NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
8 reportsClear category filter157,000 miles · Nov 29, 2016
Vehicle Speed Control
AS I SLOWED FROM ABOUT 20MPH TO MAKE A STOP ON APPROACH AT A CROWDED INTERSECTION, MY CAR SUDDENLY BECAME POSSESSED; WHILE I WAS GENTLY BRAKING/DECELERATING, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY REVVED TO FULL POWER ON ITS OWN AND LURCHED FORWARD TOWARD THE CARS WAITING AT THE RED LIGHT! I MASHED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR BUT THE ROARING EN…
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AS I SLOWED FROM ABOUT 20MPH TO MAKE A STOP ON APPROACH AT A CROWDED INTERSECTION, MY CAR SUDDENLY BECAME POSSESSED; WHILE I WAS GENTLY BRAKING/DECELERATING, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY REVVED TO FULL POWER ON ITS OWN AND LURCHED FORWARD TOWARD THE CARS WAITING AT THE RED LIGHT! I MASHED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR BUT THE ROARING ENGINE WAS STRONGER AND IT WAS WINNING, KEEPING THE CAR MOVING FORWARD [THE TIRES WERE ACTUALLY SCREECHING AS I HAD THE BRAKES LOCKED, BUT THE STRENGTH OF THE ENGINE WAS STILL MOVING THE CAR FORWARD TOWARD THE CARS AT THE INTERSECTION]. IN A LAST-DITCH EFFORT TO PREVENT COLLISION WITH CARS, I SWERVED RIGHT, AIMING FOR A UTILITY POLE ON THE SIDEWALK AT THE INTERSECTION [FIGURING THAT WOULD BE STRONG ENOUGH TO STOP THE FORWARD MOTION OF THE CAR, AND WOULD ALSO STOP THE CAR WITHOUT ME HITTING ANY OTHER CARS]. THE CAR MASHED INTO THE HIGH CURB, DAMAGING THE TIRE AND THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE CAR. THEN, AS SUDDENLY AS THE REVVING HAD STARTED, THE CAR RELEASED ACCELERATION, SETTLED DOWN, AND RETURNED POWER TO ME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10928670
151,000 miles · May 23, 2016
EngineExterior LightingVehicle Speed Control
MY 2006 KIA SORENTO HAS HAD A FEW PROBLEMS THAT I FEAR MAY BE VERY DANGEROUS. A FEW MONTHS AGO I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND IT FELT LIKE IT WAS SPEEDING UP ON ITS OWN. AS I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY ON AN S CURVE THE CAR COMPLETELY DIED. THE BATTERY AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. IT STARTED BACK UP AND I GOT TO WORK. THE NEXT MORNING…
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MY 2006 KIA SORENTO HAS HAD A FEW PROBLEMS THAT I FEAR MAY BE VERY DANGEROUS. A FEW MONTHS AGO I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND IT FELT LIKE IT WAS SPEEDING UP ON ITS OWN. AS I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY ON AN S CURVE THE CAR COMPLETELY DIED. THE BATTERY AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. IT STARTED BACK UP AND I GOT TO WORK. THE NEXT MORNING ON THE WAY TO WORK IT DIED AGAIN AT THE SAME SPOT ON THE OFF RAMP. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED AND MISSED A DAY OF WORK BECAUSE OF IT. I BROUGHT IT INTO THE SHOP AND MECHANIC SAID THE ALTERNATOR BELT WAS LOOSE AND HE FIXED IT. HOWEVER ITS HAPPENED SINCE NUMEROUS TIMES WHEN I TURN THE CAR OFF AND TRY TO START IT AGAIN THE CAR WONT START AT ALL FOR 20 MINUTES TO A COUPLE HOURS. NOW RECENTLY IT WILL SHUT OFF AS I'M DRIVING AND STEERING WHEEL IS VERY HARD TO TURN. IT IS GETTING MORE AND MORE FREQUENT AND IS EFFECTING WORK. KIA DEALERSHIPS REFUSE TO FIX IT AT COST EVEN THOUGH IT SEEMS LIKE A BIG PROBLEM THAT MANY KIA CUSTOMERS HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH. OTHER MECHANICS SAY THEY DON'T EVEN WANT TO TOUCH THE PROBLEM BECAUSE OF THE REVIEWS OF PROBLEMS ON THE INTERNET. PLEASE INFORM ME AND ANYTHING I CAN DO AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
NHTSA ODI #10870298
145,000 miles · Feb 13, 2016
EngineSteeringVehicle Speed ControlCrash
LESS THAN A YEAR PRIOR, TIMING BELT NEEDED REPLACED. A COSTLY FIX. ONLY MONTHS LATER DUE TO PROBLEM(COMMON ISSUE KIA IS AWARE OF) WITH CRANKSHAFT SENSOR, VEHICAL STALLED AND DIED DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THERE WAS NO WARNING FOR THIS AND WHEN THE ENGINE STOPPED WHILE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, I LOST ALL CONTROL OF POWER STEARING, S…
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LESS THAN A YEAR PRIOR, TIMING BELT NEEDED REPLACED. A COSTLY FIX. ONLY MONTHS LATER DUE TO PROBLEM(COMMON ISSUE KIA IS AWARE OF) WITH CRANKSHAFT SENSOR, VEHICAL STALLED AND DIED DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THERE WAS NO WARNING FOR THIS AND WHEN THE ENGINE STOPPED WHILE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, I LOST ALL CONTROL OF POWER STEARING, SPEED, BRAKES AND OTHER MAIN ELECRICAL COMPONETS. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A CURVE OF THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS OCCURED. THIS THREW ME INTO ONGOING TRAFFIC. LUCKILY, I ONLY HIT A HWY TRAFFIC SIGN. THE RECALLS FOR THIS VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE UPDATED AND ADDED TO. THIS VEHICAL SHOULD NOT BE ALOUD ON THE ROAD! ITS DANGEROUS FOR EVERYONE ON THE ROAD.
