Engine. Review the 551 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Exterior Lighting. Review the 130 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 98 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

33 crash reports69 fire reports24 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

98 reports

Clear category filter

Mileage unknown · May 3, 2023

Electrical SystemCrash

Read full complaint

My car was stolen by a minor who had a USB cable and internet instructions. My car was lacking proper if any anti theft technology by Kia. Because Kia is aware of this issue and did nothing not only myself but anyone who drives a Kia is at risk for a theft or car jacking. The car was recovered and inspected by local police. No car should be made available for purchase without security features that keep you and your property safe. Who knows how things could have ended if there was a direct confrontation. If one is crazy enough to steal a car, one may be nuts enough to have a gun.

NHTSA ODI #11520326

Mileage unknown · May 2, 2023

Electrical SystemEngine

Read full complaint

I brought my vehicle into an authorized dealer when my check engine light came on, having just been made aware of the recall notice when I took it in for an oil change earlier that day. He said the recall came about when cars of my make/model/year started catching fire out of nowhere due to engine issues. Given that my car is still under the mileage warranty, at 95k miles, the person at the dealership service center said it would likely be covered & the recall would qualify me for a new engine altogether. I got a call back a few days later that my catalytic converter was plugged, and that I would owe just under $3000 for the repair, as my vehicle did not show the correct diagnostic code to be covered. Once I spoke with KIA's corporate consumer satisfaction line, they agreed to bring the car out & retest it. The woman from the service center informed me that the whole engine does in fact need to be replaced now, not just the converter as they initially said, but that it still isn't spitting out the code necessary during diagnostic testing, to qualify it for a recall replacement. Under SC176, my issues exactly are being described as the symptoms & causation for the recall, and yet the diagnostic code does not match. My car is currently still at the dealership's service center, and I am getting some consultation as to whether or not this is a fix that's worth it, at this point.

NHTSA ODI #11520017

Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 2023

Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

Read full complaint

Since I bought this car, I have experienced hesitation, stalling, high RPM idle, fluctuating idle, burning smell, lurching, running though gas very fast (not due to increased driving), engine noises, dash panel half lighting up, hard to accelerate when the headlights are on, or heat, or air con, odd noises..and through this entire time, check engine light comes on and off and on and off...along with my gas gauge saying empty when its full. I have reported ALL of this throughout the entire time since all bought it. Every single time they say "software update" and send me home with nothing ever fixed. EVER. Now again check engine and false fuel reading, hesitations, etc....again! This engine and fuel pump is bad and explains all of my complaints since 10kmiles. My car has under 80k mi on it, its been a lemon from the start. Hesitation with no pick-up at an intersection and noises....just beyond dangerous. I have not driven my car on the freeway in 5 years because itis not safe, but Kia NEVER checks out problems. They charge for inspection and say "software update". Its maddening.

NHTSA ODI #11518079

Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 2022

Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion SystemFire

Read full complaint

A loud bang was heard while driving approx. 35 MPH on a clear day. The vehicle lost all power, smoke started coming from the hood area and the cabin began to fill with smoke. Driver pulled over, opened the hood and discovered the entire engine compartment in was engulfed in flames. Passersby tried to extinguish the flame with fire extinguishers, but it kept reigniting. The fire department arrived and put out the flames. This could have been life threatening if the driver did not get out of the vehicle. Amica Insurance's claims processors and an independent forensic investigator engaged by Amica Insurance have concluded the engine fire was the result of catastrophic engine failure. The forensic investigator noticed an outward bump in the oil pan and indicated this was likely the result of a separation of crankshaft and or piston rod elements. The investigator indicated he sees about 10 of these engine fires each month. Kia's special unit that addresses their engine fire problem has been notified and are dragging their feet. We have not heard anything from them after filing a claim on or about 3/22/2022. There were no warning signs prior to this catastrophic failure event. Gauges and warning systems were all normal. The engine and the engine compartment are a complete loss. Other damage occurred as the fire department worked to extinguish the fire. The forensic investigator and Amica's claims processor have declared the car a total loss.

