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2020 Kia Soul

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2020 Kia Soul do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 225.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

160 reports with mileage · 218 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 235 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 89 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports6 fire reports5 injury reports

Engine complaints

235 reports
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13,400 miles · Jan 15, 2021
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

AT 10K MILES THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF MULTIPLE TIMES WITH NO WARNING OR DUMMY LIGHTS RIGHT AFTER I SLOWED AND MADE A TURN. OIL CHANGE WAS SCHEDULED FOR THE FOLLOWING WEEK. TOOK VEHICLE IN AND WAS ALMOST OUT OF OIL. AT 13,400 MILES VEHICLE STARTED MAKING LOUD TICKING NOISE AND WAS NOT PROPERLY ACCELERATING. EACH TIME I HAD SLOWED TO …

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AT 10K MILES THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF MULTIPLE TIMES WITH NO WARNING OR DUMMY LIGHTS RIGHT AFTER I SLOWED AND MADE A TURN. OIL CHANGE WAS SCHEDULED FOR THE FOLLOWING WEEK. TOOK VEHICLE IN AND WAS ALMOST OUT OF OIL. AT 13,400 MILES VEHICLE STARTED MAKING LOUD TICKING NOISE AND WAS NOT PROPERLY ACCELERATING. EACH TIME I HAD SLOWED TO MAKE A TURN AND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, THE RPM WOULD GO UP, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT GO AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO OIL ON THE DIPSTICK. THEY STARTED AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST AND SAID THE ACCELERATION ISSUE WAS DUE TO LACK OF OIL. 5 DAYS AND 200 MILES LATER I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT WAS MAKING THE LOUD NOISE AGAIN FROM THE ENGINE AND ALSO NOT ACCELERATING PROPERLY. THEY TEST DROVE IT AND SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG AND TO COME BACK IN 300 MORE MILES. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE 300 MORE MILES DUE TO THE ACCELERATION ISSUES. I CALLED KIA CORPORATE AND THEY SAID THE DEALERSHIP KNOWS BEST. I AM FEARFUL OF DRIVING IT BECAUSE IT HAS ALREADY ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT ONCE.

NHTSA ODI #11388266

8,000 miles · Jan 10, 2021
Engine

TEST DROVE THIS WITH 8K MILES, AND FOUND COOLANT IN THE ENGINE OIL, AND A EMPTY COOLANT RESERVOIR WITH 2.0 NON TURBO. PURCHASED A DIFFERENT 2020, WITH NO VISIBLE COOLANT IN OIL(NEW OIL) BUT VERY LOW COOLANT IN THE RESERVOIR WITH ONLY 5K MILES. ALSO A 2020 2.0 NON TURBO. POSSIBLE LINKED TREND OF ISSUES

NHTSA ODI #11387357

8,500 miles · Jan 6, 2021
EnginePower Train

I STARTED EXPERIENCING SLIPPING UNDER THE 9K MILEAGE MARK WHILE ACCELERATING. RECENTLY AROUND 25K, WHILE GETTING AN OIL CHANGE, THE DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WAS AN UPDATE REQUIRED FOR THE TRANSMISSION THAT NEEDED TO BE LOADED TO THE COMPUTER. ABOUT 300 MILES AFTER THAT UPDATE, WHILE IN PARK, MY ENGINE SHUT OFF, FOLLOWED BY THE ENGI…

