NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
750 reportsMileage unknown · Sep 18, 2021
Structure
The paint is peeling away on the hood, around windshield. Also the luggage racks paint is peeling off. The hood started as a simple little paint chip then exploded will paint bubbling up then peeling off. Around the windshield started with a crack in the paint them just explored in full paint peeling. I can no longer use a d…
Read full complaint
The paint is peeling away on the hood, around windshield. Also the luggage racks paint is peeling off. The hood started as a simple little paint chip then exploded will paint bubbling up then peeling off. Around the windshield started with a crack in the paint them just explored in full paint peeling. I can no longer use a drivethru car wash . I must hand wash or the Jetta just peel more off. It’s so frustrating cause I strive to take exceptional care of my vehicle.
NHTSA ODI #11433425
Mileage unknown · Sep 3, 2021
Exterior LightingUnknown Or Other
Lowlight beams are very dim. Poor visibility. NHTSA ratings are poor. I’m concerned as to why Kia will not fix the issue. There was no accident but for years I’ve been afraid to drive at night or avoid it. I’ve looked online and see I’m not the only Kia Sorento owner with these concerns. This does make me regret purchasing Kia a…
Read full complaint
Lowlight beams are very dim. Poor visibility. NHTSA ratings are poor. I’m concerned as to why Kia will not fix the issue. There was no accident but for years I’ve been afraid to drive at night or avoid it. I’ve looked online and see I’m not the only Kia Sorento owner with these concerns. This does make me regret purchasing Kia and I tell everyone I know don’t buy this car.
NHTSA ODI #11431669
Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 2021
Power Train
Car jerks into 1st gear when stopping at a light and accelerating. Car gets stuck in 4th gear and will not accelerate until it reaches 4th gear speeds. Very dangerous to be trying to get up to highway speeds and car not wanting to accelerate beyond 10-20mph. Car is not safe to drive. Took to a Kia dealership and they said th…
Read full complaint
Car jerks into 1st gear when stopping at a light and accelerating. Car gets stuck in 4th gear and will not accelerate until it reaches 4th gear speeds. Very dangerous to be trying to get up to highway speeds and car not wanting to accelerate beyond 10-20mph. Car is not safe to drive. Took to a Kia dealership and they said they couldn't replicate. I told them to drive the car more and they were able to replicate, however no check engine light has appeared so Kia dealership is telling me they can't do anything. They told me to keep driving it and bring it in if it gets worse. I do not feel safe driving this vehicle anywhere. Car has 67,000 miles on it and I am the second owner since 10,000 miles. I have done all maintenance that is required/needed all at the dealership.
NHTSA ODI #11431162
Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2021
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number 21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceed…
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number 21V331000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA ODI #11431100
60,000 miles · Aug 30, 2021
Service Brakes, Air
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the ABS, parking brake, and check engine warning lights illuminated, and the instrument cluster gauges were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that a sensor was faulty and needed to be replaced. No further i…
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the ABS, parking brake, and check engine warning lights illuminated, and the instrument cluster gauges were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that a sensor was faulty and needed to be replaced. No further information was available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 60,000.
NHTSA ODI #11431048
Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 2021
Electrical System
almost all of my tire/brake lights are on my dash, dealership said its the speed sensors in my back tires. A week later (with those lights still on) my parking brake light came on while driving and started a dinging noise, parked turned it off and back on the noise had stopped but all lights were still on. dealership said speed …
Read full complaint
almost all of my tire/brake lights are on my dash, dealership said its the speed sensors in my back tires. A week later (with those lights still on) my parking brake light came on while driving and started a dinging noise, parked turned it off and back on the noise had stopped but all lights were still on. dealership said speed sensors arent a serious issue to fix, however, my UVO diagnostics says its my ABS/EBS system. Ive already had a blown engine and now have a lifetime warranty but, they are picking and choosing whats covered and what isnt.
NHTSA ODI #11430819
Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2021
Exterior Lighting
The headlights are very dim on my 2015 Kia Sorento, when compared to other vehicles. They only illuminate about 10 feet in front of the car. They need to be replaced with a stronger bulb as it is dangerous driving at night.