NHTSA ODI #11459335

130,000 miles · Feb 28, 2022

Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that her check engine light had been illuminated on her instrument panel. The contact initially took the vehicle to a dealer where the check engine light was reset; however, the light returned the next day. The contact then took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where the battery was replaced; a week, the contact stated that corrosion had formed on the battery and that her vehicle had stalled while traveling at 45 MPH. She stated that several warning lights illuminated the instrument panel as the failure occurred. The contact restarted the vehicle and return home; the next day, the independent mechanic came to her home and performed another battery replacement. Despite the second replacement, the stalling failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed her that there were zero recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #11454437

Mileage unknown · Feb 18, 2022

Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion SystemFire

Read full complaint

I am unaware of what is able to be inspected of the vehicle at this time due to the amount of damage. My own and other drivers’ safety was at risk when my car began smoking and eventually caught fire. Nothing has been reproduced, inspected, or confirmed by any manufacturer, dealer, or independent contractor. I had my car in park for 2 hours before I began my trip. When I started the car up in the parking lot, the engine ran for about 10 minutes before I left. Within 2 miles of driving, the check engine light came on and the engine started smoking. I pulled the car over as soon as I could do so safely, put the car in park, turned off the ignition, and evacuated the vehicle. Soon after, the car ignited into flames under the hood and I called 911. The fire department extinguished the fire and reported to me that it was an electrical fire.

NHTSA ODI #11452830

Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2021

Electrical SystemExterior LightingUnknown Or Other

My dash lights would flash bright and dim randomly while driving at first. A few weeks later my headlights would flicker from high beam to low beam and dash lights would still flicker. Now about a month into this my headlights still flicker but they have even turned off all while driving and I was told my brake lights go off as …

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #11431764

Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 2021

Electrical SystemEngineExterior Lighting

Read full complaint

The vehicle had a strange smell ever since we got it a few years back. Earlier in the month, the headlight and dashlight would flicker with the turn signal. We looked it up and set up an apppointment with a local Kia dealership for recall on this issue. Then this week, the engine suddenly quit while the car was parked. The vehicle wouldn't start at all. Kia was notified and they said that there was another recall on engine SC200 on this vehicle that was just announced earlier this year. Online lookup also revealed that the smell issue can be from burning oil or a leak into catalytic converter. Other Kia cars from the same years have also said to have had these issues. Then an OBD II check showed the codes 7E8 and 7E9 which has been noted online by other customers as engine problem recall for which Kia has replaced their engine free of charge.

NHTSA ODI #11422380

9,023 miles · May 9, 2021

Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

Read full complaint

ABS LIGHT & BRAKE LIGHT AND OTHER DASH BOARD LIGHTS ARE ON, AND WONT TURN OFF. THERE IS A SOME SORT OF LEAK THAT I AM UNABLE TO FIND WHERE IT COME FROM. I TOOK IT IN FOR A SERVICE AND TO PERFORM RECALL P12002AQ WHICH THEY DID BUT KIA DID NOT ATTEND TO, OR ADDRESS THE BRAKE LIGHT & ABS LIGHT & UNIDENTIFIED LEAK REPORTED TO THEM AT THE TIME I BROUGHT CAR IN.. INSTEAD THEY WANTED TO CHARGE A VERY HIGH FEE TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES WHICH ARE THE SIGNS OF WHAT HAS CAUSED FIRE PROBLEMS WITH THIS KIA MODEL

NHTSA ODI #11415739

Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 2021

Electrical System

P050A ENGINE CODE KEEPS REOCCURRING WITH NO FIX FROM KIA. THEY KEEP SUGGESTING "FIXES" LIKE REPLACING THE COLD AIR INTAKE VALVE. CAI MECHANICAL BOARD. CLEANING THE CARBON IS REALLY PRICEY, BUT THE ERROR CODE JUST KEEPS COMING BACK. SEEMS TO BE EXTREMELY COMMON. CHECK ENGINE CODE KEEPS POPPING UP DESPITE EVERYTHING RUNNING FINE …

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #11404930

Official recalls

22V096000 · Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module:software; Air Bags:frontal

Feb 18, 2022

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2014 Soul vehicles. The front air bags may not deploy during a crash if the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) loses communication with the front impact sensors.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Front air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will update the ACU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC229.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module:software

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2014 Soul vehicles. The front air bags may not deploy during a crash if the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) loses communication with the front impact sensors.

Consequence: Front air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will update the ACU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC229.

Air Bags:frontal

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2014 Soul vehicles. The front air bags may not deploy during a crash if the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) loses communication with the front impact sensors.

Consequence: Front air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

20V750000 · Engine

Dec 2, 2020

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.

