NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
360 reportsClear category filter93,575 miles · Mar 6, 2020
Engine
MY CAR WAS WORKING FINE, THE NEXT I HEAR A KNOCKING IN THE MOTOR, THE CAR STARTED TURNING OFF, I TOOK IT RIGHT ALWAY WHEN THEY TOLD I NEED A NEW ENGINE. THERE WAS NO ENGINE LIGHT ON OR NO NOTICE THAT CAR WAS GOING BREAK DOWN. I ONLY HAD CAR FOR ABOUT 1YEAR AND 3 MONTHS. I STILL OWN 25,000 AND I NEED GO GET A NEW ENGINE.. I WENT …
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MY CAR WAS WORKING FINE, THE NEXT I HEAR A KNOCKING IN THE MOTOR, THE CAR STARTED TURNING OFF, I TOOK IT RIGHT ALWAY WHEN THEY TOLD I NEED A NEW ENGINE. THERE WAS NO ENGINE LIGHT ON OR NO NOTICE THAT CAR WAS GOING BREAK DOWN. I ONLY HAD CAR FOR ABOUT 1YEAR AND 3 MONTHS. I STILL OWN 25,000 AND I NEED GO GET A NEW ENGINE.. I WENT ONLINE SAW MORE COMPLAINING ABOUT SAME THING.. YOUR ENGINE SUCK DONT WORK.. THE DEALER SAID IF THEY WOULD A BEEN A 4 CYLINDER THEY WOULD HAVE FIXED IT RIGHT AWAY BUT BECAUSE MINES OF SUCCESS UNDER IT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED WELL I THINK YOU SHOULD RECALL IT BECAUSE I READ ABOUT 15 PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME THING NO NOTICED THAT THEIR CAR WAS GOING TO BREAK DOWN AND NOW THEY DON'T HAVE A CAR.. I NEED A CAR TO GET WORK AND TAKE MY KIDS TO SCHOOL.. FIX MY CAR.. THIS NOT RIGHT THAT U SELL A CAR THAT ENGINE IS GOING GIVE IN LESS THEN 2 YEARS..
NHTSA ODI #11316621
Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2020
Engine
CAR ONLY HAS 100,000 MILES AND HAS BLOWN A HEAD GASKET. OIL IS CHANGED ON REGULAR AND WELL TAKEN CARE OF
NHTSA ODI #11315489
62,000 miles · Feb 17, 2020
Engine
WE PURCHASED THIS 2015 KIA SORENTO USED WITH LESS THAN 40,000 MILES BUT HAD 62,000 ON THE ENGINE AT THE TIME OF FAILURE. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN I HEARD A LOAD TICKING AND THEN A VIOLENT SHAKING AND A BANG AS THE DASH PANEL LITE UP AND THE VEHICLE COASTED TO A STOP. I THEN LOOKED UNDER THE CAR ONLY TO SEE OIL POURING…
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WE PURCHASED THIS 2015 KIA SORENTO USED WITH LESS THAN 40,000 MILES BUT HAD 62,000 ON THE ENGINE AT THE TIME OF FAILURE. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN I HEARD A LOAD TICKING AND THEN A VIOLENT SHAKING AND A BANG AS THE DASH PANEL LITE UP AND THE VEHICLE COASTED TO A STOP. I THEN LOOKED UNDER THE CAR ONLY TO SEE OIL POURING OUT OF THE OIL PAN. I WAS LATER TOLD THAT THE PISTON ROD HAD GONE THROUGH THE OIL PAN AND THAT THERE WAS SLUDGE IN THE OIL PAN. WHEN WE CONTACTED KIA WE WERE MADE AWARE THAT WE WERE BEYOND THE WARRANTY PERIOD AND THE COULD NOT HELP US. CONSEQUENTLY, TO SAVE MONEY WE PURCHASED A USED REPLACEMENT ENGINE AND PAID FOR OUR LOCAL MECHANIC TO INSTALL IT. THE TOTAL COST WAS OVER $6,000. SINCE THIS TIME, WE HAVE BECOME AWARE OF RECALLS ON OTHER KIA SORENTO ENGINES, BUT WE ARE CONCERNED THAT OUR BLOWN ENGINE WAS DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE ENGINE/FUEL SYSTEM, MUCH LIKE THE OTHERS.
