MY VEHICLE REVES UP HIGH WHEN I START IT AND WHEN I'M ON THE HIGHWAY IT WOULD JUST CUT OFF AND THERE'S GAS FUMES I SMELLINSIDE MY KIA, IT ALSO HESITATES WHILE DRIVING.
2008 Kia Rondo
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2008 Kia Rondo do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 72.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Rondo years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
84 reports with mileage · 13 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.
- Air Bags. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
11 reportsMY RONDO SPEEDS UP WHILE I'M DRIVING IT ON THE ROAD, AND IT SMELLS OF GAS INSIDE MY RONDO, IT RUNS HIGH WHEN I START IT AND THERE'S A HESITATION BEFORE IT DRIVES.
WHILE STARTING THE CAR, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATES. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES , LUCKY NO ONE HAS BEEN INJURED. ALSO SOMETIMES, THE VEHICLE STALLS, STEERING DOESNT MOVE, BRAKES ARE JAMMED. ONCE I SHUT THE CAR AND RESTART AGAIN, IT SOMETIME WORK NORMALLY.
I WAS PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY WHEN I STARTED TO BACK UP TO STRAIGHTEN MYSELF UP SO THAT I COULD PULL STRAIGHT UP INTO THE DRIVEWAY. AND WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE PEDAL, THE PEDAL WAS STUCK CAUSING ME TO ACCELERATE AT ABOUT 60MPH. MY CAR WENT OVER A TREE STUMP RESULTING IN ME CRASHING INTO THE NEIGHBORS HOUSE. WHILE THIS WAS HA…
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I WAS PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY WHEN I STARTED TO BACK UP TO STRAIGHTEN MYSELF UP SO THAT I COULD PULL STRAIGHT UP INTO THE DRIVEWAY. AND WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE PEDAL, THE PEDAL WAS STUCK CAUSING ME TO ACCELERATE AT ABOUT 60MPH. MY CAR WENT OVER A TREE STUMP RESULTING IN ME CRASHING INTO THE NEIGHBORS HOUSE. WHILE THIS WAS HAPPENING, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT PROPERLY WORK. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RONDO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A POWER CABLE UNIT. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT HAND. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RONDO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A POWER CABLE UNIT. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT HAND. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE ACCELERATION FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,500. UPDATED 01/09/14 UPDATED 03/05/14*LJ
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RONDO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN BRAKING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD TO SHIFT INTO PARK FOR THE VEHICLE TO COMPLETELY STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR DUPLICATE THE FAI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RONDO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN BRAKING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD TO SHIFT INTO PARK FOR THE VEHICLE TO COMPLETELY STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 13,378. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 41,131.
THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON MY 2008 KIA RONDO HAVE NOT BEEN WORKING CONSISTENTLY. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY SEVERAL INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE DRIVING BEHIND ME IN THE PAST FEW DAYS THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE "OUT". HOWEVER, THEY DID WORK WHEN I CHECKED AT ONE POINT AFTER THE WARNING AND THEN ANOTHER DRIVER TOLD ME THE SAME THING. I REPLACED THE LIGH…