19V120000 · Engine; Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:catalytic Convertor

Feb 22, 2019

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Kia Soul vehicles equipped with 1.6L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engines. High exhaust gas temperatures may damage the catalytic converter, possibly resulting in abnormal engine combustion and damage to one or more of the engine's pistons and possible piston connecting rod failure.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Piston damage may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. A broken connecting rod may puncture the engine block allowing engine oil to escape. The leaking oil may contact the exhaust, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will upgrade the Catalytic Overheating Protection Engine Control Unit logic to prevent overheating of the catalytic converter. In addition, the catalytic converter will also be replaced if it has been damaged. Depending on the extent of any damage, the engine may also be replaced, free of charge. The recall began April 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC176.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Engine

Consequence: Piston damage may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. A broken connecting rod may puncture the engine block allowing engine oil to escape. The leaking oil may contact the exhaust, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will upgrade the Catalytic Overheating Protection Engine Control Unit logic to prevent overheating of the catalytic converter. In addition, the catalytic converter will also be replaced if it has been damaged. Depending on the extent of any damage, the engine may also be replaced, free of charge. The recall began April 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC176.

Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:catalytic Convertor

17V608000 · Steering

Sep 29, 2017

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Soul and Soul EV vehicles. The pinion plug may allow the pinion gear to separate from the steering gear assembly.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the pinion gear separates, steering will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and secure the pinion plug or replace the steering gear assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 16, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC155. Note: This recall supersedes campaigns 14V-332 and 15V-736. Vehicles previously remedied under those numbers are being recalled again under this campaign.

15V123000 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

Mar 2, 2015

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Soul and Soul electric vehicles manufactured July 21, 2013, to January 8, 2015. A section of the accelerator pedal may bend and fracture.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the vehicle has a bent or broken accelerator pedal, the driver may have difficulty accelerating the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will add a supporting rubber underneath the pedal stopper, free of charge. The recall began on March 24, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC116.

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

EA21003 · Engine Fires

Opened Dec 22, 2021 · Closed Feb 5, 2024

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine

On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles. During the PE investigations, Hyundai and Kia issued several recalls to address vehicle fires, including those due to engine failures involving various engine types. The remedies for the engine failure recalls typically involve engine inspection (to detect existing damage), and if necessary, engine replacement. Additionally, both manufacturers have been installing an engine control software modification known as Knock Sensor Detection Software (KSDS) which is intended to detect impending engine failure, alert the driver, and limit engine power (to lessen likelihood of engine failure).KSDS is being installed under recalls and non-safety field actions, and both companies have extended limited engine warranties (see recall files). On December 22, 2021, ODI upgraded PE19-003 and PE19-004 to this Engineering Analysis (EA21-003, covering both Hyundai and Kia) to evaluate the scope of the prior recalls related to engine failures/fires and the efficacy of the recall remedies for the recalls, as well as the long-term viability of related programs and non-safety field actions being conducted by Hyundai and Kia. The former issue involved approximately 550,000 MY 2013 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2011 Kia Sorento, and MY 2012-2015 Kia Rio. The latter issue involved approximately 2.5 million recalled vehicles, which have been identified as displaying potential remedy concerns: Hyundai recalls 15V-568, 17V-226, 20V-746, and 21V-727; and Kia recalls 17V-224, 19V-120, 20V-750, and 21V-844. Regarding the recall scope issue, among all of the scope vehicles identified at EA opening, ODI found only the MY 2011 Kia Sorento vehicles equipped with both the Theta II 2.4L 4-cylinder Multi-Point Injection (MPI) and the Lambda II 3.5L 6-cylinder MPI engines experienced relatively high rates of reported fires. In December 2023, Kia issued recall 23V-877 that will cover about 80,000 MY 2011 Kia Sorento vehicles equipped with the Theta II 2.4L MPI engines. The remedy will involve an inspection, and if necessary, a replacement of the engine, as well as the installation of KSDS. It should be noted that in 2021 these vehicles were included in a KSDS product improvement campaign with warranty extension. For the MY 2011 Sorento vehicles equipped with the Lambda II 3.5L engines, ODI believes that future engine failures/fires involving these vehicles will likely be due to a lax in adhering to the proper or scheduled engine maintenance (regular engine oil changes), rather than a design or manufacturing engine issue. Regarding the issue of the efficacy of the recall remedies, ODI found the majority of the recalled Hyundai and Kia vehicles, by model, experienced lower reported fire rates after the remedies were applied. Furthermore, ODI found that for most vehicles that did not receive the recall remedies, by model, experienced relatively high fire rates. To address this problem, Hyundai informed ODI in December 2023, that it will renotify all of its owners covered by the Hyundai recalls of engine failures/fires every 8 months for the next 3 years. In December 2023, Kia stated that it will renotify the majority of its owners every 8 months for the next 3 years.Several previously recalled Kia models are excluded from the renotification due to their lower reported rates of engine fires. Overall, the renotification actions will help to increase the recall completion rates, thus reduce the frequency of engine fires in the future. In view of the recall action being taken by Kia and renotification actions being taken by both Kia and Hyundai, ODI is closing this Engineering Analysis. Also, both companies have been released from the 2020-iniated Consent Orders (Kia since November 2022 and Hyundai since November 2023). The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