NHTSA ODI #11309756
61,788 miles · Feb 3, 2020
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemSteering
EGINE STALLS AND AC ON STALLS AND HAS DIED 3TIMES
NHTSA ODI #11306800
93,000 miles · Jan 29, 2020
Engine
I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT ABOUT 70 MPH. THE ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND THE CAR LOST POWER. I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SHOULDER. I TRIED GETTING TO THE NEXT EXIT BUT EVEN DOING 15MPH I COULD HEAR A NOISE IN THE ENGINE. I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND CALLED FOR A TOW. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO MY MECHANIC WHO LOOKED AT THE CAR. H…
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I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT ABOUT 70 MPH. THE ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND THE CAR LOST POWER. I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SHOULDER. I TRIED GETTING TO THE NEXT EXIT BUT EVEN DOING 15MPH I COULD HEAR A NOISE IN THE ENGINE. I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND CALLED FOR A TOW. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO MY MECHANIC WHO LOOKED AT THE CAR. HE CALLED TO TELL ME I HAD ENGINE FAILURE. HE CALLED KIA AND GAVE THEM MY VIN. HE SAID THEY CONFIRMED MY CAR WAS INCLUDED IN THE ENGINE FAILURE GROUP. I THEN HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP. A DAY LATER THEY CONFIRMED THAT MY CAR NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. THEY SUBMITTED THINGS TO KIA. TOLD ME IT WOULD TAKE 3 BUSINESS DAYS FOR AN ANSWER.
NHTSA ODI #11302852
53,200 miles · Jan 29, 2020
Engine
DESPITE MAINTAINING OIL LEVELS (WELL-DOCUMENTED), ENGINE SLUDGE OCCURS. ENGINE SHAKES WHEN GOING UPHILL. ON JANUARY 2, 2020 4 QTS OF OIL WAS GIVEN. ON JANUARY 20, 2020...THE ENGINE HAD USED UP 3 QUARTS OF OIL. THE PREVIOUS OIL CHANGE OCCURRED ON NOVEMBER 9, 2019 AND THE ONE BEFORE THAT WAS DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF OCTOBER 2019.
NHTSA ODI #11302700
140,000 miles · Jan 10, 2020
Engine
ENGINE STALL ON FREEWAY AT HIGH RATE OF SPEED, ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH AND NOW MAKES ROD TAP NOISE. TOWED TO MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED ENGINE FAILURE. STATED THE TECHNICAL ADVISORY ON THIS VEHICLE MAINTAINS THAT PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE REMAINS IN THIS YEAR VEHICLE AS WELL AS PRIOR YEARS THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED.
NHTSA ODI #11298323
124,000 miles · Jan 6, 2020
Engine
ENGINE MAKE NOISE AND NOT RUNNING WELL
NHTSA ODI #11297393
87,340 miles · Jan 5, 2020
Engine
TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY WHEN HEARD ENGINE NOISE AND THEN IMMEDIATELY ENGINE SEIZED, CAR STOPPED RUNNING ALTOGETHER AND WAS ABLE TO DRIFT TO SIDE OF ROAD. TOWED TO CLOSEST KIA DEALER WHO SAYS ENGINE MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $16 THOUSAND!!! KELLY BLUEBOOK WORTH OF VEHICLE IS APPROX. $8,000. RECALL FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM DOESN'T …
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TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY WHEN HEARD ENGINE NOISE AND THEN IMMEDIATELY ENGINE SEIZED, CAR STOPPED RUNNING ALTOGETHER AND WAS ABLE TO DRIFT TO SIDE OF ROAD. TOWED TO CLOSEST KIA DEALER WHO SAYS ENGINE MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $16 THOUSAND!!! KELLY BLUEBOOK WORTH OF VEHICLE IS APPROX. $8,000. RECALL FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM DOESN'T SEEM TO EXTEND BEYOND 2014 ENGINES ALTHOUGH THERE ARE NUMEROUS DOCUMENTED CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS OF SAME PROBLEM IN LATER YEAR KIA'S. HELP!
NHTSA ODI #11297223
Mileage unknown · Dec 15, 2019
Air BagsEngine
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE MY SUV LOOSE EXCELARATE AND ENGINES LIGHT AND OIL PAN LIGHT CAME ON I PULLED OVER AND ENGINE SHUT DOWN TRY TURNING SUV OVER AND IT DID NOT TURN OVER I HAD IT TOWED AND MACHANIC SAID THE ENGINE IS FREEZE UP.
NHTSA ODI #11289121
NHTSA investigations
4AQ23002 · Hyundai And Kia Abs Module Fires
Opened Nov 17, 2023 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.
DP22003 · 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.
