NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
67 reportsClear category filter73,000 miles · Jan 31, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineSteering
WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON MY DASH ILLUMINATED AND THE CAR IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF. I SHIFT INTO PARK AND RESTART THE CAR WITH NO PROBLEMS AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED. NO OTHER ISSUES OCCURRED UNTIL TODAY (3 WEEKS LATER). THI…
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WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON MY DASH ILLUMINATED AND THE CAR IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF. I SHIFT INTO PARK AND RESTART THE CAR WITH NO PROBLEMS AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED. NO OTHER ISSUES OCCURRED UNTIL TODAY (3 WEEKS LATER). THIS TIME I STARTED MY CAR AND WAS DRIVING THROUGH A PARKING LOT WITH NO SIGNS OF A PROBLEM. AFTER I STOPPED, TO LET A CAR OUT IN FRONT OF ME, I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE TO PROCEED. IMMEDIATELY AS I STEPPED ON THE GAS, THE DASH ILLUMINATED, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, AND THE CAR SHUT OFF. I TRIED RESTARTING IT A FEW TIMES, BUT IT WOULDN'T BUDGE AT ALL. I SHUT OFF ALL ELECTRICAL DEVICES, SUCH AS HEADLIGHTS, RADIO, AND HAZARD LIGHTS AND TRIED STARTING IT AGAIN. THIS TIME IT STARTED AS IF NOTHING WAS WRONG. I DROVE AROUND STOPPING AND GOING FOR ANOTHER 45 MINS TO SEE IF IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN, AND NOTHING. BASED ON WHAT I'VE BEEN READING, IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. WHY ISN'T THIS GETTING THE SAME ATTENTION TOYOTA AND GMC CARS RECEIVED WHEN THEIR CARS EXPERIENCED DANGEROUS MALFUNCTIONS IN SEVERAL OF THEIR CARS? PERHAPS THE MEDIA NEEDS TO BE ALERTED TO THIS TO ACTUALLY BRING MORE ATTENTION TO THE MATTER. APPARENTLY KIA IS WAITING FOR A FEW DEATHS FIRST BEFORE THEY PART WITH MONEY TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10680108
109,000 miles · Jan 10, 2015
EngineService BrakesSteering
I WAS DRIVING OUT OF WALGREENS PARKING LOT ON 6/2/2013 IN ALSIP, ILLINOIS. AS I PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT THE PARKING SPACE THEN I PLACED IT IN DRIVE IT WAS FINE. THEN I GOT READY TO TURN THE WHEEL TO COME OUT THE PARKING LOT AND IT WAS VERY HARD TO TURN. THEN MY LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. THE BRAKE LIGHT & ENGINE…
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I WAS DRIVING OUT OF WALGREENS PARKING LOT ON 6/2/2013 IN ALSIP, ILLINOIS. AS I PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT THE PARKING SPACE THEN I PLACED IT IN DRIVE IT WAS FINE. THEN I GOT READY TO TURN THE WHEEL TO COME OUT THE PARKING LOT AND IT WAS VERY HARD TO TURN. THEN MY LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. THE BRAKE LIGHT & ENGINE LIGHT. I THEN PLACED MY FEET ON THE BRAKES AND PLACED IT BACK IN P (PARK) AND TIRED TO PUT IN DRIVE AGAIN AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. IT WAS VERY HARD TO TURN TO GET IT OUT OF THE WAY. I ENDED UP GOING UP THE STREET TO AUTOZONE TO SEE IF THEY CAN PUT IN ON THE MACHINE OR EVEN LOOK AT IT TO SEE WHAT'S WRONG. THEY LOOKED AT IT AND TOLD ME IT LOOKS LIKE MY PULLEY BELT IS CRACKED / BREAKING / BROKE. SO I PARK IT IN A RESIDUAL AREA, AND I CALLED KIA DEALERSHIP IN OAKLAWN, IL TO ORDER THE PART AS AUTOZONE TOLD ME THEY DID NOT HAVE THAT PART I WILL HAVE TO GO TO THE DEALER. SO I CALLED KIA TO GET THE PART AND THEY SAID I HAD TO ORDER IT. I DID JUST THAT PICKED IT UP HAD THE TOW TRUCK