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

6,500 miles · Dec 6, 2017

Electrical SystemSeatsVehicle Speed Control

THE DRIVER SEAT MAKES SQUEAKING NOISES ALL THE TIME. I CANT MOVE IN MY SEAT WITHOUT THESE LOUD AND ANNOYING SQUEAKING NOISES COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE SEAT

NHTSA ODI #11052878

6,500 miles · Dec 6, 2017

Electrical SystemSeatsVehicle Speed Control

## VIN PASSED ## ## THE LOW FUEL LIGHT ON MY 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT DOES NOT ILLUMINATE OR BEEP TO NOTIFY ME OF LOW FUEL. I WAS DOWN TO ALMOST 10 MILES LEFT BEFORE I REALIZED I WAS ALMOST ON EMPTY. DEALERSHIP HAS CHECKED CODES AND TOLD ME THERE ARE NO FAULTY CODES. NOW INHAVE TONTAKE IT IN AGAIN AND LET THEM KNOW THAT…

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NHTSA ODI #11052877

2,500 miles · Nov 16, 2017

Seat Belts

THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT WARNING CHIME IS INOPERABLE. ONLY THE DASHBOARD LIGHT OPERATES. THIS OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS MOVING WITH A PASSENGER ON BOARD WHO HAS NOT BUCKLED UP WITH THE SEAT BELT.

NHTSA ODI #11046662

9,000 miles · Nov 16, 2017

Unknown Or Other

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THE PANORAMIC SUN ROOF EXPLODED WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKERD AND ENGINE RUNNINGTHE TEMPATURE WAS 77 DEGREES. AFTER SOME INTERNET FOLLOW UP IT SEEMS THIS IS THE #1 PROBLEM IN CANADA AND THERE HAS BEEN AND ON GOING CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN THE USA FOR THE PAST 5 YEARS. BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND HUYNDAI KNEW OF THE PROBLEM AND IT WAS FIX UNDER WARRANTY, 1YEAR OLD WITH 9000 MILES. HAD THIS HAPPENED A FREEWAY SPEED WE PROBALLY WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED ALONG WITH OTHERS. THEY ARE REPLACING THE GLASS ROOFS WITH THE SAME GLASS ROOFS WITH NO FIXES DONE HYUNDAI AND SISTER COMPANY KIA HAVE KNOW OF THIS PROBLEM SINCE BEFORE THE CLASS ACTION SUIT STARTED IN 2012 AND HAVE SEND BULLITTENS TO DEALERSHIPS BUT NO RECALLS THIS IS A MAJOR SAFTEY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND NOT JUST COVERED UP BY THE CAR COMPANYS. I HAVE APROX 100 PHOTOS AND CAN NOT DOWN LOAD TO YOUR SITE FOR SOME REASON CURRENTLY I CAN TRY LATER OR MAYBE IF YOU HAVE A EMAIL OR SOMETHING I CAN DO THAT TOO, LET ME KNOW. THIS HAPPENED NOVEMBER 11, 2017 THE CAR WAS BOUGHT IN THE USA KEPT IN THE USA BY USA CITIZENS

NHTSA ODI #11046632

Mileage unknown · Nov 2, 2017

Seat Belts

PASSENGER SEATBELT HAS LOOP SEWN INTO STRAP. APPEARS TO BE COMPROMISED. DEALER COULD NOT SAY WHY THE LOOP WAS THERE. HYUNDAI MANUFACTURER WON'T GET BACK TO US.

NHTSA ODI #11042710

13,000 miles · Oct 29, 2017

Power TrainService Brakes

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9/18/17 WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE MOVED SLOW AS IF TO NOT WANT TO SHIFT. I GOT TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND WHEN I RE STARTED A FEW MINUETS LATER THE LIGHT WENT OUT AND VEHICLE OPERATED WITHOUT OUT PROBLEM. I MADE APPOINTMENT WITH DEALERSHIP FOR 9/26/17. THEY DID SOME RECALL ITEMS AND I MENTIONED THE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD IF THE LIGHT IS OUT IT MAY NOT SHOW UP. THE FAILED TO NOT ON SERVICE ORDER THIS ISSUE. ON 10/24/17 WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY AND HAD TRAVELED ABOUT 50 MILES FROM HOME THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND THIS TIME IT NOTIFIED ME ON THE RADIO SCREEN TO CONTACT BLUE LINK AS THERE WAS A POSSIBLE CONDITION WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM. I CONTACTED BLUE LINK AND THEY MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR 10/27/17 AT 8 AM AT THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER 6 HOURS WAITING ON HYUNDAI TECH SUPPORT TO GET BACK WITH THEM TO RUN DIAGNOSTICS. LAST 3 MONTHS VEHICLE MONTHLY REPORT ON VEHICLE SHOWS A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS SYSTEM. THEY CLAIM THEY ARE UNAWARE OF ANY ISSUES.10/24/17