DP21002 · Engine Oil Pressure Switch Leak
Opened Nov 12, 2021 · Closed Jun 26, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:oil/lubrication:pressure/temperature Sensor
In a letter dated September 30, 2021, Mr. Gerald James (the petitioner) requested that NHTSA conduct an investigation of the Model Year (MY) 2015-2017 Kia Sorento equipped with 3.3L V6 ?Lambda? engines for ?severe oil leaks? from the oil pressure switch (OPS) that could ?lead to engine failure? with little warning to the driver. Mr. James based this request on his own experience and data found in NHTSA?s Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) database. NHTSA reviewed the material cited by the petitioner, information submitted by Kia, NHTSA?s testing, and other pertinent information in NHTSA databases.On November 12, 2021, ODI opened Defect Petition DP21-002 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI performed an analysis that included evaluation of the petitioner?s vehicle, searches of ODI complaints from vehicle owners, non-dealer field reports, manufacturers? supplemental information relating to design of the component, and component testing performed by ODI.On December 16, 2021, ODI and Kia North America performed a joint inspection on the petitioner?s vehicle. ODI and Kia agreed the OPS was leaking oil and observed oil in the crevices atop the engine block. The vehicle received a new replacement OPS and was delivered back to the petitioner. The original part that was removed from the subject vehicle was retained by ODI for further analysis.As of December 30, 2022, for the MY 2015-2017 Kia Sorento population of 161,519 vehicles with 3.3L engine, NHTSA reviewed internal data and has identified no consumer complaints or field reports in its database, with unique Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN), citing engine failure or stalling related to the petition?s allegation of defective OPS. When combined with the supplemental warranty and technical analysis from the manufacturer, field report and customer complaint data in response to the Information Request letter sent, NHTSA identified no unique VINs alleging engine failure or stalls caused by OPS leaking on the subject vehicles named in the petition.On April 4, 2022, the Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC) performed testing of the petitioner?s component (OPS) based on testing protocol consistent with Kia?s specifications for the subject vehicle. The testing involved the petitioner?s original OPS in a controlled system to replicate the subject vehicle?s oil pressure, flow, and temperature. VRTC determined that a vehicle would have to miss more than a dozen oil change intervals to reach low engine oil capacity. Testing also revealed the OPS would operate, as manufacturer intended, illuminating the vehicle?s MIL to alert the driver of lower oil pressure.In April of 2022, Kia North America issued a warranty extension that extended the coverage of the Oil Pressure Switch from 5 years/60,000 miles to 15 years/150,000 miles on MY 2014-2018 Sorento, MY 2014-2016 Cadenza, and MY 2015-2018 Sedona vehicles, all equipped with the 3.3L Lambda engine. The extended warranty coverage includes diagnosis, repair, and applies to customers experiencing engine oil leaking from the engine or if the engine oil pressure warning light stays illuminated after the engine is turned on.After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in NHTSA's possession, testing performed by VRTC, technical information provided by Kia, the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner's allegation, NHTSA does not believe that an engine failure due to the alleged defect is likely and does not warrant a formal investigation. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA?s reasons for denial of the petition will be publi
Additional source detail variants (2)
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:oil/lubrication:pressure/temperature Sensor
In a letter dated September 30, 2021, Mr. Gerald James (the petitioner) requested that NHTSA conduct an investigation of the Model Year (MY) 2015-2017 Kia Sorento equipped with 3.3L V6 ?Lambda? engines for ?severe oil leaks? from the oil pressure switch (OPS) that could ?lead to engine failure? with little warning to the driver. Mr. James based this request on his own experience and data found in NHTSA?s Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) database. NHTSA reviewed the material cited by the petitioner, information submitted by Kia, NHTSA?s testing, and other pertinent information in NHTSA databases.On November 12, 2021, ODI opened Defect Petition DP21-002 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI performed an analysis that included evaluation of the petitioner?s vehicle, searches of ODI complaints from vehicle owners, non-dealer field reports, manufacturers? supplemental information relating to design of the component, and component testing performed by ODI.On December 16, 2021, ODI and Kia North America performed a joint inspection on the petitioner?s vehicle. ODI and Kia agreed the OPS was leaking oil and observed oil in the crevices atop the engine block. The vehicle received a new replacement OPS and was delivered back to the petitioner. The original part that was removed from the subject vehicle was retained by ODI for further analysis.As of December 30, 2022, for the MY 2015-2017 Kia Sorento population of 161,519 vehicles with 3.3L engine, NHTSA reviewed internal data and has identified no consumer complaints or field reports in its database, with unique Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN), citing engine failure or stalling related to the petition?s allegation of