NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
160 reports30,000 miles · Mar 9, 2022
Air BagsCrashInjury
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at 10 MPH, another vehicle crashed into his rear driver's side door and wheel well. None of the air bags deployed upon impact. The contact's head hit the seat belt anchor ring upon impact. The contact later received medical attention for a tear in his sh…
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The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at 10 MPH, another vehicle crashed into his rear driver's side door and wheel well. None of the air bags deployed upon impact. The contact's head hit the seat belt anchor ring upon impact. The contact later received medical attention for a tear in his shoulder and whiplash. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and then to a body shop where it was repaired. The tow truck driver informed the contact that the rear axle had fractured from the sub-frame. The vehicle was not deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V031000 (Air Bags) however, the VIN, year, and model were not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
NHTSA ODI #11455821
Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2022
Unknown Or Other
While driving a week ago with the panoramic sun roof open, I heard a loud pop. It was loud enough for me to jump and look up because I thought something had fell on the car while driving, but nothing came inside. Once I got home, I was looking at my car, the panel before the sunroof, between the windshield and the panoramic sun …
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While driving a week ago with the panoramic sun roof open, I heard a loud pop. It was loud enough for me to jump and look up because I thought something had fell on the car while driving, but nothing came inside. Once I got home, I was looking at my car, the panel before the sunroof, between the windshield and the panoramic sun roof had a deep cracked line from left to right.
NHTSA ODI #11454648
Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 2022
Electrical SystemEngineFire
My car caught on fire in campground where I was staying. Also burned up 2 other vehicles, my RV was deemed a total loss and it also damaged 2 other campers. There was a fire investigation which was ordered by my insurance and there is another mechanical engineer investigation pending. There was a recall on my car and I had taken…
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My car caught on fire in campground where I was staying. Also burned up 2 other vehicles, my RV was deemed a total loss and it also damaged 2 other campers. There was a fire investigation which was ordered by my insurance and there is another mechanical engineer investigation pending. There was a recall on my car and I had taken it to dealership last year for repair. There was no warning lights.
NHTSA ODI #11451080
Mileage unknown · Jan 21, 2022
Exterior LightingLane Departure
I am writing because this is an accident, just "waiting to happen." I buy a new car every 3 or 4 years. I purchase every option, and even purchase the extended warranty package to 7 yrs, because of all the electronics in newer cars. I have never noticed on any of them, what I believe is an unsafe driving condition, until now. …
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I am writing because this is an accident, just "waiting to happen." I buy a new car every 3 or 4 years. I purchase every option, and even purchase the extended warranty package to 7 yrs, because of all the electronics in newer cars. I have never noticed on any of them, what I believe is an unsafe driving condition, until now. On my 2020 Kia Sportage...at night, when dark, and you turn off either Left or Right...for some reason, the light does not follow you...it stays focused straight ahead. So, for some seconds, you cannot see, until your car straightens out again. This, I believe is a safety issue. If there was something, in that blind spot few seconds, you would hit it; a child, a biker, a large hole, an animal or some unexpected thing...because it is impossible to see until the car totally straightens again. Accidents happen in seconds. I drive very slowly in turns, since I realized the bad decision someone at KIA made with the lighting package on this car.....but with that extra caution I take, I realize also, that someone coming behind me on the turn, could actually run into me, not expecting me to go slow as I turn off left or right....much slower than I would in daylight. I have called KIA Service and the 800 Customer Service number as well...they just refer you back and forth. So, I am writing to Consumer Safety hoping you can help. This is not an "option", it is a Safety Issue. Sincerely, [XXX] I bought it from Jim Shorkey dealership in Wexford, PA INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA ODI #11448367
Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 2022
Steering
My vehicle was stolen some time between the evening of 01/09/2022 and the morning of 01/10/2022. The rear left window was smashed to allow entry into the vehicle, and no alarm was heard overnight. This vehicle was stolen without the use of a key, as both keys were inside my apartment at the time of the theft. The thieves stri…
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My vehicle was stolen some time between the evening of 01/09/2022 and the morning of 01/10/2022. The rear left window was smashed to allow entry into the vehicle, and no alarm was heard overnight. This vehicle was stolen without the use of a key, as both keys were inside my apartment at the time of the theft. The thieves stripped the steering column and used what appeared to be a screwdriver and/or a USB port (both items were found inside the vehicle upon recovery) to start the vehicle. This problem has made national news in Milwaukee, WI, and is becoming more common here in Columbus, OH.
