NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
360 reportsClear category filter91,000 miles · Mar 8, 2019
Engine
I WAS DRIVING AND WAS STOPPED IN A TURNING LANE WAITING TO TURN WHEN THE CAR STOPPED WORKING AND WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING. I HAD IT TOWED TO A KIA DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED. THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THIS TO HAVE HAPPENED ON A NEWER VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS SLUDGE, MUCH LIKE I AM FINDING A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH…
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I WAS DRIVING AND WAS STOPPED IN A TURNING LANE WAITING TO TURN WHEN THE CAR STOPPED WORKING AND WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING. I HAD IT TOWED TO A KIA DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED. THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THIS TO HAVE HAPPENED ON A NEWER VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS SLUDGE, MUCH LIKE I AM FINDING A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THESE VEHICLES WERE TOLD. IT COST ME $5700 TO HAVE A USED ENGINE PUT IN THAT WILL LIKELY FAIL AS WELL, AS AFTER RESEARCHING THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THESE VEHICLES. THERE WAS A RECALL UP TO YEAR 2014 FOR KNOWN ENGINE FAILURE AND IT SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO 2015 BECAUSE THE PROBLEM IS BEYOND THE YEAR 2014 ENGINES.
NHTSA ODI #11185022
74,000 miles · Mar 7, 2019
Engine
BETWEEN OIL CHANGES, THE ENGINE ON THIS VEHICLE BURNED THROUGH / CONSUMED ALL OF THE FULL SYNTHETIC OIL CAUSING A MASSIVE FAILURE WITH THE TIMING CHAIN AND ALL THE TENSIONERS. REPAIR ESTIMATE: $2800. I'VE NEVER HAD A CAR THAT CONSUMED OIL LIKE THIS. IT WAS UNPREDICTABLE. IF I HAD CAUGHT THIS LATER, IT WAS HAVE LIKELY CAUSED A MO…
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BETWEEN OIL CHANGES, THE ENGINE ON THIS VEHICLE BURNED THROUGH / CONSUMED ALL OF THE FULL SYNTHETIC OIL CAUSING A MASSIVE FAILURE WITH THE TIMING CHAIN AND ALL THE TENSIONERS. REPAIR ESTIMATE: $2800. I'VE NEVER HAD A CAR THAT CONSUMED OIL LIKE THIS. IT WAS UNPREDICTABLE. IF I HAD CAUGHT THIS LATER, IT WAS HAVE LIKELY CAUSED A MORE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE REQUIRING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE ENGINE OR REBUILD. THE VEHICLE IS UNDER 75,000 MILES. HAD I BEEN THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE, A 100,000 MILE WARRANTY WOULD APPLY. HOWEVER, SUBSEQUENT OWNERS LOSE 40,000 MILES OF WARRANTY COVERAGE. MY WARRANTY IS EXPIRED AS A RESULT. KIA HAS HAD OTHER RECALLS ON PRIOR YEAR SORENTO MODELS, BUT THE 2015 IS YET TO BE RECALLED AS OF THE WRITING OF THIS COMPLAINT. I HOPE THAT CHANGES IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
NHTSA ODI #11184931
74,500 miles · Feb 26, 2019
Engine
THE ENGINE BEGAN KNOCKING WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS OCCURRED ABOUT 2000 MILES INTO THE LAST OIL CHANGE. THE DEALERSHIP IS STATING THE BEARINGS IN THE ENGINE ARE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #11182585
7 miles · Feb 21, 2019
Engine
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY CAR LOST POWER AND CUT OFF, WAS ABLE TO START AGAIN AND GET TO DEALER MAINTAINING SPEED ROUGHLY 45 MPH
NHTSA ODI #11181691
41,000 miles · Feb 18, 2019
Engine