PE19004 · Non-crash Vehicle Fires

Opened Mar 29, 2019 · Closed Dec 22, 2021

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System; Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery; Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables; Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator; Electrical System:ignition; Electrical System:ignition:module; Electrical System:ignition:switch; Electrical System:starter Assembly; Electrical System:starter Assembly:relay; Electrical System:starter Assembly:solenoid; Electrical System:wiring; Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood; Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash; Engine; Engine And Engine Cooling; Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System; Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan; Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:hoses/lines/piping/fittings; Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:radiator Assembly; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:belts And Associated Pulleys; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:other Fuel Types:turbo/supercharger; Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System; Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control ; Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:catalytic Convertor; Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (pcv); Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:gas Recirculation Valve (egr Valve); Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe; Exterior Lighting; Exterior Lighting:back Up Lights; Exterior Lighting:back Up Lights:switch; Exterior Lighting:brake Lights; Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch; Exterior Lighting:fog Lights; Exterior Lighting:fog Lights:switch; Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights; Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:switch; Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:unit; Exterior Lighting:headlights; Exterior Lighting:headlights:concealment Devices; Exterior Lighting:headlights:high/low Beam Dimmer Switch; Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch; Exterior Lighting:tail Lights; Exterior Lighting:tail Lights:switch; Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:flasher Unit; Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:switch; Unknown Or Other

During this Preliminary Evaluation (PE), the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) assessed the scope, frequency and potential safety-related consequences of non-crash vehicle fires caused by both engine failures and failures of other vehicle systems/components in model year (MY) 2011-2014 Kia Optima, MY 2011-2014 Kia Sorento and MY 2010-2015 Kia Soul vehicles equipped with Theta II, Gamma, Nu and Lambda II engines (approximately 1.7 million vehicles). ODI also reviewed field and other data on other Kia vehicles (approximately 3.6 million additional vehicles) equipped with the same engines used in the above-mentioned vehicles.As a result of this PE, Kia has issued NHTSA Recalls 20V-750 and 21V-844 to address potential engine failures and fires in certain Kia vehicles equipped with various engine types.Additional information on these and other related recall actions is available in the downloadable version of this resume available at NHTSA.gov.In addition, ODI has upgraded this PE to an Engineering Analysis (EA) 21-003 which will focus on potential recall scope concerns and recall remedy concerns related to the engine failure-related recalls mentioned above and conducted previously.See the EA21-003 Opening Resume available at NHTSA.gov for more information.Also available in the downloadable version of this resume is a list of the reference numbers for the 444 ODI reports, or Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs), cited above which ODI received through mid-November 2021.Note that the Manufacturer reports cited above are customer complaints received through March 2019.

Additional source detail variants (392)

Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables

Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery

Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator

Electrical System:ignition

Electrical System:ignition:module

Electrical System:ignition:switch

Electrical System

Electrical System:starter Assembly

Electrical System:starter Assembly:relay

Electrical System:starter Assembly:solenoid

Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood

Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash

Electrical System:wiring

Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan

Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:hoses/lines/piping/fittings

Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System

Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:radiator Assembly

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:belts And Associated Pulleys

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:other Fuel Types:turbo/supercharger

Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:catalytic Convertor

Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (pcv)

Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:gas Recirculation Valve (egr Valve)

Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control

Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System

Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe

Engine And Engine Cooling

Engine

Exterior Lighting:back Up Lights

Exterior Lighting:back Up Lights:switch

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Exterior Lighting:fog Lights