NHTSA ODI #11448144
Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2021
Fuel System, Gasoline
Oxt 2021 check engine light illuminated on my 2020 Kia Sportage. Code P242200 was pulled. service technician replaced the Canister Close Valve due to sticking open. Nov 2, 2021 the check engine illuminated again during a trip out of state. During the trip the engine light would go from illuminated to off a number of times. T…
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Oxt 2021 check engine light illuminated on my 2020 Kia Sportage. Code P242200 was pulled. service technician replaced the Canister Close Valve due to sticking open. Nov 2, 2021 the check engine illuminated again during a trip out of state. During the trip the engine light would go from illuminated to off a number of times. The car was returned to the dealer on November 16, 2021 The service technician retrieved code 2422 and contacted Kia tech line. It was decided to drop the fuel tank and inspect the evap canister. Spiders (yellow sac spiders) were found on the canister and webbing and spiders found in lines. Since this was an “environmental” condition and not mechanical defect this service was not covered under warranty or by a Tech Service Bulletin. At issue is that this problem (spiders being drawn to the evap canister and fuel lines) has previously been identified by the Automotive industry circa 2004 to present. This is clearly a safety defect that could cause fuel tanks or lines to rupture and environmental issues the affected parts were meant to help prevent. At issue is that this problem (spiders being drawn to the evap canister and fuel lines) has previously been identified by the Automotive industry circa 2004 to present. This is clearly a safety defect that could cause fuel tanks or lines to rupture and environmental issues the affected parts were meant to help prevent. See additional attachments.
NHTSA ODI #11445272
Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 2021
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V137000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer and Medved …
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The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V137000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer and Medved Kia (11201 W Interstate 70 Frontage Rd N, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033) were made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA ODI #11438199
Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2021
Unknown Or Other
Car was stolen using a known design flaw in the steering column. Have been without my car for over two months now.
NHTSA ODI #11434654
Mileage unknown · Sep 3, 2021
Unknown Or OtherCrash
This complaint is against Fox rent a car . We rented a car from Fox car rentals located near Denver airport . Unfortunately our car was hit by a deer we called the police and they prepared a report the deputy sheriff Also mentioned that Fox rent a car has rented us and expired registration and under repo/recall vehicle which may…
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This complaint is against Fox rent a car . We rented a car from Fox car rentals located near Denver airport . Unfortunately our car was hit by a deer we called the police and they prepared a report the deputy sheriff Also mentioned that Fox rent a car has rented us and expired registration and under repo/recall vehicle which may have serious consequences for us. Nevertheless we returned the car and filled a accident form with our insurance policy and police report details . The employee at the location confirmed that since we are insured with Allstate we are only responsible to pay the deductible which in our case was $1000. Now we are received a demand from fox rental for $1810.53 . We have agreed to pay the deductible but not a single cent more . Also we would like to claim any appropriate damages / compensation for negligence and irresponsibility by fox rental for renting us expired registration car under repossession . Police officer card and case number with damage form attached
NHTSA ODI #11431580
13,000 miles · Aug 13, 2021
Unknown Or Other
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while vehicle was parked, with the engine running, the contact noticed that the check engine warning light illuminated on the vehicle and would not turn off. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V137000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) which the contact…
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The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while vehicle was parked, with the engine running, the contact noticed that the check engine warning light illuminated on the vehicle and would not turn off. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V137000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) which the contact thought was the reason for the warning light being illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be repaired, however the warning light remained illuminated. The contact stated that the local dealer inspected the vehicle but was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 13,000.
NHTSA ODI #11429038
NHTSA investigations
2AQ23002 · 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.