NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
242 reports106,700 miles · Oct 26, 2016
Engine
BOUGHT CAR STARTED HAVING AN OVER HEATING PROBLEM. COMPRESSION TEST CAME BACK WITH COMPLETE PASS NOTHING ABNORMAL. CAR WAS NOT STARTING WITHOUT A JUMP SO BOUGHT A NEW BATTERY FOR IT EVERYTHING SEEMED COMPLETELY FINE. DROVE A TOTAL OF MAYBE TEN MILES TO ACE HARDWARE TO GET SOME SUPPLIES AND CAR STARTED TO SMOKE ONCE I TURNED THE…
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BOUGHT CAR STARTED HAVING AN OVER HEATING PROBLEM. COMPRESSION TEST CAME BACK WITH COMPLETE PASS NOTHING ABNORMAL. CAR WAS NOT STARTING WITHOUT A JUMP SO BOUGHT A NEW BATTERY FOR IT EVERYTHING SEEMED COMPLETELY FINE. DROVE A TOTAL OF MAYBE TEN MILES TO ACE HARDWARE TO GET SOME SUPPLIES AND CAR STARTED TO SMOKE ONCE I TURNED THE HEATER OFF.IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER HOOD, PUDDLE OF FLUID IN PARKING SPOT, AND WATER BOILING SOUND UNDER HOOD. TOWED CAR HOME THEN TO MECHANIC WHERE IT IS SITTING NOW FOR AN ESTIMATE BEING TOLD IT LOOKS LIKE I WILL NEED A NEW MOTOR. THERE IS 106,661 PLUS OR MINUS A 100MILES I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THE WELL MAINTAINED VEHICLE.WHEN SMOKING STARTED I WAS DRYING ON A HWY WITH SPEED LIMIT OF 55 MILES/HR. IT IS AN AWD PASSED SMOG, AND I BOUGHT IT FROM A DEALER WHO BOUGHT IT FROM AN AUCTION. IT WAS A TRADE IN BY LESSEE TO THE LESSOR FOR A NEWER ONE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10919200
120,000 miles · Oct 25, 2016
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED FROM A LOCAL DEALERSHIP BACK IN 2013.IT HAD 53000 MILES ON IT I BOUGHT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO USE IT DUE TO WHEN THE ISSUES DEVELOPED. WITHIN THREE MONTHS I HAD TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE THEN DRIVER SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHTS AND THE FRONT AND REAR TAIL LIGHTS. THIS HAS OCCURRE…
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I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED FROM A LOCAL DEALERSHIP BACK IN 2013.IT HAD 53000 MILES ON IT I BOUGHT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO USE IT DUE TO WHEN THE ISSUES DEVELOPED. WITHIN THREE MONTHS I HAD TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE THEN DRIVER SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHTS AND THE FRONT AND REAR TAIL LIGHTS. THIS HAS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING. I HAD TO DO THIS ABOUT ONCE A YEAR. I RECENTLY JUNE 2016 CHANGED THE PASSENGER SIDE BULB LOW BEAM AGAIN. NOW I HAVE NOTICED I HAVE NO TAG LIGHTS. I ORDERED REPLACEMENT BULBS FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD THEM INSTALLED AND THEY STILL DO NOT WORK. YET NO FUSES ARE BLOWN AND THERE IS NO SMELL OF BURNING WIRES OR MELTED WIRES ANYWHERE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10918940
139,500 miles · Oct 6, 2016
Engine
THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THAT THIS HAS HAPPEN TO ME. I WAS DRIVING AND MY CAR STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET NEED A TOW TRUCK SO I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THE DIAGNOSE WAS CRANK SHIFT SENSOR $700.00. ABOUT 3 YRS LATER DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY LOST ALL POWER LIGHT CAME ON GUIDE OF THE FREEWAY I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP THE SAME PROBL…
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THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THAT THIS HAS HAPPEN TO ME. I WAS DRIVING AND MY CAR STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET NEED A TOW TRUCK SO I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THE DIAGNOSE WAS CRANK SHIFT SENSOR $700.00. ABOUT 3 YRS LATER DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY LOST ALL POWER LIGHT CAME ON GUIDE OF THE FREEWAY I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN CRANK SHIFT SENSOR AGAIN $700.00. THE YR DRIVING FROM WORK ON THE FREEWAY IT HAPPEN AGAIN NO POWER LIGHT CAME ON ANOTHER $ 700.00. [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10914199
Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2016
Electrical SystemSteeringWheels
OUR 2006 KIA SORENTO ALL THE SUDDEN WHILE DRIVING ON A VERY BUSY IN CITY HIGHWAY, STARTED SOUNDING LIKE IT KEPT TRYING TO TURN OVER AND WE PULLED OVER. WE NOTICED IT STARTED SMELLING HOT BUT WOULDN'T TURN OFF SO MY HUSBAND TRIED TAKING OFF THE BATTERY BUT COULDN'T BECAUSE IT WAS SO HOT IT BURNED HIM AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM…
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OUR 2006 KIA SORENTO ALL THE SUDDEN WHILE DRIVING ON A VERY BUSY IN CITY HIGHWAY, STARTED SOUNDING LIKE IT KEPT TRYING TO TURN OVER AND WE PULLED OVER. WE NOTICED IT STARTED SMELLING HOT BUT WOULDN'T TURN OFF SO MY HUSBAND TRIED TAKING OFF THE BATTERY BUT COULDN'T BECAUSE IT WAS SO HOT IT BURNED HIM AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. WE FINALLY GOT IT OFF SO WE TRIED TO RESTART IT BUT THE BATTERY WAS TOTALLY DEAD. THE SHOP SAID THE ENGINE IS GONE.
