COULD COME PICK IT UP, THE CAR IS CLOSE TO THE MILEAGE THAT THEY CANNOT SELL IT AS A NEW CAR AND WANT TO KEEP MILEAGE DOWN. THEY TOLD US ON FEB 5 THAT THE COULD NOT COME AND GET IT UNTIL FEB 10 AND THAT THEY WOULD BILL US 150.00 FOR 5 DAYS IT WOULD TAKE THEM TO PICK UP THE CAR. WE SEE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY ENGINE RECALLS ON HYUNDAI AND WE THINK OURS PROBABLY HAVE SAME ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI #11395137

Mileage unknown · Feb 5, 2021

Unknown Or Other

I AM HAVING TO GET AN OIL CONSUMPTION EVERY 1000 MILES WHICH HAS ME CONCERNED.

NHTSA ODI #11394791

Official recalls

22V056000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Feb 3, 2022

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Santa Fe, 2017-2018 Santa Fe Sport, 2019 Santa Fe XL, and 2014-2015 Tucson vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire.

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 multi-fuse, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 31, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 218.

17V578000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Sep 20, 2017

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Santa Fe vehicles equipped with 3.3L engines. The crankshaft assemblies may have been produced with surface irregularities in the crankshaft pin, causing engine bearing wear.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The engine bearing wear may cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify all owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the engine, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 168.

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.

17V142000 · Tires:pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems

Mar 6, 2017

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The affected vehicles have a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that may not have been set in the correct mode during vehicle assembly, and therefore will not provide an appropriate warning in the event of an underinflated tire. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An underinflated inflated tire can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the TPMS sensors, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for the recall is 159.

16V842000 · Electrical System:wiring; Trailer Hitches

Nov 21, 2016

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Tucson vehicles manufactured May 19, 2015, to November 14, 2016, and 2017 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured November 28, 2015, to November 14, 2016. The affected vehicles may be equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness that, due to a malfunction of the tow hitch module, may result, in the trailer brake lights being constantly illuminated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected accessory trailer hitch wiring harnesses, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 13, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 153.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Trailer Hitches

Consequence: If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected accessory trailer hitch wiring harnesses, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 13, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 153.

Electrical System:wiring

Consequence: If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.

16V145000 · Seat Belts:front:warning Light/devices

Mar 10, 2016

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured September 1, 2015 to February 12, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the wires in the front seat belt buckle harnesses may be damaged by the seat's height adjuster mechanism, resulting in a failure to provide an audible warning when front seat occupants do not fasten their seat belts. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Without a warning to remind the front seat occupants that their seat belts are not buckled, they may forget to buckle their seat belt, increasing their risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and reroute the wires in the front seat belt buckle harnesses to their proper locations, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 27, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 141.

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

DP24001 · 3.3L Engine Loss Of Motive Power (lomp)

Opened Feb 8, 2024 · Closed May 16, 2024

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a petition on February 2, 2024, requesting a defect investigation into an alleged defect of the "engine" on the following vehicle model: 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles equipped with the 3.3L V-Shaped GDI Lambda-II engines. The petition cites allegations of a loss of motive power, often resulting in an engine seizure. The stall is preceded by a knocking sound, decreased performance and no warning lights. An analysis of the subject vehicle population was undertaken using complaints submitted to ODI along with manufacturer data. It was determined that the frequency of events is low for the subject population, while those that specifically report a loss of motive power event have a high mileage at the time of incident. The 2017 Santa Fe is equipped with a service interval reminder for the consumer that must be set by the consumer themselves or at a dealership. A Technical Service Bulletin (19-EM-002H) instructs the dealership to set the maintenance reminder at the completion of routine maintenance service or anytime a repair is performed that requires new engine oil. This maintenance reminder will help reinforce the need for proper oil maintenance intervals. Additionally, the Santa Fe vehicles with 3.3L V-shaped Lambda-II engines will be added to Hyundai’s existing Technical Service Bulletin (23-EM-007H) related to combustion chamber cleaning. These actions will help limit negative consumer incidents related to loss of motive power. Lastly, Hyundai has extended the limited engine warranty for MY 2013-2019 Santa Fe vehicles equipped with 3.3L V-shaped Lambda-II engines included in the Petition. The updated coverage is 15 years, or 150,000 miles and details are contained in Technical Service Bulletin 24-EM-003H. In view of the service interval reminder, combustion chamber cleaning, and extended warranty actions being taken by Hyundai, ODI is denying this Defect Petition. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the report cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

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.