NHTSA ODI #10825925
130,000 miles · Apr 9, 2015
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control
I PURCHASED A 2006 KIA SORENTO FROM AN INDIVIDUAL. WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE TAIL LIGHTS, SIGNAL LIGHTS, CRUISE CONTROL, EMERGENCY BLINKERS, AND WINDOWS QUIT WORKING ALL AT ONCE. I HAVE BEEN DOING RESEARCH AND SEE THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS A LOT OF COMPLAINTS WITH ELECTRICAL ISSUES. ALSO, IN 2009 THERE WAS A RECALL. I NEED TO GET…
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I PURCHASED A 2006 KIA SORENTO FROM AN INDIVIDUAL. WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE TAIL LIGHTS, SIGNAL LIGHTS, CRUISE CONTROL, EMERGENCY BLINKERS, AND WINDOWS QUIT WORKING ALL AT ONCE. I HAVE BEEN DOING RESEARCH AND SEE THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS A LOT OF COMPLAINTS WITH ELECTRICAL ISSUES. ALSO, IN 2009 THERE WAS A RECALL. I NEED TO GET THIS RECALL CHECKED INTO AND ALSO MY VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE FIXED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10704839
73,100 miles · Feb 10, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineExterior Lighting
2006 KIA SORENTO COMPLAINT: ENGINE , STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , EXTERIOR LIGHTING ,THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR I AM CHANGING THE HEAD LIGHTS EVERY 4-5 MONTH AND I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT. WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON WITH NO WARNING. AND JUST LAST WEEK 2/2/2014 THE ENGINE ST…
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2006 KIA SORENTO COMPLAINT: ENGINE , STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , EXTERIOR LIGHTING ,THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR I AM CHANGING THE HEAD LIGHTS EVERY 4-5 MONTH AND I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT. WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON WITH NO WARNING. AND JUST LAST WEEK 2/2/2014 THE ENGINE STOPPED AND I HAD NO POWER STEERING AND ALSO NO BRAKES. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A SIDE ROAD AND BARELY GOT THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED AND HAD TO REPLACE A THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR AND A MASS AIR FLOW METER AND AIR FILTER AND THE HARMONIC BALANCER. THIS IS CRAZY THESE PROBLEMS AND REQUIRES EXTENSIVE AND EXPENSIVE REPAIR TO THE ENGINE. THIS INDICATES TO US A MANUFACTURER'S DESIGN FLAW AND PROBABLE SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY KIA WORLDWIDE. IT'S DISTURBING WITH HOW MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS I'M READING ON THIS SITE ABOUT THE SAME EXACT THING! IS THERE ANY HELP OUT THERE THIS IS TOO EXPENSIVE FOR ALL THESE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,100. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10563656
20,000 miles · Feb 28, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVehicle Speed Control
THE DAY AFTER WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE I HAD TO CHANGE THE RIGHT BRAKE LIGHT, SINSE THEN I'VE HAD TO CHANGE THE HEADLIGHTS BOTH AT LEAST TWICE, ASSORTED TAIL LIGHTS EACH SIDE AT LEAST THREE TIMES, THE FRONT DOME LIGHT WILL NOT COME ON WHEN YOU OPEN THE DOORS BUT CAN BE SWICHED ON, NOW DASH LIGHTS ARE GOING OFF ONE AT A TIME SOM…
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THE DAY AFTER WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE I HAD TO CHANGE THE RIGHT BRAKE LIGHT, SINSE THEN I'VE HAD TO CHANGE THE HEADLIGHTS BOTH AT LEAST TWICE, ASSORTED TAIL LIGHTS EACH SIDE AT LEAST THREE TIMES, THE FRONT DOME LIGHT WILL NOT COME ON WHEN YOU OPEN THE DOORS BUT CAN BE SWICHED ON, NOW DASH LIGHTS ARE GOING OFF ONE AT A TIME SOME CAN BE WIGGLED AND COME ON FOR A FEW SECONDS. THIS HAS GONE FROM ANNOYING TO A SAFETY ISSUE, AND I READ A LOT OF PEOPLE ON LINE WITH 06 SORENTOS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEELER THAT IT WILL COST THEM A LOT OF MONEY TO FIX. I FEEL LIKE ALL THE OTHERS THIS SHOULD BE KIA'S RESPONIBILITY TO FIX. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10500864
88,000 miles · Aug 3, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 KIA SORENTO (N/A). WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED BACKWARDS ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF IN ORDER FOR IT TO STOP MOVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 KIA SORENTO (N/A). WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED BACKWARDS ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF IN ORDER FOR IT TO STOP MOVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
NHTSA ODI #10416947
19,000 miles · Nov 21, 2006
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH UNDER NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE BRAKES. THE CONSUMER HAS ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE'S CRUISE CONTROL *NM
NHTSA ODI #10173998
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.