TO TAKE TO THE AUTOSHOP FOR REPAIR. ONCE THE MECHANIC LOOKED AT IT HE STARTED THE BOLT WAS HARD TO GET OFF TO GET TO THE PULLEY. HE STATED IT IS A 50/50 CHANCE THAT IT MAY BREAK. IF IT DOES THEN I WOULD NEED A ENGINE. I THEN TOLD HIM DON'T TOUCH IT OR WORRY ABOUT IT I WILL HAVE IT TOWED TO KIA IN RIVER OAKS WHICH I DID. THEY LOOKED AT IT AND STATED THE SAME THING. I SAID WELL LETS PRAY THEY IT DOES NOT BREAK HE LAUGHED AND SAID OK. THE MECHANIC CALLED ME BACK A HOUR LATER AN SAID IT BROKE I'M GONNA NEED A ENGINE. HE TOLD ME THE PRICE, AND I COULD NOT AFFORD IT SO I HAD IT TOWED TO MY HOUSE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10671565
113,000 miles · Jan 7, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineSteering
I WENT TO THE BANK IN NOVEMBER OF 2014. I SHUT MY CAR OFF BECAUSE ITS STARTED TO MAKE A LOUD NOISE . I TRIED TO START IT WHEN I WAS DONE AND IT WOULD NOT START. I WAS ABLE TO GET A JUMP TO START IT BACK UP BUT IT KEEP ON DYING. I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET IT STARTED ENOUGH TO GET IT HOME . IT DIED RIGHT BEFORE MY HOUSE SO WE HAD T…
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I WENT TO THE BANK IN NOVEMBER OF 2014. I SHUT MY CAR OFF BECAUSE ITS STARTED TO MAKE A LOUD NOISE . I TRIED TO START IT WHEN I WAS DONE AND IT WOULD NOT START. I WAS ABLE TO GET A JUMP TO START IT BACK UP BUT IT KEEP ON DYING. I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET IT STARTED ENOUGH TO GET IT HOME . IT DIED RIGHT BEFORE MY HOUSE SO WE HAD TO PUSH IT INTO THE DRIVEWAY. WHEN I WAS DRIVING IT HOME THE ELECTRICAL KEPT CUTTING IN AND OUT AND IT WAS MAKING A LOUD NOISE. COME TO FIND OUT THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT BROKE OFF INTO THE ENGINE.I ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 8 MONTHS AND PAID $8700.00 FOR THE CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10670791
85,000 miles · Dec 29, 2014
Engine
STARTED MAKING LOUD KNOCKING NOISE TOOK TO REPAIR SHOP TO FIND OUT THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT, AS MANY OTHER KIA OWNERS HAVE BEEN HAVING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10668904
73,000 miles · Dec 23, 2014
Engine
WAS SITTING PARKED THANKFULLY BUT THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT SHEARED OFF CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND LOSS OF ALTERNATOR. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED WITHIN A YEAR. THANKFULLY WE WEREN'T IN MOTION WHEN THIS HAPPENED. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AS THIS KEEPS HAPPENING AND HAS HAPPENED TO A LOT OF KIA SORENTO OWNERS (LOOKI…
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WAS SITTING PARKED THANKFULLY BUT THE CRANKSHAFT BOLT SHEARED OFF CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND LOSS OF ALTERNATOR. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED WITHIN A YEAR. THANKFULLY WE WEREN'T IN MOTION WHEN THIS HAPPENED. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AS THIS KEEPS HAPPENING AND HAS HAPPENED TO A LOT OF KIA SORENTO OWNERS (LOOKING ONLINE). KIA ISSUED A SERVICE MEMO TELLING THE SERVICE PEOPLE TO USE AN UPGRADED BOLT, HOWEVER WE HAD THE UPGRADED BOLT AND THE ISSUE STILL OCCURRED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10667848
138,000 miles · Nov 6, 2014
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT BOLT FRACTURED AS A RESULT THE ENGINE AND CRANK SHAFT BOLT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT BOLT FRACTURED AS A RESULT THE ENGINE AND CRANK SHAFT BOLT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.