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I STARTED EXPERIENCING SLIPPING UNDER THE 9K MILEAGE MARK WHILE ACCELERATING. RECENTLY AROUND 25K, WHILE GETTING AN OIL CHANGE, THE DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WAS AN UPDATE REQUIRED FOR THE TRANSMISSION THAT NEEDED TO BE LOADED TO THE COMPUTER. ABOUT 300 MILES AFTER THAT UPDATE, WHILE IN PARK, MY ENGINE SHUT OFF, FOLLOWED BY THE ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON, THEN THE OIL LIGHT AND THE BATTERY LIGHT. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES RECENTLY IN SEVERAL WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND AFTER SEVERAL DIFFERENT PREVIOUS DRIVING DISTANCES. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO RECREATE THE ISSUE. I BROUGHT IT BACK A FEW TIMES AND I RECREATED THE ISSUE AND THEY DOCUMENTED IT, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO GET A TECH TO COME OUT AND READ THE CODES. I BROUGHT IT BACK AGAIN AND THEY WERE STILL UNABLE TO LOCATE ANY ISSUES. I ASKED IF THEY HAD CHECKED THE TRANSMISSION, BUT THEY SAID THAT THEY HAD NOT. I RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MAIL FROM KIA SAYING THAT THERE WAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND THAT IF IT WAS TURNING OFF THE ENGINE THAT IT MAY NEED REPLACING. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND LET THEM KNOW THAT I WANTED THEM TO VERIFY THERE WEREN'T SHAVINGS IN THE TRANSMISSION AS IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ONE OF THE DIAGNOSTICS RUN. THEY SAID TO BRING IT BACK IN AND THEY WOULD HAVE THEIR TECHS RUN MORE TESTS. I AM STILL WAITING TO FIND OUT THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11386767

23,020 miles · Dec 24, 2020
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

TODAY WHILE DRIVING HOME. MY 2020 KIA SOUL HIT 23000 MILES. SHORTLY AFTER AS I WAS ON HIGHWAY ON WAY HOME STILL. MY VEHICLE STARTED SPUTTERING LIKE BAD GAS. THEN STARTED JERKING AND RPMS KEPT REVVING UP EVEN THOU I WASNT PUSHING ON GAS ANY HARDER.ABOUT 27MILES FROM HOME RPMS SHOT UP AND CAR STARTED SLOWING DOWN. QUICKLY PULLED O…

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TODAY WHILE DRIVING HOME. MY 2020 KIA SOUL HIT 23000 MILES. SHORTLY AFTER AS I WAS ON HIGHWAY ON WAY HOME STILL. MY VEHICLE STARTED SPUTTERING LIKE BAD GAS. THEN STARTED JERKING AND RPMS KEPT REVVING UP EVEN THOU I WASNT PUSHING ON GAS ANY HARDER.ABOUT 27MILES FROM HOME RPMS SHOT UP AND CAR STARTED SLOWING DOWN. QUICKLY PULLED OVER. SO I PUT IN PARK THE SHIFTED TO DRIVE AGAIN TRIED TO GIVE LIL GAS BUT CAR DIDNT MOVE HAD TO GET TOWED HOME.

NHTSA ODI #11384890

6,800 miles · Dec 6, 2020
Engine

BOUGHT NEW IN FEBRUARY 2020, AS I WAS COMING HOME DOWN CITY STREETS, FROM WORK IN OCTOBER 2020, I NOTICE A KNOCKING PINGING RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.. WHEN I GOT HOME THE NOISE BECAME LOUDER AND I IMMEDIATELY CALLED KIA OF PALM SPRINGS CA TO TAKE IT IN. THEY TOLD ME AN APPOINTMENT WOULD TAKE WEEKS …

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BOUGHT NEW IN FEBRUARY 2020, AS I WAS COMING HOME DOWN CITY STREETS, FROM WORK IN OCTOBER 2020, I NOTICE A KNOCKING PINGING RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.. WHEN I GOT HOME THE NOISE BECAME LOUDER AND I IMMEDIATELY CALLED KIA OF PALM SPRINGS CA TO TAKE IT IN. THEY TOLD ME AN APPOINTMENT WOULD TAKE WEEKS TO TAKE IN OR DROP OFF AND WOULD TAKE ABOUT 4 DAYS TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT. I DECIDED TO DROP IT OFF AS THE CAR WAS STILL MOVABLE, DROPPED IT OF WITH NO APPOINTMENT. THE DEALER CALLED ME ABOUT A WEEK LATER AND COULD NOT FIND A REASON FOR THE NOISE AND WOULD KEEP CHECKING. ABOUT ANOTHER WEEK INTO THE ISSUE WE WERE TOLD THE ENGINE FAILED AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. TO DATE, AND WOULD TAKE 3 TO 4 WEEKS TO RECEIVE A NEW ENGINE AND ANOTHER 2 WEEKS FOR INSTALLATION. WE ARE NOW IN DECEMBER AND HAVE NO CAR AND HAVE HAD TO MAKE MONTHLY PAYMENTS ON OUR CAR LOAN. I HAVE COMPLAINED DIRECTLY TO KIA MOTORS AND EVERY TIME I HAVE CALLED THEY SEEM TO NOT BE ABLE TO SATISFY OUR COMPLAINT AND THEY KEEP PASSING THE BUCK TELLING ME THAT MY CASE WILL HAVE TO BE ESCALATED TO A HIGHER AND DIFFERENT DEPARTMENT BECAUSE NO ONE HAS AUTHORITY TO MAKE DECISION UNLESS WE GO THRU THEIR PROCESS OF ESCALATION AND EACH TIME SAY THEY WILL CALL ME AND I HAVE TO CALL THEM. I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH THIS SITUATION AND REGRET HAVING BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11378095

