VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON STEERING WHEEL GOT HOT
2016 Kia Soul
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Soul years
Owner complaints for the 2016 Kia Soul are substantially higher than the model-year median of 225.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Soul years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
362 reports with mileage · 448 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine. Review the 555 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 105 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 83 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
555 reportsWHILE DRIVING MY 2016 KIA SOUL GOING APPROX 60MPH MY CAR SORT JERKED LIKE IT WAS GONNA STALL BUT DIDN'T STALL INSTEAD FLASHED THE OIL LIGHT SYMBOL SEVERAL TIMES AND THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I PULLED OVER JUST IN TIME FOR THE CAR TO STALL ON THE SIDE OF THE HWY AND THE CAR WAS MAKING A RATTLE SOUND UNDER THE ENGINE W…
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WHILE DRIVING MY 2016 KIA SOUL GOING APPROX 60MPH MY CAR SORT JERKED LIKE IT WAS GONNA STALL BUT DIDN'T STALL INSTEAD FLASHED THE OIL LIGHT SYMBOL SEVERAL TIMES AND THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I PULLED OVER JUST IN TIME FOR THE CAR TO STALL ON THE SIDE OF THE HWY AND THE CAR WAS MAKING A RATTLE SOUND UNDER THE ENGINE WHEN CRANKED SO I LEFT IT OFF. THE NEXT DAY I TOWED IT TO A KIA DEALERSHIP AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A ROD COMING LOOSE IN THE ENGINE WHICH WOULD COST UPWARDS OF $6500-$7000. WHICH IS HALF OF WHAT I OWE THE BANK ON THE CAR UPON DOING SOME ONLINE RESEARCH I SEE THAT WELL OVER 616,000 OTHER CARS LIKE MINES HAVE REPORTED THE SAME ISSUE AND KIA HAS RECALLED THE 1.6 LITER ENGINE BUT NOT THE 2.0 LITER ENGINE IN MY CAR. WITH ALL THEIR CARS HAVING THE SAME EXACT ISSUE KIA NEEDS TO RECALL ALL OF THESE FAULTY ENGINES AND FIX THEM FREE OF CHARGE. FURTHER RESEARCH STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER OF THESE ENGINES HAS HAD RECALLS OF THEIR ENGINES IN KIA'S AND HYUNDAI'S SINCE 2012 AND THERE ARE SEVERAL CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS FROM ANGRY CUSTOMERS. PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL.
85K MILES 2016 KIA SOUL. TURNING FROM A STOP INTO SLOW ONCOMING SIDE STREET TRAFFIC, LOSS OF ACCELERATION POWER. RPMS TO 4, SLIGHT REV, BUT NO POWER. COULD NOT GO OVER 20 OR SO MPH. SLIGHT LOW RATTLE WHEN PULLED OVER (WITHIN 2 BLOCKS OF ISSUE). OIL LIGHT FLICKER. RAN 'FIX'D' DIAGNOSTIC. NOTHING. DRIVE SLOWLY 4 OR SO MORE MI…
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85K MILES 2016 KIA SOUL. TURNING FROM A STOP INTO SLOW ONCOMING SIDE STREET TRAFFIC, LOSS OF ACCELERATION POWER. RPMS TO 4, SLIGHT REV, BUT NO POWER. COULD NOT GO OVER 20 OR SO MPH. SLIGHT LOW RATTLE WHEN PULLED OVER (WITHIN 2 BLOCKS OF ISSUE). OIL LIGHT FLICKER. RAN 'FIX'D' DIAGNOSTIC. NOTHING. DRIVE SLOWLY 4 OR SO MORE MILES TO DESTINATION. OIL LIGHT FLICKERED UPON ARRIVAL. RAN DIAGNOSTIC AGAIN AFTER PARKING. CAMSHAFT POSITION TIMING SENSOR PULLS UP. CHECKED OIL. LOW. FILLED OIL. NEXT MORNING DRIVE 1 MORE MILE TO AAA APPROVED SHOP. THEY DO NOT MENTION CAMSHAFT SENSOR. THEY SAY OIL PRESSURE LOW EVEN WITH OIL, ENGINE ABOUT TO SEIZE UP. KNOCKING SOUND LOUD AFTER THEIR ASSESSMENT AND HOWEVER LONG THEY DROVE IT. I LOOKED ONLINE AND SAW SEVERAL MENTIONS OF KIA SOULS WITH LESS MILEAGE AND SAME PROBLEM - LOSS POWER. ENGINE QUITTING. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT EVER CAME ON. OIL LIGHT ONLY FLICKERED WHEN PARKING, AND CAR WAS TOPPED WITH OIL WITHIN 4 OR SO MILES OF THIS. NO OIL LEAKS EVIDENT. CAR WAS UP TO DATE ON MAINTENANCE AND OIL CHANGES AT RECOMMENDED SCHEDULE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 30 MPH. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PARK ON THE SIDE THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND WAS TOWED TO LEV KIA OF FRAMINGHAM (LOCATED AT 510 COCHITUATE RD, FRAM…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 30 MPH. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PARK ON THE SIDE THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND WAS TOWED TO LEV KIA OF FRAMINGHAM (LOCATED AT 510 COCHITUATE RD, FRAMINGHAM, MA 01701, (508) 879-5555) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000. *LN *TR
THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN ON A CITY STREET. THE CAR BEGAN TO MAKE KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. AS I ACCELERATED, THE KNOCKING NOISE WOULD INCREASE. THE NOISE WOULD CONTINUE EVEN IF THE CAR WAS DOING A TURN. ALSO BEING STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE WOULD BE WITH THAT KNOCKING NOISE.
