NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes complaints
13 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Sep 20, 2022
Electrical SystemService Brakes
NHTSA ID Number: 11476858 Brake lights will not go off.I found white Plastic nylon washer broke into many pieces in floor board mat. It is the Brake pedal pad stop washer. After researching, This is a common issue with these vehicles. This defective component has a high probabilty of causing rear end collisions due to the Brake …
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NHTSA ID Number: 11476858 Brake lights will not go off.I found white Plastic nylon washer broke into many pieces in floor board mat. It is the Brake pedal pad stop washer. After researching, This is a common issue with these vehicles. This defective component has a high probabilty of causing rear end collisions due to the Brake lights staying on. NHTSA should do a safety recall on these vehicles.
NHTSA ODI #11485396
94,000 miles · Aug 8, 2019
Service BrakesSteeringTraction Control System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RONDO. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH IN THE RAIN AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS AND THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE FAILURE RECURRED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION; H…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RONDO. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH IN THE RAIN AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS AND THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE FAILURE RECURRED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION; HOWEVER, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ECM WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.
NHTSA ODI #11242450
Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 2017
EngineService Brakes
2007 KIA RONDO. CONSUMER WRITES REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR VEHICLE REPAIRS. *LD CONSUMER SENT ADDITIONAL CORRESPONDENCE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED RUSTED BREAKLINES AND A LEAKY OIL PAN. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A REIMBURSEMENT. UPDATED 10/05/2017*JS *JS
NHTSA ODI #10978488
127,300 miles · Jun 18, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes
BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED AND ESC LIGHT WILL NOT TURN OFF.
NHTSA ODI #10725900
140,000 miles · Feb 2, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior LightingService BrakesCrash
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, ON APPROXIMATELY, SUNDAY, AUGUST 10, 2014, I WAS DRIVING MY 2007 KIA RONDO AND A MAN HIT MY BUMPER DUE TO THE FACT HE COULD NOT SEE MY BRAKE LIGHTS (DUE TO THE MANUFACTURER'S RECALLED PARTS; NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 13V114000 AND 09V130000). I WAS UNAWARE OF THE RECALLED PRODUCT UNTIL YESTERDAY, FEBRUAR…
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TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, ON APPROXIMATELY, SUNDAY, AUGUST 10, 2014, I WAS DRIVING MY 2007 KIA RONDO AND A MAN HIT MY BUMPER DUE TO THE FACT HE COULD NOT SEE MY BRAKE LIGHTS (DUE TO THE MANUFACTURER'S RECALLED PARTS; NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 13V114000 AND 09V130000). I WAS UNAWARE OF THE RECALLED PRODUCT UNTIL YESTERDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2015, WHEN I WAS DOING A GOOGLE SEARCH. THIS WHOLE SITUATION HAS REALLY FRIGHTENED ME BECAUSE I AM ESSENTIALLY DRIVING A TICKING TIME BOMB. THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE OUT, AND THE RED "AIR BAG" LIGHT IS ON (THEREFORE DETERMINING THAT THE AIR BAGS DO NOT WORK; NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V014000), AND THE YELLOW "ESC OFF" LIGHT IS ON, AND DOES NOT GO OFF. I HAVE TO CONTINUOUSLY POP OPEN THE HOOD TO RECONNECT THE BATTERY EVERY OTHER TIME ATTEMPT TO TURN THE CAR ON. I AM A MONDAY-FRIDAY 9-5 WORKING 19 YEAR OLD LIVING ON HIS OWN, AND I AM LIVING TO PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK. I AM SIMPLY UNABLE TO PAY FOR THE DAMAGES DUE TO THE ENGINEERING BY THE MANUFACTURER, AND I AM PRAYING I WILL RECEIVE SOME TYPE OF COMPENSATION SO I CAN HAVE A RELIABLE CAR FOR MY DAILY LIFE. KIND REGARDS, A 2007 KIA RONDO OWNER *TR
NHTSA ODI #10680519
79,190 miles · Apr 7, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior LightingService Brakes
VEHICLE HAD THE STOP LAMP SWITCH REPLACED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN 09V130000 (KIA RECALL SC077) IN JUNE 2009. ON 4/6/14 THE REPLACEMENT STOP LAMP SWITCH FAILED CAUSING THE ESC MALFUNCTION LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO FAIL TO ILLUMINATE, AND BRAKE-TRANSMISSION INTERLOCK TO PREVENT THE TRANSMISSION FROM BEING EITHER SHIFT…