13,222 miles · Oct 23, 2020
EnginePower Train

2020 KIA SOUL PURCHASED IN MARCH OF 2020. VEHICLE STARTED TO DEVELOP A MILD "TICKING" NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT THAT PROGRESSIVELY BECAME WORSE AND WORSE AT THE END OF OCTOBER 2020. ON 10/11/2020, THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED A CONSIDERABLE GRINDING/CLICKING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, BUT WAS STILL DRIVABLE. WE WERE STO…

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2020 KIA SOUL PURCHASED IN MARCH OF 2020. VEHICLE STARTED TO DEVELOP A MILD "TICKING" NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT THAT PROGRESSIVELY BECAME WORSE AND WORSE AT THE END OF OCTOBER 2020. ON 10/11/2020, THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED A CONSIDERABLE GRINDING/CLICKING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, BUT WAS STILL DRIVABLE. WE WERE STOPPED AT A STOPLIGHT THAT AFTERNOON WHEN THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO LURCH FORWARD, BUT WAS STOPPED BY THE BRAKES BEING APPLIED. THE VEHICLE MADE A SCREECHING NOISE VERY BRIEFLY, AND DIED. VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE RESTARTED, AND HAD TO BE PUSHED TO A PARKING LOT. ON ATTEMPTING TO RESTART THE VEHICLE A FEW MINUTES LATER, THE ENGINE TURNED OVER, MADE SOME VERY CONSIDERABLE GRINDING NOISES AND SHUT OFF AGAIN. ALL DASH INDICATOR LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. KIA ROADSIDE TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP, AND I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM THEM AT ALL. I HAVE CALLED 2-3 TIMES, AND WAS ONLY TOLD TODAY BY A SECRETARY THAT IT APPEARED THE VEHICLE NEEDS A WHOLE NEW MOTOR. I STILL HAVE NOT BEEN DIRECTLY COMMUNICATED WITH BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR. HAD THIS FAILURE OCCURRED ON THE FREEWAY AT SPEEDS, THE END RESULT COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DIFFERENT.

NHTSA ODI #11365951

Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2020
EngineUnknown Or Other

IN THE MORNINGS VEHICLE IS NOT STARTING. TAKES 20 TRIES...HAS OCCURED LAST 5 DAYS.

NHTSA ODI #11350744

9,200 miles · Jun 13, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

BOUGHT CAR NEW IN OCTOBER OF 2019 IN MARCH 2020 CAR TURNED OFF AS I WAS DRIVING I PUT IT IN PARK TURNED BACK ON WITH A LOUD NOISE CALLED THE SHOP THEY SAID IT WAS LOW ON OIL BUT THEY JUST CHANGED THE OIL 3 WEEKS PRIOR SO THEY ADDED MORE OIL TOLD ME TO COME BACK IN 30 DAYS AND A MONTH LATER IT SHUT OFF ON ME AGAIN SO I BROUGHT IT…