Exterior Lighting:fog Lights:switch

Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights

Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:switch

Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:unit

Exterior Lighting:headlights:concealment Devices

Exterior Lighting:headlights:high/low Beam Dimmer Switch

Exterior Lighting:headlights

Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch

Exterior Lighting

Exterior Lighting:tail Lights

Exterior Lighting:tail Lights:switch

Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:flasher Unit

Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:switch

Unknown Or Other

DP18003 · Non-crash Vehicle Fires

Opened Aug 21, 2018 · Closed May 10, 2019

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel; Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery; Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables; Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator; Electrical System:ignition; Electrical SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL Module; Electrical System:ignition:module; Electrical System:ignition:switch; Electrical System:propulsion System:traction Battery; Electrical System:starter Assembly; Electrical System:starter Assembly:relay; Electrical System:starter Assembly:solenoid; Electrical System:wiring; Electrical System:wiring: Rear Compartment/trunk; Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood; Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers; Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash; Engine; Engine And Engine Cooling; Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System; Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan; Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:hoses/lines/piping/fittings; Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:radiator Assembly; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:belts And Associated Pulleys; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:other Fuel Types:turbo/supercharger; Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System; Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control ; Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:catalytic Convertor; Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (pcv); Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:gas Recirculation Valve (egr Valve); Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe; Exterior Lighting:brake Lights; Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch; Exterior Lighting:fog Lights; Exterior Lighting:fog Lights:switch; Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights; Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:switch; Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:unit; Exterior Lighting:headlights; Exterior Lighting:headlights:concealment Devices; Exterior Lighting:headlights:high/low Beam Dimmer Switch; Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch; Exterior Lighting:tail Lights; Exterior Lighting:tail Lights:switch; Exterior Lighting:turn Signal; Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:flasher Unit; Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:switch; Unknown Or Other

In a letter dated June 11, 2018, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a safety defect investigation into non-collision related fires on model year (MY) 2011-2014 Kia Optima and Sorento, and Hyundai Sonata and Santa Fe vehicles. In a letter dated July 24, 2018, CAS requested that MY 2010-2015 Kia Soul vehicles be added to the petition. CAS stated that there is a higher number of complaints to NHTSA regarding non-crash fires on these vehicles compared to other similar vehicles. The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) had already opened Recall Queries (RQ17-003 and RQ17-004) on all Kia and Hyundai vehicles equipped with Theta II engines for engine failures that may cause stalling and fires.The queries cover most of the petition subject Optima, Sorento, Sonata, and Santa Fe vehicles but not any of the subject Soul vehicles.On August 21, 2018, ODI opened a Defect Petition (DP18-003) to evaluate whether to grant or deny the CAS petition. ODI sent Information Request letters to Kia and Hyundai (September and October 2018) requesting information on all engine and non-engine related fires in the petition vehicles.ODI performed extensive analysis on the information obtained from Kia and Hyundai. During the DP18-003 analysis, Kia and Hyundai each initiated three additional safety recalls related to engine compartment fires on certain petitioned and non-petitioned vehicles (nearly 740,000 total vehicles: Recalls 18V-907, 18V-934, 19V-101, 19V-063, 19V-120, and 19V-204). Based on ODI?s review of the applicable materials, including responses to Information Requests sent to multiple manufacturers, Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ), and Early Warning Data, NHTSA decided to grant the petition.The CAS petition was granted on March 29, 2019. Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) have been opened to assess the scope, frequency, and potential safety-related consequences of alleged defects relating to non-collision vehicle fires in the 2011-2014 Kia Optima and Sorento, 2011-2014 Hyundai Sonata and Santa Fe, and 2010-2015 Kia Soul.Attached is a list of the reference numbers for the 404 VOQs cited above.

Additional source detail variants (208)

Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables

Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery

Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator

Electrical SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL Module

Electrical System:ignition

Electrical System:ignition:module

Electrical System:ignition:switch

Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel

Electrical System

Electrical System:propulsion System:traction Battery

Electrical System:starter Assembly

Electrical System:starter Assembly:relay

Electrical System:starter Assembly:solenoid

Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood

Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers

Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash

Electrical System:wiring

Electrical System:wiring: Rear Compartment/trunk

Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan

Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:hoses/lines/piping/fittings

Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System

Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:radiator Assembly

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:belts And Associated Pulleys

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:other Fuel Types:turbo/supercharger

Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:catalytic Convertor

Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (pcv)

Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:gas Recirculation Valve (egr Valve)

Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control

Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System

Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe

Engine And Engine Cooling

Engine

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Exterior Lighting:fog Lights

Exterior Lighting:fog Lights:switch

Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights

Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:switch

Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:unit

Exterior Lighting:headlights:concealment Devices

Exterior Lighting:headlights:high/low Beam Dimmer Switch

Exterior Lighting:headlights

Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch

Exterior Lighting:tail Lights

Exterior Lighting:tail Lights:switch

Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:flasher Unit

Exterior Lighting:turn Signal

Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:switch

Unknown Or Other