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VEHICLE HAD THE STOP LAMP SWITCH REPLACED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN 09V130000 (KIA RECALL SC077) IN JUNE 2009. ON 4/6/14 THE REPLACEMENT STOP LAMP SWITCH FAILED CAUSING THE ESC MALFUNCTION LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO FAIL TO ILLUMINATE, AND BRAKE-TRANSMISSION INTERLOCK TO PREVENT THE TRANSMISSION FROM BEING EITHER SHIFTED FROM N TO R OR FROM P TO R WITHOUT USING THE SHIFT LOCK RELEASE TAB. I HAD JUST BACKED OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AT ONE STORE WITH NO PROBLEMS, CROSSED THE STREET, AND ATTEMPTED TO PARK AT ANOTHER STORE WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF DRIVE. HAD TO USE SHIFT LOCK RELEASE TO GET VEHICLE HOME AND TO DEALER ON 4/7/14. DEALER CONFIRMED FAILURE OF THE REPLACEMENT SWITCH, CHARGED ME $69.02 IN PARTS AND LABOR TO REPLACE IT. SINCE KIA EXPANDED THE RECALL IN APRIL 2013 TO COVER ALL REMAINING RONDO'S, I FEEL THAT KIA SHOULD HAVE REPLACED THE SWITCH UNDER WARRANTY AS THIS INDICATES A LINGERING PROBLEM WITH THE SWITCHES ACROSS VARIOUS MODEL YEARS AND OTHER KIA AND HYUNDAI MODELS. I ALSO FEEL THAT NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE FAILURE RATES OF THE SWITCHES REPLACED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN 09V130000 (KIA RECALL SC077) BECAUSE KIA APPARENTLY HAS NOT MADE SATISFACTORY PROGRESS IN RESOLVING THIS SAFETY ISSUE GIVEN THE FAILURE OF THE UNIT PLACED IN MY VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10578112
100,000 miles · Feb 20, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes
DURING STATE OF NY VEHICLE INSPECTION IT WAS NOTED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY AND ABS SYSTEMS WERE NON FUNCTIONAL. AMBER SYMBOLS WERE ON AT TIME OF INSPECTION. DEALER REPORTS ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL AND ABS FEATURES ARE NO LONGER FUNCTIONING. REASON GIVEN: COMPUTER CONTROLLED SENDING UNIT LOCATED IN WHEEL WELL AND ITS WI…
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DURING STATE OF NY VEHICLE INSPECTION IT WAS NOTED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY AND ABS SYSTEMS WERE NON FUNCTIONAL. AMBER SYMBOLS WERE ON AT TIME OF INSPECTION. DEALER REPORTS ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL AND ABS FEATURES ARE NO LONGER FUNCTIONING. REASON GIVEN: COMPUTER CONTROLLED SENDING UNIT LOCATED IN WHEEL WELL AND ITS WIRES ARE CORRODED. CORROSION IS PER DEALER COMMON WITH THIS UNIT AND MODEL. PARTS HAVE BEEN ORDERED. HOWEVER AT PRESENT ABS/ESC NO LONGER WORK. THE CAR IS NOW LESS SAFE WITHOUT THESE FUNCTIONAL DEVICES. YOUR INPUT IS NEEDED IN THIS. THANK YOU *TR
NHTSA ODI #10565190
16,500 miles · May 1, 2013
EngineService Brakes
OUR ENGINE BLEW UP- SPECIFICALLY, THE CRANKSHAFT BROKE THROUGH THE 3RD CYLINDER. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY OUR KIA DEALERSHIP IN THE MIDDLE OF MARCH - OIL/FILTER CHANGE AND INSPECTION. THE NEXT WEEK WE LEFT ON VACATION TO FLORIDA FOR A CRUISE. VEHICLE WAS STORED AT A LONG TERM STORAGE FACILITY FOR THE WEEK. ABOUT 10 HOURS INTO…
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OUR ENGINE BLEW UP- SPECIFICALLY, THE CRANKSHAFT BROKE THROUGH THE 3RD CYLINDER. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY OUR KIA DEALERSHIP IN THE MIDDLE OF MARCH - OIL/FILTER CHANGE AND INSPECTION. THE NEXT WEEK WE LEFT ON VACATION TO FLORIDA FOR A CRUISE. VEHICLE WAS STORED AT A LONG TERM STORAGE FACILITY FOR THE WEEK. ABOUT 10 HOURS INTO OUR RETURN ROAD TRIP, WE CHECKED THE OIL LEVEL. CAR WAS ALMOST 2 QUARTS LOW. WE ADDED AN ADDITIONAL QUART. THERE IS NO INDICATION ON THE DASH THAT ANYTHING IS WRONG WITH THE ENGINE OR THE OIL. WE CONTINUED ON OUR WAY. ANOTHER 5 HOURS INTO OUR TRIP, WE ARE DRIVING ALONG WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET. THE ENGINE STARTS MAKING LOUD KNOCKING NOISES, I AM UNABLE TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL EVEN THOUGH I AM FRANTICALLY PRESSING THE BRAKE. THE ENGINE IS REVVING LOUDER AND LOUDER UNTIL WE HEAR A LOUD BANG AND THE ENTIRE CAR LOOSES POWER. WE ARE PAST OUR 100,000 MILE WARRANTY WITH KIA. HOWEVER, THERE ARE TWO FACTORS AT PLAY HERE THAT CAN BE CONTRIBUTED TO THE CAR DAMAGE: 1.) THE OIL WAS LOW AFTER ONLY 2-3 WEEKS AFTER AN OIL/FILTER CHANGE. I BELIEVE THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN MAY HAVE SOME CULPABILITY HERE BY NOT ADDING ENOUGH OIL OR NOT TIGHTENING A CAP, ETC. IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE THAT THE OIL WAS LOW. 2.) I RECENTLY FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE BRAKE LIGHT FOR OUR 2007 KIA RONDO. THAT IT MAY CAUSE AN INABILITY TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL. IN ADDITION TO MY HUSBAND, WE HAD ANOTHER COUPLE IN THE CAR WITH US WHO CAN ATTEST TO MY FRANTIC ACTIONS TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL. MY ONLINE RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT KIA HAD A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH BLOWN MOTORS. THEY NO LONGER MAKE THE ENGINE FOR OUR VEHICLE. TO FIX THIS VEHICLE, IT WOULD HAVE TO BE RETROFITTED WITH A CURRENT MOTOR. THIS IS VERY EXPENSIVE. OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A REASON WHY THOSE MOTORS AREN'T IN PRODUCTION ANYMORE. WHY HAVEN'T THEY RECALLED THESE ENGINES? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10510306