NHTSA ODI #10653190
108,000 miles · Oct 28, 2014
Engine
MY 2006 KIA SORENTO, MANUFACTURED IN AUGUST 2005 & WAS A BASIC VEHICLE, NO LUXURY MODEL.A RENTAL CAR BUSINESS WAS 1ST OWNER AND ONLY HAD IT FOR A FEW MONTHS, THEN I BOUGHT IT FROM A DEALER IN SEPT 2006 W 14,000 MILES. IT IS 8 YEARS OLD WITH 108,000 MILES. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON, I HEARD LOUD BANGING IN THE HOOD, THE…
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MY 2006 KIA SORENTO, MANUFACTURED IN AUGUST 2005 & WAS A BASIC VEHICLE, NO LUXURY MODEL.A RENTAL CAR BUSINESS WAS 1ST OWNER AND ONLY HAD IT FOR A FEW MONTHS, THEN I BOUGHT IT FROM A DEALER IN SEPT 2006 W 14,000 MILES. IT IS 8 YEARS OLD WITH 108,000 MILES. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON, I HEARD LOUD BANGING IN THE HOOD, THEN SUDDENLY IT TURNED OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON CITY STREETS. TRAFFIC WAS SLOW MOVING. I HAD IT TOWED TO AN EXPERT MECHANIC AND OWNER OF HIS OWN SHOP. MY MECHANIC HAS DONE SOME PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE IN THE PAST AND CONSIDERED IT TO BE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. HE TOOK THE ENGINE APART AND FOUND PIECES BROKEN OFF FROM THE "INTAKE RUNNER BUTTERFLY VALVE ASSEMBLY & FELL INTO THE ENGINE; ALSO THERE WAS A BUSHING FAILURE IN THE LOWER INDUCTION MANIFOLD. MY 3.5 ENGINE WAS TOTALED WITHIN MINUTES ALONG WITH ALL SURROUNDING PARTS. THE SAME ENGINE AS IN THE RECALL. MY KIA HAS A 3.5 ENGINE, SAME AS IN THE RECALL BULLETIN #TT2008020601. THE RECALL BULLETIN WAS FOR KIA MODELS 2003-2005, YET THIS EXACT INCIDENT WAS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL BULLETIN. I HAVE TWO PHOTOS OF SOME OF THE DAMAGE (1ST PHOTO IS THE INTAKE RUNNER ASSEMBLY W/TWO BROKEN MISSING BUTTERFLIES FOR CYLINDERS 5 & 6 & THE 2ND PHOTO OF A PIECE OF THE BUTTERFLY STUCK IN THE INTAKE PORT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD -BOTH TAKEN ON 9-12-2014.) I THEN HAD IT TOWED TO A GARDEN GROVE KIA DEALERSHIP. THEY INSPECTED & GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE OF $11,700. ALL THEY SAID IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THAT 2006 MODELS WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. HOW CAN KIA CORPORATION GUARANTEE THAT THE SAME INFERIOR PARTS WERE NOT INSTALLED IN MY 2006 SORENTO? IT WAS MANUFACTURED IN 2005. KIA CORPORATION SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DAMAGE DUE TO THE FACT THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT COMPLETELY RESOLVED WITH THE 2005 MODELS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10650855
58,600 miles · Oct 3, 2014
EnginePower Train
ON 09/18/2014 ARRIVING HOME I STARTED TO HEAR LOUD RUMBLE NOISES COMING FROM THE ENGINE, TOOK IT TO A LOCAL SHOP AND WAS TOLD IT MIGHT BE THE PULLEYS, HOWEVER, IT WAS DETERMINED THE NEXT DAY - DIFFERENT SHOP THAT COULD MAKE THE REPAIRS, THE CRANKSHAFT PIN SHEARED OFF (THIS WORK WAS PREVIOUSLY DONE ON MARCH 2014 AT A TOTAL OF 1,8…
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ON 09/18/2014 ARRIVING HOME I STARTED TO HEAR LOUD RUMBLE NOISES COMING FROM THE ENGINE, TOOK IT TO A LOCAL SHOP AND WAS TOLD IT MIGHT BE THE PULLEYS, HOWEVER, IT WAS DETERMINED THE NEXT DAY - DIFFERENT SHOP THAT COULD MAKE THE REPAIRS, THE CRANKSHAFT PIN SHEARED OFF (THIS WORK WAS PREVIOUSLY DONE ON MARCH 2014 AT A TOTAL OF 1,800+ AND HERE IT IS AGAIN!). MECHANIC AT THE SHOP WAS THE ONE THAT SAVED ME $$ THIS TIME AS HE NOTICED THE WORK AS VERY RECENT, AND SUGGESTED I TAKE IT BACK TO WHERE THE REPAIR HAD BEEN DONE IN MARCH. ONE WEEK LATER - 09/26/2014 I HAD MY CAR BACK. HOWEVER, I SUSPECT THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN, SINCE THERE ARE SO MANY OTHERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS, AND HOW MANY OTHER REPAIR SHOPS CONTINUE TO ORDER THE SAME PART OVER AND OVER. REALLY? HELLO KIA, THEY NEED TO STEP UP TO THIS SITUATION, BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. I AM SO GLAD I LISTEN TO MY SUV AND TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICING, AS THIS COULD HAVE HAD DISASTROUS RESULTS