NHTSA ODI #11430312
Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2021
Engine
My 2015 V6 Kia Sorento's engine seized absent any warning on 08/14/21. I was in the car with my dog and 3 young daughters at a stop light. The light turned green and I pushed the gas and the car did not move. It was frozen. I pushed it again and the entire car shut down. I police officer had to push our car out of the way a…
Read full complaint
My 2015 V6 Kia Sorento's engine seized absent any warning on 08/14/21. I was in the car with my dog and 3 young daughters at a stop light. The light turned green and I pushed the gas and the car did not move. It was frozen. I pushed it again and the entire car shut down. I police officer had to push our car out of the way after another motorist called 911. We were stuck. My auto shop said my car had extremely low and dirty oil, despite the fact I had just gotten a $90 synthetic oil change 2 weeks earlier. I had the car towed to Tasca Kia in Rhode Island and they told me the engine was covered under a lifetime warranty. They later called me and told me the recall was only related to V4 engines & denied any problem with V6's. I am learning MANY people have had this same problem. I called KIA Consumer Affairs and they denied the issue and refuse to help. My car was impeccably maintained and had 77,000 miles on it. The dealership told me to "scrap" the car. At the time of the engine seizure there were NO warning lights on and the temperature gauge was in the middle. KIA is refusing to accept responsibility.
NHTSA ODI #11430275
Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2021
Structure
2015 KIA Sorento Paint peeling & chipping away from door pillars, roof where windshield meets, both let & right front fenders, hood. The color is "Snow While Pearl". Started to norice small chipping around 2017 & in April 2019 a large piece peeled off the passenger side front pillar which I had repaired. Many of the chips were t…
Read full complaint
2015 KIA Sorento Paint peeling & chipping away from door pillars, roof where windshield meets, both let & right front fenders, hood. The color is "Snow While Pearl". Started to norice small chipping around 2017 & in April 2019 a large piece peeled off the passenger side front pillar which I had repaired. Many of the chips were touched up but it continues to occur to this day.
NHTSA ODI #11429976
Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 2021
Engine
Bought the vehicle used, from dealership had little over 91,000 miles on vehicle when purchased and purchased extended warranty as well, only had 11months, at little over 109 thousand miles on vehicle noticed white exhaust coming from tail pipe, was having to put oil in the vehicle 1-2 quarts a week. At one time, during a week, …
Read full complaint
Bought the vehicle used, from dealership had little over 91,000 miles on vehicle when purchased and purchased extended warranty as well, only had 11months, at little over 109 thousand miles on vehicle noticed white exhaust coming from tail pipe, was having to put oil in the vehicle 1-2 quarts a week. At one time, during a week, vehicle seemed to be stalling/slow to accelerate, engine sounded different, when got home, checked oil, the dip stick showed barely any oil. Put oil in the vehicle. NO warning light ever has came on about low oil, no warning light about engine has come on. I called local Kia dealership about the issue. Took 2 weeks to get appointment to take my Sorento in to get looked at. Once in the Kia dealership, service department manager says they did an oil consumption test on the engine. Multiple points of the inspection show engine failure. Dealership has more in depth description of what all has failed with the engine and oil consumption. Also had to provide the copies of when and where the vehicle had its regular maintenance such as oil changes done so it could be sent to the Extended warranty to approve engine replacement. My vehicle has been sitting at the dealership since July 20,2021 with no working being done, not even the safety recalls, because I was told engine is on back order. At time writing this it is August 19, 2021, so my sorento has been just sitting at Kia dealership with nothing being done. I have called once a week to Kia dealership, as they have yet to call me for updates. I reached out to Kia customer hotline, they were able to pull up the info on vehicle, find out exactly what part/engine was needed from dealership and shows it back ordered because the engine is coming from Korea to US, No actual ETA on when it will actually be sent/shipped to US to then be sent to dealership to put in my vehicle. Was told it could be months..unacceptable! was never sent any information on possible oil consumption problems or engine problems.
NHTSA ODI #11429724
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.
Illustration