SITTING AT A RED LIGHT I NOTICED MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHING. THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND WHEN I PUSHED THE ACCELERATOR I HAD ZERO POWER. IT WAS ABLE TO GO UP TO 20MPH AND I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT UP THE HILL AND INTO MY WORK PARKING LOT. I CALLED KIA AND LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO GET TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY STATED ITS PROBABLY A…
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SITTING AT A RED LIGHT I NOTICED MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHING. THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND WHEN I PUSHED THE ACCELERATOR I HAD ZERO POWER. IT WAS ABLE TO GO UP TO 20MPH AND I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT UP THE HILL AND INTO MY WORK PARKING LOT. I CALLED KIA AND LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO GET TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY STATED ITS PROBABLY AN ENGINE MISFIRE, WE'LL HAVE YOU UP AND RUNNING IN NO TIME. THE NEXT DAY, I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP (BC I DIDN'T HEAR FROM THEM) AND WAS TOLD "WERE ORDERING YOU A NEW ENGINE". 6 DAYS LATER I CALLED AGAIN BECAUSE I STILL HAVEN'T A REASON AS TO WHY.. I WAS INFORMED THE UPDATE THEY DID ON MY COMPUTER DID SOMETHING TO MY ENGINE AND THATS THEIR ONLY SOLUTION. MIND YOU THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 41K MILES ON IT! APPARENTLY THAT HAPPENS ALOT TO KIA'S BUT I WISH I KNEW BEFORE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE! TOTAL PIECE OF JUNK AND I DON'T FEEL SAFE. SIDE NOTE: MY TRANSMISSION HAS ALWAYS SHIFTTED VERY HARD IN THE MORNING (EVEN AFTER A 20MIN WARMUP) THEIR LOOKING INTO THAT NOW.
NHTSA ODI #11180867
20,000 miles · Feb 5, 2019
Engine
WE HAD A 2015 KIA SORENTO THAT WAS BURNING THROUGH VERY HIGH AMOUNTS OF OIL WHEN DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM BUT ASKED US TO SUPPLY ALL OIL CHANGE RECORDS WHICH WE DID NOT HAVE AVAILABLE, THE CAR WAS UNDER LEASE. WHEN WE BROUGHT IT BACK TO KIA, ON LEASE, WE WERE TOLD WE HAD TO PAY OVER $6000.…
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WE HAD A 2015 KIA SORENTO THAT WAS BURNING THROUGH VERY HIGH AMOUNTS OF OIL WHEN DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM BUT ASKED US TO SUPPLY ALL OIL CHANGE RECORDS WHICH WE DID NOT HAVE AVAILABLE, THE CAR WAS UNDER LEASE. WHEN WE BROUGHT IT BACK TO KIA, ON LEASE, WE WERE TOLD WE HAD TO PAY OVER $6000. WE HAVE NOT PAID AT THIS POINT.
NHTSA ODI #11174523
50,000 miles · Jan 25, 2019
Engine
WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY INTERSECTION ON 1/15/2019 AROUND 2:30 PM AND DOING AROUND 40MPH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING. A SHORT WHILE AFTER THE CEL BEGAN FLASHING THE CAR RPMS SLOWED DOWN EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS IN MOTION & I WAS PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR. THE CAR BEHIND ME BEGAN HONKING THEIR HORN BECAUSE MY VEHICLE W…
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WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY INTERSECTION ON 1/15/2019 AROUND 2:30 PM AND DOING AROUND 40MPH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING. A SHORT WHILE AFTER THE CEL BEGAN FLASHING THE CAR RPMS SLOWED DOWN EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS IN MOTION & I WAS PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR. THE CAR BEHIND ME BEGAN HONKING THEIR HORN BECAUSE MY VEHICLE WAS SLOWING DOWN. I TRIED TO FIND A STREET WHERE I COULD SAFELY PULL OVER. AFTER DODGING CARS WHILE THE CAR WAS IN A SLOW RPMS MOTION I PULLED OVER TO A SIDE STREET & SHIFTED THE GEAR TO PARK BUT KEPT THE ENGINE RUNNING AND TRIED TO CALM DOWN. I DECIDED TO HEAD