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THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON MY 2008 KIA RONDO HAVE NOT BEEN WORKING CONSISTENTLY. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY SEVERAL INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE DRIVING BEHIND ME IN THE PAST FEW DAYS THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS ARE "OUT". HOWEVER, THEY DID WORK WHEN I CHECKED AT ONE POINT AFTER THE WARNING AND THEN ANOTHER DRIVER TOLD ME THE SAME THING. I REPLACED THE LIGHTS AND NOW THEY DO NOT WORK AT ALL. I HAVE CHECKED THE FUSES AND THE FUSES HAVE NOT BLOWN. I HAVE SEEN A "RECALL" FOR AN EARLIER YEAR KIA. THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING TO MY KIA. MY KIA SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE "RECALL". THIS COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS CRASH. I HAVE NO IDEA IF THE LIGHTS WILL WORK OR NOT. RIGHT NOW, THEY DO NOT. KIA HAS TOO, TOO MANY PROBLEMS WITH ITS VEHICLES TO EVEN ARGUE AGAINST MY POINT. THIS IS FAR FROM THE ONLY DANGEROUS ISSUE THAT I HAVE WITH MY KIA. AT THIS POINT, I AM SIMPLY FED UP. I CALLED KIA MOTORS AND SPOKE TO A CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AND ASKED HOW TO MAKE A FORMAL COMPLAINT BECAUSE I RECEIVED TWO "VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN" NOTICES; ONE FOR THE AIR BAG AND ONE FOR THE REAR CROSS-MEMBER OF THE CAR. I AM FACING PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. THE OTHER ISSUES ARE SURGING OF THE CAR WITHOUT PRESSING ON THE GAS AND EVEN WHILE PRESSING ON THE BRAKE AND THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILING RIGHT AFTER THE WARRANTY ENDED. KIA NEEDS TO BE REPRIMANDED AND FORCED TO FIX THESE CARS. ADDITIONALLY, IT IS A SERIOUS CONFLICT OF INTEREST TO HAVE KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE EMPLOYEES RESPONSIBLE FOR SENDING NOTIFICATIONS OF PROBLEMS WITH KIA CARS TO THE NHSTA. WHO OVERSEES THAT THIS IS DONE HONESTLY BY THE CAR COMPANIES?
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RONDO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STOMP LAMP SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED AND AND AS A RESULT, NONE OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION WOULD NOT DISENGAGE WHEN ACTIVATED AND THE ESC OFF WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RONDO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STOMP LAMP SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED AND AND AS A RESULT, NONE OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION WOULD NOT DISENGAGE WHEN ACTIVATED AND THE ESC OFF WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE STOMP LAMP SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,200. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,100.
ACCELERATOR IS "DRIVE BY WIRE". THE ENGINE EXPERIENCES HESITATION, WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A STOP, ABOUT 50% OF THE TIME, WHEN THE AC IS ON. SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO ACCELERATE, THEN THE ENGINE DROPS TO IDLE SPEED, EVEN WHEN YOU DEPRESS THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. THIS CAN CAUSE YOU TO BE STRUCK BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC, WHEN YOU ARE…
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ACCELERATOR IS "DRIVE BY WIRE". THE ENGINE EXPERIENCES HESITATION, WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A STOP, ABOUT 50% OF THE TIME, WHEN THE AC IS ON. SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO ACCELERATE, THEN THE ENGINE DROPS TO IDLE SPEED, EVEN WHEN YOU DEPRESS THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. THIS CAN CAUSE YOU TO BE STRUCK BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC, WHEN YOU ARE ENTERING A HIGHWAY OR ROADWAY. USUALLY THE VEHICLE WILL THEN TAKE OFF UNEXPECTEDLY SCREECHING THE TIRES, WHEN THIS OCCURS. BUT, SOMETIMES, WHEN IT DOES BEGIN TO ACCELERATE AFTER ONE OF THESE OCCURRENCES, IT WILL VERY SLOWLY BEGIN TO PICK UP SPEED, AS IF IT IS STARVING FOR GAS. THIS COULD ALSO PUT YOU IN DANGER OF BEING STRUCK FROM ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THESE OCCURRENCES ARE WORSE, WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING IS ON. SOMETIMES, WHEN YOU ARE TAKING OFF FROM A STOP AND PUTTING VERY LITTLE PRESSURE ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE CAR TAKES OFF ABRUPTLY, SQUEALING THE TIRES AS IF YOU HAD DEPRESSED THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR SUDDENLY. WHEN THE PAVEMENT IS WET, THIS WILL CAUSE THE TIRES TO SPIN AND THEN THE ENGINE WILL DROP TO AN IDLE, LEAVING YOU SUSCEPTIBLE TO BEING STRUCK FROM ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE DEALER HAS TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, EVEN AFTER THE "MECHANIC" RODE WITH ME AND SAID HE COULD FEEL IT ACCELERATING IN STEPS. THESE OCCURRENCES OF DROPPING TO IDLE SPEED, UNEXPECTEDLY, MAY OCCUR ONLY ONCE IN TWO MONTHS OR THEY MAY OCCUR TWO OR THREE TIMES IN ONE WEEK. HOTTER OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE SEEMS TO CAUSE THE PROBLEM TO WORSEN. *KB