defective OPS. When combined with the supplemental warranty and technical analysis from the manufacturer, field report and customer complaint data in response to the Information Request letter sent, NHTSA identified no unique VINs alleging engine failure or stalls caused by OPS leaking on the subject vehicles named in the petition.On April 4, 2022, the Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC) performed testing of the petitioner?s component (OPS) based on testing protocol consistent with Kia?s specifications for the subject vehicle. The testing involved the petitioner?s original OPS in a controlled system to replicate the subject vehicle?s oil pressure, flow, and temperature. VRTC determined that a vehicle would have to miss more than a dozen oil change intervals to reach low engine oil capacity. Testing also revealed the OPS would operate, as manufacturer intended, illuminating the vehicle?s MIL to alert the driver of lower oil pressure.In April of 2022, Kia North America issued a warranty extension that extended the coverage of the Oil Pressure Switch from 5 years/60,000 miles to 15 years/150,000 miles on MY 2014-2018 Sorento, MY 2014-2016 Cadenza, and MY 2015-2018 Sedona vehicles, all equipped with the 3.3L Lambda engine. The extended warranty coverage includes diagnosis, repair, and applies to customers experiencing engine oil leaking from the engine or if the engine oil pressure warning light stays illuminated after the engine is turned on.After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in NHTSA's possession, testing performed by VRTC, technical information provided by Kia, the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner's allegation, NHTSA does not believe that an engine failure due to the alleged defect is likely and does not warrant a formal investigation. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA?s reasons for denial of the petition will be publi
Engine
In a letter dated September 30, 2021, Mr. Gerald James (the petitioner) requested that NHTSA conduct an investigation of the Model Year (MY) 2015-2017 Kia Sorento equipped with 3.3L V6 ?Lambda? engines for ?severe oil leaks? from the oil pressure switch (OPS) that could ?lead to engine failure? with little warning to the driver. Mr. James based this request on his own experience and data found in NHTSA?s Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) database. NHTSA reviewed the material cited by the petitioner, information submitted by Kia, NHTSA?s testing, and other pertinent information in NHTSA databases.On November 12, 2021, ODI opened Defect Petition DP21-002 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI performed an analysis that included evaluation of the petitioner?s vehicle, searches of ODI complaints from vehicle owners, non-dealer field reports, manufacturers? supplemental information relating to design of the component, and component testing performed by ODI.On December 16, 2021, ODI and Kia North America performed a joint inspection on the petitioner?s vehicle. ODI and Kia agreed the OPS was leaking oil and observed oil in the crevices atop the engine block. The vehicle received a new replacement OPS and was delivered back to the petitioner. The original part that was removed from the subject vehicle was retained by ODI for further analysis.As of December 30, 2022, for the MY 2015-2017 Kia Sorento population of 161,519 vehicles with 3.3L engine, NHTSA reviewed internal data and has identified no consumer complaints or field reports in its database, with unique Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN), citing engine failure or stalling related to the petition?s allegation of defective OPS. When combined with the supplemental warranty and technical analysis from the manufacturer, field report and customer complaint data in response to the Information Request letter sent, NHTSA identified no unique VINs alleging engine failure or stalls caused by OPS leaking on the subject vehicles named in the petition.On April 4, 2022, the Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC) performed testing of the petitioner?s component (OPS) based on testing protocol consistent with Kia?s specifications for the subject vehicle. The testing involved the petitioner?s original OPS in a controlled system to replicate the subject vehicle?s oil pressure, flow, and temperature. VRTC determined that a vehicle would have to miss more than a dozen oil change intervals to reach low engine oil capacity. Testing also revealed the OPS would operate, as manufacturer intended, illuminating the vehicle?s MIL to alert the driver of lower oil pressure.In April of 2022, Kia North America issued a warranty extension that extended the coverage of the Oil Pressure Switch from 5 years/60,000 miles to 15 years/150,000 miles on MY 2014-2018 Sorento, MY 2014-2016 Cadenza, and MY 2015-2018 Sedona vehicles, all equipped with the 3.3L Lambda engine. The extended warranty coverage includes diagnosis, repair, and applies to customers experiencing engine oil leaking from the engine or if the engine oil pressure warning light stays illuminated after the engine is turned on.After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in NHTSA's possession, testing performed by VRTC, technical information provided by Kia, the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner's allegation, NHTSA does not believe that an engine failure due to the alleged defect is likely and does not warrant a formal investigation. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA?s reasons for denial of the petition will be publi
DP21003 · 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.
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