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BOUGHT CAR NEW IN OCTOBER OF 2019 IN MARCH 2020 CAR TURNED OFF AS I WAS DRIVING I PUT IT IN PARK TURNED BACK ON WITH A LOUD NOISE CALLED THE SHOP THEY SAID IT WAS LOW ON OIL BUT THEY JUST CHANGED THE OIL 3 WEEKS PRIOR SO THEY ADDED MORE OIL TOLD ME TO COME BACK IN 30 DAYS AND A MONTH LATER IT SHUT OFF ON ME AGAIN SO I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY DETERMINED I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE SO THEY ORDERED A NEW ENGINE AND SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE NEW ENGINE SO THEY HAD TO ORDER ANOTHER ENGINE I FINALLY AFTER ABOUT 2 MONTHS MAYBE MORE I GOT MY CAR BACK ON JUNE 4TH I PICKED UP MY CAR AND ON MONDAY JUNE 8TH I TURNED ON MY CAR AND A MESSAGE ABOUT THE TIRE PRESSURE SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE CHECKED AND THE AUTO SHUT OFF LIGHT WAS BLINKING THE ABS LIGHT THE EMERGENCY BREAK LIGHT ENGINE LIGHT AND OTHERS WERE FLASHING AND THE STEERING WHEEL FELT LOOSE AND THE SPEEDOMETER WAS READING 0 WHILE I WAS DRIVING I LEFT IT RUNNING AND AFTER A WHILE THEY ALL SHUT OFF AND SPEEDOMETER WORKED AND STEERING WHEEL FELT FINE WELL YESTERDAY IN FRIDAY JUNE 12TH I TURNED THE CAR ON AT 8AM AND ALL THE LIGHTS WERE FLASHING AGAIN INCLUDING THE AUTO OF LIGHT THE SPEEDOMETER READ 0 WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND THE STEERING WHEEL FELT LOOSE AGAIN AND THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT AND SYSTEM MESSAGE CAME ON AGAIN I TOOK A VIDEO THIS TIME BROUGHT IT BACK TO BEV SMITH KIA AND HAD NO CAR ALL DAY UNTIL I FINALLY ASKED ABOUT A LOANER AT 4:30PM WAS TOLD TO GO TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET A LOANER WAITED THERE FOR AN HOUR FOR THE LOANER BUT AT THIS POINT I DON'T EVEN WANT THE SOUL BACK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11328644

2,300 miles · May 26, 2020
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND DECELERATED TO 3 MPH AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT AND VEHICLE OCCUPANT STRUCK THE DASHBOARD HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO FUCCILLO KIA OF GREECE (4321 W RIDGE RD, ROCHESTER, …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND DECELERATED TO 3 MPH AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT AND VEHICLE OCCUPANT STRUCK THE DASHBOARD HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO FUCCILLO KIA OF GREECE (4321 W RIDGE RD, ROCHESTER, NY 14626, (585) 720-8000) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS METAL SHAVINGS INSIDE OF THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,300. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11326027

4,058 miles · Mar 26, 2020
Engine

I JUST PURCHASED A 2020 KIA SOUL IN DECEMBER AND IT DOESN'T EVEN HAVE 5,000 MILES ON IT YET. WHEN I WAS DRIVING IN THE CITY AND STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, THE ENGINE COMPLETELY DIED. I TRIED PUSHING ON THE GAS TO SEE IF IT WOULD GO AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WERE FLASHING. I HAD TO IMMEDIATELY PUT M…

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I JUST PURCHASED A 2020 KIA SOUL IN DECEMBER AND IT DOESN'T EVEN HAVE 5,000 MILES ON IT YET. WHEN I WAS DRIVING IN THE CITY AND STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, THE ENGINE COMPLETELY DIED. I TRIED PUSHING ON THE GAS TO SEE IF IT WOULD GO AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WERE FLASHING. I HAD TO IMMEDIATELY PUT MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON, TURN THE CAR OFF, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT STARTED RUNNING AGAIN. IT WAS SUCH A CRAZY EXPERIENCE. IT'S REALLY SAD THAT I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW CAR AND IT CANNOT EVEN KEEP ME SAFE. KIA NEEDS TO DO A RECALL ON THE ENGINES AND TRANSMISSION. THERE SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR ISSUE WITH THIS. I AM SO SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR NOW ON FREEWAYS OR ANYWHERE LONG DISTANCE. AND I'VE ONLY HAD IT FOR 3 MONTHS!

NHTSA ODI #11319302

Official recalls

1

21V259000 · Engine

Apr 13, 2021

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Soul, and 2021 Seltos vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which may result in engine damage.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Kia will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. The recall began June 11, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC209.

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

1

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.