90,000 miles · Mar 20, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes
STARTED CAR, ABS LIGHT AND ESC LIGHT STAY ILLUMINATED. BOTH LIGHTS WILL INTTERMITTENLY COME ON. THEY WILL STAY ON FOR RANDOM AMOUNTS OF TIME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10503858
77,000 miles · Mar 13, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineService Brakes
I WAS DRIVING MY 2007 KIA RONDO AT HIGHWAY SPEED WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON WHEN THE ENGINE SPEED REVVED UP DRAMATICALLY-AS IF THE TRANSMISSION HAD DISENGAGED. STEPPED ON THE BRAKES, CRUISE DISENGAGED AND ENGINE SLOWED. AROUND THE SAME TIME, NOTICED THE ABS AND ESC OFF LIGHTS WOULD COME ON INTERMITTENTLY, STAY ON, THEN NOT COME…
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I WAS DRIVING MY 2007 KIA RONDO AT HIGHWAY SPEED WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON WHEN THE ENGINE SPEED REVVED UP DRAMATICALLY-AS IF THE TRANSMISSION HAD DISENGAGED. STEPPED ON THE BRAKES, CRUISE DISENGAGED AND ENGINE SLOWED. AROUND THE SAME TIME, NOTICED THE ABS AND ESC OFF LIGHTS WOULD COME ON INTERMITTENTLY, STAY ON, THEN NOT COME ON. AT SLOW SPEED TURNS AFTER THE CAR SET FOR A WHILE, THE ABS WOULD ENGAGE ON DRY PAVEMENT (WITHOUT LIGHT) AND CAR DID NOT SLOW NORMALLY. WENT TO DEALER, WHO SAID THE ISSUE WAS A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, WHICH WAS REPLACED AND VEHICLE TAKEN FOR A TEST DRIVE. WHEN I PICKED THE CAR UP, BOTH THE ABS AND ESC OFF LIGHTS WERE OFF, BUT CAME ON WITHIN MINUTES OF LEAVING THE LOT. LATER THAT NIGHT, ABS STARTED ACTING UP AGAIN-ONCE WITHOUT EVEN STEPPING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. TAKING THE CAR BACK TO DEALER TOMORROW TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON. ONLY LEARNED OF STOP LIGHT SWITCH RECALL BY WEB SEARCH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10502727
Official recalls
3Apr 1, 2013
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. 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: Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.
Jan 17, 2012
KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. (KIA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2008 KIA OPTIMA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 29, 2005, THROUGH JANUARY 29, 2008, AND MODEL YEAR 2007 AND 2008 KIA RONDO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 13, 2006, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2008. THE CLOCK SPRING CONTACT ASSEMBLY FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) MAY BECOME DAMAGED THROUGH USAGE OVER TIME. IF THE CLOCK SPRING CONTACT ASSEMBLY BECOMES DAMAGED, THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT WILL EXPERIENCE A HIGH RESISTANCE CONDITION POTENTIALLY CAUSING THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG TO NOT DEPLOY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE CLOCK SPRING DEVELOPS HIGH RESISTANCE, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVERS AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT THE DRIVER, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.
Remedy: KIA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE VEHICLE'S AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING CONTACT ASSEMBLY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 11, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.
Apr 17, 2009
HUYNDAI-KIA IS RECALLING 139,844 MY 2006-2007- SEDONA, SPORTAGE, SORENTO AND MY RONDO AND AMANTI VEHICLES. THE STOP LAMP SWITCH IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION. A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED OR MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED. A STOP LAMP SWITCH MALFUNCTION MAY ALSO AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK FEATURE SO THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE SHIFTED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. IT MAY ALSO CAUSE THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) MALFUNCTION LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, AND IT MAY NOT DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: ANY OF THESE MALFUNCTIONS, ALONE OR IN COMBINATION, MAY LEAD TO A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 17, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA'S CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.
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
1DP22003 · 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.