THERE WERE THINGS LEADING UP TO THE INCIDENT THAT I WAS NOT AWARE OF AS A PROBLEM AS THE ESC LIGHT WOULD GO ON, BUT THEN IT WOULD TURN OFF AND I WAS ALWAYS TOLD THAT I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ANYTHING UNLESS THE LIGHT GOES ON AND STAYS ON, SO I NEVER HAD IT CHECKED. THE OTHER NIGHT AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD I HAD MY …
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THERE WERE THINGS LEADING UP TO THE INCIDENT THAT I WAS NOT AWARE OF AS A PROBLEM AS THE ESC LIGHT WOULD GO ON, BUT THEN IT WOULD TURN OFF AND I WAS ALWAYS TOLD THAT I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ANYTHING UNLESS THE LIGHT GOES ON AND STAYS ON, SO I NEVER HAD IT CHECKED. THE OTHER NIGHT AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD I HAD MY 2008 KIA RONDO IN CRUISE CONTROL. WHEN I NEEDED TO BREAK, THE CAR SLOWED DOWN A LITTLE, BUT THE AUTOMATIC CRUISE CONTROL CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE MY CAR. THE PRACTICE OF APPLYING THE BREAK DID NOT TURN OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL AND I CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. ONLY WHEN I HIT THE CANCEL BUTTON ON THE COLUMN DID THE CRUISE CONTROL TURN OFF. WHEN I GOT TO THE LOCATION I NEEDED TO GO TO I COULD ONLY GET THE CAR TO GO FROM DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL. IT WOULD NOT GO BACK INTO PARK AND LET ME TAKE THE KEYS OUT OF THE CAR. WHEN I WENT BACK HOME THIS STOPPED AND EVERYTHING WENT BACK TO NORMAL. UPON CALLING THE DEALERSHIP WITH WHAT WAS GOING ON, THEY ASKED IF I EVER HAD THE BREAK SWITCH REPLACED. I SAID NO. THEY SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE THAT WAS WHAT IT WAS, BUT IF IT WERE UNDER RECALL, I WOULD HAVE GOTTEN A NOTICE. THEY SAID THEY WOULD TAKE CARE OF IT ANYWAY. I LOOKED AND SAW THAT THE 2007 RONDO HAD A RECALL WITH THE EXACT SAME THING MY CAR HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING. WHEN I GOT TO THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE I NOW HAD 69,000 MILES ON MY CAR, THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO CHARGE ME TO REPLACE THE SWITCH. BUT, HAD I GONE IN BEFORE 60,000 THEY ARE JUST REPLACING THEM AUTOMATICALLY IN ALL RONDO VEHICLES. IT FEELS TO ME THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO GET AROUND ANOTHER RECALL, BUT TRYING TO MAKE MONEY ON THOSE OF US WHO DRIVE LONG DISTANCES AT WORK AND ARE NOW HAVING PROBLEMS. *TR
Official recalls
313V114000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
Apr 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.
12V014000 · Air Bags:frontal
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.
08V459000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage
Sep 11, 2008
KIA IS RECALLING 6,680 MY 2008-2009 RONDO LX AND EX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.4 LITER ENGINE. THE FUEL PUMP MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY RESULTING IN NOT ENOUGH FUEL GETTING TO THE ENGINE. POOR ENGINE STARTING, ENGINE HESITATION, AND OTHER IMPAIRMENT MAY RESULT, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT MAY ILLUMINATE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: UNUSUALLY SEVERE IMPAIRMENT WHILE DRIVING COULD EXPOSE THE DRIVER TO THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP SUB-ASSEMBLY WITH AN IMPROVED PART. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 22, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA 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.
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