HOME, AFTER SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE I STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR AND THE CAR WAS IN MOTION BUT THE RPMS ONLY REACHED 10MPH EVEN THOUGH I KEPT MY FOOT ON THE GAS. AND SLOWLY BUT SURELY THE SPEED INCREASED. THE SLOW ACCELERATION FROM A PARK AND STOP MODE THE CAR WAS SLOW TO ACCELERATE. THE STATE OF MY COMPONENT PART OR SYSTEM IS UNKNOWN. GOOGLED RECALLS FOR 2015 SORENTO'S AND FOUND SEVERAL WEBSITES PERTAINING TO A RECALL ON KIA SORENTO'S. HOWEVER AFTER CONTACTING KIA (1-800-333-4542) THE REPRESENTATIVE INFORMED ME THAT MY 2015 KIA SORENTO WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. SINCE MY CAR WAS ONLY AROUND 50,000 MILES SHE INFORMED ME THAT IT'S STILL UNDER WARRANTY. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP (1450 E CAMELBACK RD, PHOENIX, AZ 85014 602-388-1276) ABOUT THE ISSUE I AM HAVING. THE SERVICE ADVISOR ERIK INFORMED ME THAT HE WOULD HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO THEIR DEALERSHIP AND CHECK OUT THE ISSUE. STATED "IT" "SHOULD BE" COVERED SINCE I WAS UNDER 60,000. I'M WAITING ON WHAT THE MECHANIC FINDS AND IF THE ISSUE WILL BE COVERED.
NHTSA ODI #11172161
150,000 miles · Jan 20, 2019
EnginePower Train
WE WENT TO GET OIL CHANGED AND THEY SAID IF THEY CHANGE OIL THE ENGINE WILL EXPLOED . THEY SAID OUR VEHICLE HAD RECALL ON IT
NHTSA ODI #11171106
70,000 miles · Jan 18, 2019
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON AUGUST 15, 2018. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ON THE HIGHWAY, AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK. GALEANA CHRYSLER JEEP KIA (180 GREYSTONE BLVD, COLUMBIA, SC 29210, (803) 779-7300) PERFORMED A DIAG…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON AUGUST 15, 2018. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ON THE HIGHWAY, AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK. GALEANA CHRYSLER JEEP KIA (180 GREYSTONE BLVD, COLUMBIA, SC 29210, (803) 779-7300) PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND CLEARED SOME OF THE CODES THAT APPEARED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURES RECURRED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, A BOOMING SOUND WAS HEARD FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT SOME SCREWS DETACHED FROM THE CAM TIMING SHAFT AND THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE MANUFACTURER WHO ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY SINCE IT HAD OVER 60,000 MILES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A HISTORY OF CODE MISFIRES AND NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
NHTSA ODI #11170711
57,000 miles · Jan 17, 2019
Engine
AFTER KIA DEALERSHIP INSTALLED THE KNOCK SENSOR SOFTWARE UPDATE IN OCTOBER 2018, THE ENGINE WENT INTO LIMP HOME MODE WITH ENGINE LIGHT BLINKING IN THE MONTH OF JANUARY 2019. DEALERSHIP ADVISED ME ENGINE FAILED AND WOULD BE REPLACED UNDER KIA WARRANTY FOR THIS ISSUE. VEHICLE HAS 57,000 MILES ON IT. PROBLEM NOW IS DEALERSHIP SA…
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AFTER KIA DEALERSHIP INSTALLED THE KNOCK SENSOR SOFTWARE UPDATE IN OCTOBER 2018, THE ENGINE WENT INTO LIMP HOME MODE WITH ENGINE LIGHT BLINKING IN THE MONTH OF JANUARY 2019. DEALERSHIP ADVISED ME ENGINE FAILED AND WOULD BE REPLACED UNDER KIA WARRANTY FOR THIS ISSUE. VEHICLE HAS 57,000 MILES ON IT. PROBLEM NOW IS DEALERSHIP SAYS NEW ENGINE WON'T BE SENT TO THEM FOR 3-4 WEEKS. THEN ADDITIONAL WEEK TO INSTALL. IT'S ALREADY BEEN THERE OVER TWO WEEKS. THEY DID PROVIDE LOANER. CORRECTION THIS OCCURRED IN DECEMBER 2018, NOT JANUARY 2019.