NHTSA ODI #11040888

Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 2017

Vehicle Speed Control

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PURCHASED NEW 7/172017 SANTA FE ULTIMATE 2.0T. THIS SUV DOES NOT ACCELERATE AND LAGS ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS HAPPENS AT A LOWER SPEED AND FROM A STOP. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN MAKING A TURNS AND ENTERING FREEWAY OR TRAFFIC CICLES (ROUNDABOUTS) WHEN DEPRESSING ACCELERATOR AND YOUR VEHICLE SLOWLY MOVES FORWARD AND FAILS TO ACCELERATE TO THE REQUIRED SPEED YOU ARE REQUESTING FOR A SECOND OR MORE. NOW YOU HAVE PLACED YOURSELF IN A VERY DANGEROUS POSITION BECAUSE OFTHIS VEHICLES INABILITY TO RESPOND. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT TAKES OFF. DOES NOT HAPPEN EVERY TIME BUT IS FREQUENT ENOUGH TO BE CONCERNED. HAS HAPPENED CONTINUALLY SINCE NEW. MY WIFE LOVES THE VEHICLE BUT IS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT..NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS BUT THERE ARE CERTAINLY ENOUGH COMPLAINTS THAT SOMEONE SHOULD INVESTIGATE AND GET AFTER HYUNDAI TO FIX THE SITUATION BEFORE SOMEONE GOD FORBID IS KILLED.. OR THAT'S UNFORTUNATELY WHAT IT WILL TAKE TO RESOLVE THIS SERIOUS DEFECT. I LOVE THE VEHICLE ESPECIALLY THE TURBO BUT IT'S SCARY.

NHTSA ODI #11033371

25 miles · Oct 10, 2017

Power Train

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I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE LIMITED ULTIMATE ON MAY 5 OF THIS YEAR, AND NOTICED A VERY HESITATION DURING THE DRIVE HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP. I FIGURED IT WAS THE RESULT OF THE ENGINE BREAKING IN AND THAT I SHOULD JUST BE PATIENT. HOWEVER, IT CONTINUED...AND PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE. SPECIFICALLY, IT'S MOST PRONOUNCED WHEN I ACCELERATE FROM A DEAD STOP, ACCELERATE OUT OF A ROLLING STOP, ACCELERATE OUT OF A LEFT TURN, OR TRY TO MAKE A QUICK PASSING OR MERGING MANEUVER ON THE FREEWAY. IN ALL OF THESE CONDITIONS, THERE IS A 2 TO 3 SECOND DELAY BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION WILL SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFT AND THE VEHICLE WILL BLAST OFF. THIS IS REALLY DANGEROUS, BECAUSE I'VE HAD NEARLY A DOZEN INSTANCES OF BEING NEARLY REAR ENDED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WON'T ACCELERATE QUICKLY ENOUGH. THE BEST WAY TO DESCRIBE IT IS TO SAY THAT IT'S LIKE TRYING TO ACCELERATE WITH A DIRTY, SEVERELY CLOGGED, 10-YEAR-OLD ENGINE AIR FILTER, AND THE INTAKE CAN'T GET ENOUGH AIR INTO THE ENGINE TO ACCELERATE AS IT SHOULD. I'VE BEEN TO OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND IN EVERY INSTANCE WE'RE TOLD THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO UNTIL HYUNDAI RELEASES AN UPDATE OR A RECALL. BUT IN THE MEANTIME, I GUESS I'M SUPPOSED TO CONTINUE PLAYING RUSSIAN ROULETTE WITH MY LIFE. I'M AT NEARLY 9,000 MILES AND THE HESITATION IS STILL AS PRONOUNCED AS IT WAS IN THE BEGINNING. I'M TRYING REALLY HARD TO BE PATIENT AND NOT KEEP COMPLAINING TO OUR LOCAL SERVICE CENTER...BUT WE'VE HAD QUITE A FEW CLOSE CALLS, EXTREMELY CLOSE, AND I'M REALLY HOPING THAT HYUNDAI WILL PLEASE FIX THIS SOON! IN FACT, I JUST READ AN ARTICLE ABOUT HYUNDAI REPLACING THE ENGINES IN THE '17 SANTA FE'S BECAUSE OF A MANUFACTURING ISSUE WITH THE CRANKSHAFT PIN CAUSING THE EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS I'VE EXPERIENCED. SO I HOPE THAT I CAN PLEASE GET MY VEHICLE REPAIRED BEFORE I END UP IN A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. THANKS!!

NHTSA ODI #11032624

24,000 miles · Oct 7, 2017

Unknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

IT TRIES TO STALL OR HESITATE WHEN MAKING TURNS I LIVE IN CHICAGO AND DRIVE IN TRAFFIC WHEN TURNING INTO TRAFFIC IT SEEMS TO HESITATE FOR 2 OR 3 SEC BEFORE ACCELERATION II AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC FROM FEAR WHEN MAKING A TURN I WILL. CAUSE A CAR ACCIDENT

NHTSA ODI #11032156

23,300 miles · Sep 26, 2017

Power Train

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND THE GEAR IN PARK, THE GEAR AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE MOVED BACKWARDS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS STANDING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WITH THE PASSENGER DOOR OPEN. THE CONTACT JUMPED INTO THE VEHICLE AND APPLIED THE BRAKES IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE PARKING LOT. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE, AND THE VEHICLE RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,300.

NHTSA ODI #11029962

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.