NHTSA ODI #10910860
168,504 miles · Aug 3, 2016
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other
OVERHEATED ON HIGHWAY WOULDNT RUN NEVEMBER 2015 12/23/2015 $3,687.71 ENGINE REPLACEMENT 03/30/2016-05/23/2016 JEFF SMITH AUTO MULTI PT. INSPECTION REPLACE COILS WIRES PLUGS TIMING CRANK AND CAM SENSORS CLEAN TANK AND REPLACE FUEL PUMP $2,995 AND CAR STILL HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE LOCATION IT SITS AT NOW
NHTSA ODI #10892709
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
59,126 miles · Apr 19, 2016
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR ASSEMBLY FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR ASSEMBLY FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,126.
NHTSA ODI #10860297
89,000 miles · Mar 30, 2016
Air BagsSteering
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE BRAKE LIGHT & BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON . THE ENGINE SOUNDED ROUGH , WHEN I WENT TO PULL OF THE HIGHWAY , I HAD NO POWER STEERING
NHTSA ODI #10852437
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
Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior LightingService Brakes
DEAR SIR; AT THIS TIME I'M REQUESTING THAT YOUR OFFICE SEND TO ONE A COMPLAINT FORM TO BE FILE AGAINST THE COMPANY CAR CORRAL 11 IN COLONIAL HEIGHT VA 23834 FOR RIGHTFULLY AND KNOWINGLY SELLING A USED CAR WITH THE DEFECTED EMERGENCY BRAKES, DRY ROTTEN TIRES, ROTORS SCORNED, DIMMED HEAD LIGHT CANNOT BE SEEN AHEAD OF DRI…
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DEAR SIR; AT THIS TIME I'M REQUESTING THAT YOUR OFFICE SEND TO ONE A COMPLAINT FORM TO BE FILE AGAINST THE COMPANY CAR CORRAL 11 IN COLONIAL HEIGHT VA 23834 FOR RIGHTFULLY AND KNOWINGLY SELLING A USED CAR WITH THE DEFECTED EMERGENCY BRAKES, DRY ROTTEN TIRES, ROTORS SCORNED, DIMMED HEAD LIGHT CANNOT BE SEEN AHEAD OF DRIVER, NEED ALIGNMENT OR THAT WHEN DRIVING THE CAR THE CAR VIBRATE FROM SIDE TO SIDE, ODOROUS SMELL OF BURNING WIRES AND GAS, BELT LEADING TO AIR CONDITIONER IS CRACKED AND WORN OUT, REFUSED TO PRESENT ME WITH A CAR FAX AND WHEN SUBJECT REQUESTED TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE BBB OF VIRGINIA, ATTORNEY GENERAL OFFICE OF VIRGINIA AND ESPECIALLY FILLING OUT THE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SURVEY FORM, ALL MEMBERS OF THE SALES TEAM AND OWNER BECAME HIGHLY UPSET AND BLUNTLY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. ON OR AMOUNT 2/10/16 I SPOKE PERSONAL WITH THE OWNER ABOUT THE ISSUES WITH THE CAR AND HE DID SAY "I WILL WORK WITH YOU TO REPAIR OR FIX CERTAIN ITEMS ON THE CAR, BUT I'M NOT TRYING TO MAKE IT TO A NEW CAR." HE REFUSES TO FIX THE ITEMS FROM THE INSPECTION ON 2/6/16 FROM MERCHANTS TIRE AND AUTO CENTERS BASED ON THE FACT THAT THE COMPANY WAS TRYING TO MAKE MONEY, I AGREE AND DISAGREE WITH THE COMMENTS OF THE OWNER. THE CAR WAS INSPECTED IN JANUARY 2016 BUT DID NOT FIND ANY ISSUES? WHAT I WANT DONE TO MY CAR: ANY AND ALL ITEMS FOUND TO BE DEEM A SAFETY AND HEALTH HAZARD OR REFUND MY MONEY. EMERGENCY BRAKES CAN BE PULLED UP AT ANY TIME AS IF A CHILD'S TOY AND THE OWNER DIS APOLOGIZE BUT WHY SELL ME A SUV THAT WAS USED AS A MEANS FOR TRANSPORTING AND EXPORTING ITEMS FOR THE COMPANY? WHEN TRAVELLING ON THE HIGHWAY THE SUV WILL VIBRATE FROM SIDE TO SIDE CAUSING DRIVER TO ENTER INTO ANOTHER DRIVING LANE AND NOT TO MENTION THE ODOROUS BURNING SMELLS FROM THE DASH BOARD CAUSING HEADACHES.
NHTSA ODI #10825667
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.