NHTSA ODI #11170632
NHTSA investigations
4AQ23002 · 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.
DP21002 · Engine Oil Pressure Switch Leak
Opened Nov 12, 2021 · Closed Jun 26, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:oil/lubrication:pressure/temperature Sensor
In a letter dated September 30, 2021, Mr. Gerald James (the petitioner) requested that NHTSA conduct an investigation of the Model Year (MY) 2015-2017 Kia Sorento equipped with 3.3L V6 ?Lambda? engines for ?severe oil leaks? from the oil pressure switch (OPS) that could ?lead to engine failure? with little warning to the driver. Mr. James based this request on his own experience and data found in NHTSA?s Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) database. NHTSA reviewed the material cited by the petitioner, information submitted by Kia, NHTSA?s testing, and other pertinent information in NHTSA databases.On November 12, 2021, ODI opened Defect Petition DP21-002 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI performed an analysis that included evaluation of the petitioner?s vehicle, searches of ODI complaints from vehicle owners, non-dealer field reports, manufacturers? supplemental information relating to design of the component, and component testing performed by ODI.On December 16, 2021, ODI and Kia North America performed a joint inspection on the petitioner?s vehicle. ODI and Kia agreed the OPS was leaking oil and observed oil in the crevices atop the engine block. The vehicle received a new replacement OPS and was delivered back to the petitioner. The original part that was removed from the subject vehicle was retained by ODI for further analysis.As of December 30, 2022, for the MY 2015-2017 Kia Sorento population of 161,519 vehicles with 3.3L engine, NHTSA reviewed internal data and has identified no consumer complaints or field reports in its database, with unique Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN), citing engine failure or stalling related to the petition?s allegation of defective OPS. When combined with the supplemental warranty and technical analysis from the manufacturer, field report and customer complaint data in response to the Information Request letter sent, NHTSA identified no unique VINs alleging engine failure or stalls caused by OPS leaking on the subject vehicles named in the petition.On April 4, 2022, the Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC) performed testing of the petitioner?s component (OPS) based on testing protocol consistent with Kia?s specifications for the subject vehicle. The testing involved the petitioner?s original OPS in a controlled system to replicate the subject vehicle?s oil pressure, flow, and temperature. VRTC determined that a vehicle would have to miss more than a dozen oil change intervals to reach low engine oil capacity. Testing also revealed the OPS would operate, as manufacturer intended, illuminating the vehicle?s MIL to alert the driver of lower oil pressure.In April of 2022, Kia North America issued a warranty extension that extended the coverage of the Oil Pressure Switch from 5 years/60,000 miles to 15 years/150,000 miles on MY 2014-2018 Sorento, MY 2014-2016 Cadenza, and MY 2015-2018 Sedona vehicles, all equipped with the 3.3L Lambda engine. The extended warranty coverage includes diagnosis, repair, and applies to customers experiencing engine oil leaking from the engine or if the engine oil pressure warning light stays illuminated after the engine is turned on.After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in NHTSA's possession, testing performed by VRTC, technical information provided by Kia, the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner's allegation, NHTSA does not believe that an engine failure due to the alleged defect is likely and does not warrant a formal investigation. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA?s reasons for denial of the petition will be publi
Additional source detail variants (2)
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:oil/lubrication:pressure/temperature Sensor
In a letter dated September 30, 2021, Mr. Gerald James (the petitioner) requested that NHTSA conduct an investigation of the Model Year (MY) 2015-2017 Kia Sorento equipped with 3.3L V6 ?Lambda? engines for ?severe oil leaks? from the oil pressure switch (OPS) that could ?lead to engine failure? with little warning to the driver. Mr. James based this request on his own experience and data found in NHTSA?s Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) database. NHTSA reviewed the material cited by the petitioner, information submitted by Kia, NHTSA?s testing, and other pertinent information in NHTSA databases.On November 12, 2021, ODI opened Defect Petition DP21-002 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI performed an analysis that included evaluation of the petitioner?s vehicle, searches of ODI complaints from vehicle owners, non-dealer field reports, manufacturers? supplemental information relating to design of the component, and component testing performed by ODI.On December 16, 2021, ODI and Kia North America performed a joint inspection on the petitioner?s vehicle. ODI and Kia agreed the OPS was leaking oil and observed oil in the crevices atop the engine block. The vehicle received a new replacement OPS and was delivered back to the petitioner. The original part that was removed from the subject vehicle was retained by ODI for further analysis.As of December 30, 2022, for the MY 2015-2017 Kia Sorento population of 161,519 vehicles with 3.3L engine, NHTSA reviewed internal data and has identified no consumer complaints or field reports in its database, with unique Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN), citing engine failure or stalling related to the petition?s allegation of defective OPS. When combined with the supplemental warranty and technical analysis from the manufacturer, field report and customer complaint data in response to the Information Request letter sent, NHTSA identified no unique VINs alleging engine failure or stalls caused by OPS leaking on the subject vehicles named in the petition.On April 4, 2022, the Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC) performed testing of the petitioner?s component (OPS) based on testing protocol consistent with Kia?s specifications for the subject vehicle. The testing involved the petitioner?s original OPS in a controlled system to replicate the subject vehicle?s oil pressure, flow, and temperature. VRTC determined that a vehicle would have to miss more than a dozen oil change intervals to reach low engine oil capacity. Testing also revealed the OPS would operate, as manufacturer intended, illuminating the vehicle?s MIL to alert the driver of lower oil pressure.In April of 2022, Kia North America issued a warranty extension that extended the coverage of the Oil Pressure Switch from 5 years/60,000 miles to 15 years/150,000 miles on MY 2014-2018 Sorento, MY 2014-2016 Cadenza, and MY 2015-2018 Sedona vehicles, all equipped with the 3.3L Lambda engine. The extended warranty coverage includes diagnosis, repair, and applies to customers experiencing engine oil leaking from the engine or if the engine oil pressure warning light stays illuminated after the engine is turned on.After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in NHTSA's possession, testing performed by VRTC, technical information provided by Kia, the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner's allegation, NHTSA does not believe that an engine failure due to the alleged defect is likely and does not warrant a formal investigation. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA?s reasons for denial of the petition will be publi
Engine
In a letter dated September 30, 2021, Mr. Gerald James (the petitioner) requested that NHTSA conduct an investigation of the Model Year (MY) 2015-2017 Kia Sorento equipped with 3.3L V6 ?Lambda? engines for ?severe oil leaks? from the oil pressure switch (OPS) that could ?lead to engine failure? with little warning to the driver. Mr. James based this request on his own experience and data found in NHTSA?s Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) database. NHTSA reviewed the material cited by the petitioner, information submitted by Kia, NHTSA?s testing, and other pertinent information in NHTSA databases.On November 12, 2021, ODI opened Defect Petition DP21-002 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI performed an analysis that included evaluation of the petitioner?s vehicle, searches of ODI complaints from vehicle owners, non-dealer field reports, manufacturers? supplemental information relating to design of the component, and component testing performed by ODI.On December 16, 2021, ODI and Kia North America performed a joint inspection on the petitioner?s vehicle. ODI and Kia agreed the OPS was leaking oil and observed oil in the crevices atop the engine block. The vehicle received a new replacement OPS and was delivered back to the petitioner. The original part that was removed from the subject vehicle was retained by ODI for further analysis.As of December 30, 2022, for the MY 2015-2017 Kia Sorento population of 161,519 vehicles with 3.3L engine, NHTSA reviewed internal data and has identified no consumer complaints or field reports in its database, with unique Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN), citing engine failure or stalling related to the petition?s allegation of defective OPS. When combined with the supplemental warranty and technical analysis from the manufacturer, field report and customer complaint data