IF I WERE ON THE HIGHWAY GOING AT A HIGHER SPEED. THE BEST THING HERE WAS THE HONEST MECHANIC! I WILL NEVER GET ANOTHER KIA, AND IF IT DOES HAPPEN AGAIN, THAT'S WHEN I WILL GET ANOTHER VEHICLE. AS I CONTINUE TO DRIVE, I FEEL THAT MY SUV IS JUST NOT THE SAME, THE ENGINE MAY HAVE HAD SOME DAMAGE TO WHICH I HAVE NO IDEA HOW SERIOUS. I LEARNED ABOUT A YEAR AGO THAT THE KIA 2006 SUV/SORENTO WE A VERY BAD YEAR FOR THIS MODEL AND IT IS TRUE, THIS IS NOT THE ONLY HIGH COSTING REPAIR I HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR, AND I DO NOT EVEN HAVE 60,000 ON IT YET! WORSE SUV I HAVE EVER BROUGHT! NEVER AGAIN. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE, YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN AS YOU ARE DRIVING, AND I ALWAYS RENT INSTEAD OF TAKING THIS VEHICLE, I HAVE NO CONFIDENCE AT ALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10641168
113,000 miles · Sep 18, 2014
Engine
CAR AT FIRST WOULD SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING , PULLED CAR OVER AND WOULD START BACK UP, TOOK CAR TO MECHANIC AND SAID IT WAS THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR, REPLACE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR, FEW WEEKS LATER PROBLEM RETURN, MECHANIC THOUGHT IT WAS THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR STILL HAD THE PROBLEM OF CAR SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING IN CITY AND HIGHWAY.FINA…
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CAR AT FIRST WOULD SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING , PULLED CAR OVER AND WOULD START BACK UP, TOOK CAR TO MECHANIC AND SAID IT WAS THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR, REPLACE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR, FEW WEEKS LATER PROBLEM RETURN, MECHANIC THOUGHT IT WAS THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR STILL HAD THE PROBLEM OF CAR SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING IN CITY AND HIGHWAY.FINALLY AFTER MONTHS OF BACK IN AND OUT OF THE MECHANICS WHILE DRIVING CRANKSHAFT BOLT BROKE WHILE DRIVING, AFFECTING THE HARMONICA BALANCER AND TIMING BELT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE ALL POWER IN THE CAR AND HAD NO POWER STEERING, VERY LITTLE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, COASTED INTO DRIVEWAY LUCKILY NO ON-COMING CARS , AFTER SPENDING SEVERAL HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS FOR REPAIRS, MECHANIC IS TELLING ME THE ENGINE IS NO GOOD, CAR IS UNDRIVABLE NEEDS NEW ENGINE AT COST OF 5300 DOLLARS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10637412
47,840 miles · Aug 14, 2014
EngineService BrakesSteering
CAR DIES WHILE DRIVING. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARS. LATER CAR STARTS AND RUNS FINE UNTIL A FEW DAYS LATER AT NEXT FAILURE. DRIVER LOSES ENGINE, POWER STEERING, AND POWER BRAKES. ENGINE CODE FINALLY APPEARS AFTER 3RD INCIDENT AND IS P0337 - CRANK SHAFT POSITIONING SENSOR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND MAY LEAD TO A CRASH OR…
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CAR DIES WHILE DRIVING. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARS. LATER CAR STARTS AND RUNS FINE UNTIL A FEW DAYS LATER AT NEXT FAILURE. DRIVER LOSES ENGINE, POWER STEERING, AND POWER BRAKES. ENGINE CODE FINALLY APPEARS AFTER 3RD INCIDENT AND IS P0337 - CRANK SHAFT POSITIONING SENSOR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND MAY LEAD TO A CRASH OR DEATH SINCE DRIVER LOOSES ALL FUNCTIONS OF VEHICLE. DEALER AT KIA CERRITOS, CALIF. SEEMED UNCONCERNED AND STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE UNDER WARRANTY, SINCE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED, EVEN WITH LOW MILEAGE. THIS IS SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED AS A RECALL. INDEPENDENT AUTO REPAIR SHOP GROUP DATA BASES SHOW 100'S OF INCIDENCES OF SAME PART FAILURE AND ENGINE CODE WITH KIA SORENTO AND LOW VEHICLE MILEAGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10622361
NHTSA investigations
1DP21003 · 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.