IN MOTION GOING ABOUT 50 MILES PER HOUR WHEN VEHICLE MADE A KIND OF CRACKLING NOISE AND FELT A SLIGHT SPUTTERING LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STALL. PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY TO CHECK ENGINE. AFTER CHECKING FLUIDS WHILE VEHICLE WAS OFF STARTED VEHICLE AGAIN. IMMEDIATELY HEARD EVEN LOUDER CRACKLING AND CLANKING NOISES. TURNED IT OFF AGAIN.…
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IN MOTION GOING ABOUT 50 MILES PER HOUR WHEN VEHICLE MADE A KIND OF CRACKLING NOISE AND FELT A SLIGHT SPUTTERING LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STALL. PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY TO CHECK ENGINE. AFTER CHECKING FLUIDS WHILE VEHICLE WAS OFF STARTED VEHICLE AGAIN. IMMEDIATELY HEARD EVEN LOUDER CRACKLING AND CLANKING NOISES. TURNED IT OFF AGAIN. TRIED AGAIN TO CRANK AND SWITCHED INTO DIFFERENT GEAR TO SEE IF NOISE CHANGED AND IT GOT QUIETER WHEN CHANGING HEARD BUT THEN WHEN RIGHT BACK TO LOUD NOISES. AFTER LETTING IT SIT THAT AFTERNOON HAD TO DRIVE IT HOME A SHORT DISTANCE BUT DID SO VERY CAREFULLY TRYING NOT TO STRAIN THE ENGINE. THEN HAD IT TOWED THE NEXT DAY TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP. ENGINE ISSUE, BROKEN CONNECTING ROD CLANKING AROUND IN ENGINE DAMAGED THE ENGINE BLOCK. AFTER RESEARCHING I FOUND THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE BUT THAT MY KIA SOUL PLUS WITH THE 2.0L ENGINE WAS NOT INCLUDED. I SCOURED THE WEB LOOKING FOR OTHER PLUS OR EXCLAIM SOUL OWNERS WITH SIMILAR ISSUES AND THERE WAS NO SHORTAGE. I THINK THE 2.0 L ENGINE NEEDS TO BE INCLUDED WITH THIS RECALL ISSUE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE STEERING CONTROL MODULE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER BECAME DEFECTIVE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V608000 (STEERING) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGIN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE STEERING CONTROL MODULE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER BECAME DEFECTIVE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V608000 (STEERING) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS. ALSO, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING, THE ENGINE SHOOK AND A SULFUR ODOR EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FIRST KIA (2081 1ST ST, SIMI VALLEY, CA 93065, (805) 624-4044), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING NOISE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE CONTACT MANAGED TO VEER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD WHERE SMOKE WAS NOTICED COMING FROM THE HOOD. THERE WERE NO FLAMES; HOWEVER, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED ANYWAY. THE VE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING NOISE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE CONTACT MANAGED TO VEER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD WHERE SMOKE WAS NOTICED COMING FROM THE HOOD. THERE WERE NO FLAMES; HOWEVER, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED ANYWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO UNIVERSITY KIA OF DURHAM (5105 DURHAM-CHAPEL HILL BLVD, DURHAM, NC 27707, (919) 572-1700). THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 67,000.
CAR ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. DIAGNOSTIC WAS RUN BY PRIVATE MECHANIC. THE CODE THAT POPPED INDICATED THAT IT COULD BE A CATALYTIC CONVERTER PROBLEM.MECHANIC DROPPED A CAMERA ON AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAS MELTED DUE TO WHAT HE ASSUMES IS EXCESSIVE HEAT. MECHANIC INDICATES THAT THIS DOES NOT MAKE SENSE GIVEN THE LOW MILEAGE OF TH…
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CAR ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. DIAGNOSTIC WAS RUN BY PRIVATE MECHANIC. THE CODE THAT POPPED INDICATED THAT IT COULD BE A CATALYTIC CONVERTER PROBLEM.MECHANIC DROPPED A CAMERA ON AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAS MELTED DUE TO WHAT HE ASSUMES IS EXCESSIVE HEAT. MECHANIC INDICATES THAT THIS DOES NOT MAKE SENSE GIVEN THE LOW MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SOUL. WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PUSH THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, BUT MANAGED TO EVENTUALLY DRIVE HOME. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH ENGINE FAILURE. THE DEALER…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SOUL. WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PUSH THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, BUT MANAGED TO EVENTUALLY DRIVE HOME. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH ENGINE FAILURE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.
Official recalls
219V120000 · 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
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: 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
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: 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.
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.
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
1EA21003 · 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.
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