in response to the Information Request letter sent, NHTSA identified no unique VINs alleging engine failure or stalls caused by OPS leaking on the subject vehicles named in the petition.On April 4, 2022, the Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC) performed testing of the petitioner?s component (OPS) based on testing protocol consistent with Kia?s specifications for the subject vehicle. The testing involved the petitioner?s original OPS in a controlled system to replicate the subject vehicle?s oil pressure, flow, and temperature. VRTC determined that a vehicle would have to miss more than a dozen oil change intervals to reach low engine oil capacity. Testing also revealed the OPS would operate, as manufacturer intended, illuminating the vehicle?s MIL to alert the driver of lower oil pressure.In April of 2022, Kia North America issued a warranty extension that extended the coverage of the Oil Pressure Switch from 5 years/60,000 miles to 15 years/150,000 miles on MY 2014-2018 Sorento, MY 2014-2016 Cadenza, and MY 2015-2018 Sedona vehicles, all equipped with the 3.3L Lambda engine. The extended warranty coverage includes diagnosis, repair, and applies to customers experiencing engine oil leaking from the engine or if the engine oil pressure warning light stays illuminated after the engine is turned on.After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in NHTSA's possession, testing performed by VRTC, technical information provided by Kia, the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner's allegation, NHTSA does not believe that an engine failure due to the alleged defect is likely and does not warrant a formal investigation. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA?s reasons for denial of the petition will be publi
DP21003 · Throttle Control System Vulnerabilities
Opened Nov 12, 2021 · Closed Jun 20, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:throttle
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003. Accordingly, Model Year (MY) 2005-2016 Kia Optima/K5, MY 2006-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, MY 2006-2015 Hyundai Sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire that can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under reference (ODI) number 11439675.On November 12, 2021, ODI opened Defect Petition DP21-003 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI performed trend analyses of the VOQs related to vehicle speed control issues for all the subject vehicles and found that none of the 52 Model/Model Year Hyundai/Kia vehicles demonstrated any actionable trend that warranted an investigation.Petitioners submitted 1119 VOQs and non-VOQ cases in which sudden uncommanded acceleration (SUA) or loss of motive power (LOMP) incidents were alleged.For the 1119 reports, 220 were incidents involving crashes, from which 69 subject Hyundai-Kia vehicles were inspected by Hyundai/Kia dealer technicians, Hyundai/Kia engineers, and/or third-party representatives.ODI found the inspections identified no vehicle defects related to the ETC system.Of the 220 crash-involved reports, 13 Event Data Recorder (EDR) records were downloaded successfully and 11 of those indicated driver error: (i.e.) pedal misapplication.A condition where the accelerator pedal is mistakenly applied instead of the brake pedal when the driver wants to stop the vehicle.In addition, ODI reviewed a scientific journal paper published in Forensic Science International in 2016 by Mr. Park et al ., as well as related test videos. ODI does not believe there is any evidence of uncontrollable SUA occurrences in any of the tests reviewed. NHTSA's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) reviewed the allegations regarding the potential noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 124.Based on the information provided, the Agency concludes there is insufficient information for us to determine if a possible non-compliance exists.Finally, both Hyundai and Kia informed ODI that all their vehicles manufactured after 2012 were equipped with an ETC management system, in which the engine speed will go to idle when the system sees signals from both the brake pedal and accelerator pedal at the same time; this is commonly known as the brake-throttle override system.After thoroughly assessing the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in NHTSA's possession, information submitted by Hyundai and Kia in response to an Information Request letter, and the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner's allegation, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. After full consideration of appropriate factors, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA?s reasons for denial of the petition will be published.
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