2017 Kia Sportage

The vehicle has had recurring drivability problems since at least June 2024, including repeated check engine light illumination and severe loss of acceleration. On 06/19/2024, dealership service records document that the check engine light was on and the vehicle would not accelerate past 40 mph, and the check engine light was flashing. More recently, while driving on the interstate at highway speed, the vehicle suddenly lost power and dropped speed, forcing me to pull over on the side of the road for safety. This created a dangerous situation and risk of collision. The problem continues despite multiple service visits. A dealership service visit on 06/05/2025 documents stored diagnostic trouble code P0420 (Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold), but the dealership stated no further repairs were recommended and no repair was performed. This issue is recurring and creates a serious safety hazard due to sudden loss of power while driving. Vehicle: 2017 Kia Sportage VIN: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

"I am reporting a catastrophic engine failure (rod knock/bearing failure) in my 2017 Kia Sportage, consistent with the Theta II GDI defect. The failure caused a sudden loss of motive power while in traffic, creating a significant safety risk. Furthermore, I am reporting Bill Dodge Kia (Westbrook, ME) for safety negligence. On September 26, 2023 (at 83,611 miles), this vehicle was in their service bay for brake work. Despite the vehicle being under an active HECU Fire Risk Recall (SC206) and requiring the KSDS Product Improvement Campaign, the dealership failed to perform these safety updates or disclose them to me. When confronted, dealership management (Alex Pinto, Bob Colton, and Patrick Demers) explicitly stated it was 'not their responsibility' to inform customers of known defects or active recalls. This practice left me driving a vehicle with a known fire risk and a documented engine defect for over two years without my knowledge, ultimately leading to the current engine failure."

On 1/10 about 1.5 hour driving out of town later engine started idling low. Pulled over, replaced spark plugs and engine coil and still idling rough. Took vehicle for diagnostics of a broken head in the valve. I drive a 2.4L engine 2017 Kia Sportage LX AWD. only 114K miles. Quoted thousands and thousands, more than care worth to repair.

On 11/21/2025, while operating my vehicle, I experienced a critical engine failure. The engine failed a compression test, with readings as follows: Cylinder 1: 125 PSI Cylinder 2: 60 PSI Cylinder 3: 25 PSI Cylinder 4: 3 PSI As a result, the engine had no compression in multiple cylinders, preventing the vehicle from starting. The vehicle exhibited [smoke, stalling, or other observable symptoms]. This failure appears consistent with known issues in the Theta 2 GDI engines, including risk of engine failure or fire. I had not received notification of any required software updates or recalls relevant to this issue. Despite multiple attempts to resolve this with the dealer, including [dates of service attempts], the dealer refused to cover a replacement engine under warranty. Impact on Safety: The sudden engine failure rendered the vehicle inoperable and posed a significant safety risk due to the potential for stalling or fire while driving. Additional Notes: I am submitting this report to request that the NHTSA investigate this potential safety defect.

On November 2, while driving my 10-year-old son to a soccer game, the vehicle suffered a sudden loss of power at road speed. The vehicle's failure to provide a "limp-home mode" or any sensor warnings prior to stalling created a significant life-safety risk for my son and me as we had to coast across traffic to a safe location where the car stalled. •No Warning Indicators: There were no prior "Check Engine" lights, oil pressure warnings, or temperature fluctuations. •Hazardous Failure Mode: The vehicle stalled completely in active traffic. I was forced to perform an emergency maneuver, coasting across lanes of traffic to reach a safe shoulder. •Outcome: The vehicle was towed to Ourisman Kia of Bethesda, where service technicians diagnosed "severe internal engine failure."

My wife was driving home from work on 10-15-2025 when the car started to lose power and started shaking, vibrating really bad. She got off the exit and at the red light and it died. She called me crying and scared. She started the car back up to try to get the car home and she said the car is vibrating and shaking really bad and I’m so scared and it died again in traffic. I told her to pull over and I would come get her and she did make it home. I look at the car and found it had a misfire on cylinder 2. Cylinder 2 had NO COMPRESSION. I did take it to Kia and they confirmed the diagnosis. Here is where the problem lies. The technician that scanned my car purposely miss diagnosed it. He wrote it only had burnt valves and cylinder. He never said anything about the hole in my piston. He took a picture of it and it has a hole on top. He said the car was drivable; are you kidding me. When you start the car the voice comes over the speakers and says the computer has detected a major engine problem. My cars vin # confirms that it qualifies for the class actions settlement because of the engine that is in the car. They are known to fail because of excessive oil use, starvation of oil, bad piston rings, bad rod bearings. We have been without her car since this happened. Kia said the car was drivable and I can promise you it is not. This car is not safe at all to drive. It loss all power in traffic and it kept dying.

October 2, 2025 no oil in engine. car has always had regular oil maintenance. Dealer put almost four quarts of oil in car to start an Oil Consumption Test of 1,000 miles. November 22, 2025 driving about 70 miles an hour, on the 241 Toll Road car loses powder, speed dropped to about 20 miles an hour. I was able to make it to the highway shoulder where the engine struggled to stay running. I cut the engine off and it would not start again. Had to be towed to Covina Kia. Still had over three hundred miles before the 1,000 mile test. Last oil change July 9, 2025 at Covina Kia. I bought my 2017 Kia Sportage in October 2016 brand new. I'm the only one to drive it. I have always taken it back to dealer for servicing. All my oil changes were done with the dealer and on time. I understand there is a class action lawsuit against kia for oil starvation and engines seizing, (theta II sc147). All indications suggests my engine also suffered the same manufacturer defect as claimed in the lawsuit. AND I WANT TO BE COMPENSATED KIA Manufacturer is aware of there engine problems and should be more proactive, before someone is killed

My Kia engine has failed and Kia is refusing to submit or honor my engine replacement claim under the known engine defect class action/recall. The dealer told me that the claim cannot be submitted because a prior owner did not receive the KSDS (Knock Sensor Detection System) software update. Kia then changed their reasoning and stated the engine failure was “for another reason,” but still refuses to provide documentation or allow the claim to be processed. I was left without a vehicle, charged excessive diagnostic fees, and stranded in dangerous winter weather conditions (around -30°F wind chills). The dealership refuses to send the engine claim to Kia, stating the “missing KSDS update” as the justification, even though the engine failure was unrelated to that software and the recall states that Kia must prove the update’s absence caused the failure before denying coverage. Kia’s refusal has resulted in an unexpected repair estimate of approximately $6,000, no loaner vehicle, and severe hardship. Their actions appear to violate recall obligations and consumer safety protections, as I am being denied a known-defective engine replacement due to a prior owner’s failure to complete a software update. I am requesting investigation and intervention, as Kia is not honoring the recall process or the class action settlement requirements.

Car shut off middle of driving. mechanic said engine is seized, and no oil in engine. car has always had regular oil maintenance. there is a class action lawsuit against kia for oil starvation and engines seizing, (theta II sc147). last oil change was ~4,500 miles ago. all indications suggests my engine also suffered the same manufacturer defect as claimed in the lawsuit. Balise Kia in West Springfield MA refuses to do the inspection of the engine without proof of every single oil change since i purchased the vehicle in 2016, which is an impossible request. Corporate also stated that it is the dealership's discretion to demand oil receipts, even though I offered to print credit card statements instead, and I purchased a car fax report that has them listed beginning in 2019, but unfortunately none reported before then. I provided them with receipts of no oil changes missed since 2024. still denied the inspection. there were no warning lights prior to the engine seizing.