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2015 Kia Sorento

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Sorento years

Owner complaints for the 2015 Kia Sorento are substantially higher than the model-year median of 242.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

341 reports with mileage · 409 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 360 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 100 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 91 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

20 crash reports14 fire reports13 injury reports

What owners actually said

750 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2019
Electrical SystemUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

CAR SHUT OFF REPEATEDLY IN THE MIDDLE OR DRIVING AND THE CAR SHAKES.THE CAR WILL NOT GO OVER 60 WHILE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11190183

92,000 miles · Mar 14, 2019
Engine

I TOOK MY CAR IN TO A KIA DEALERSHIP RECENTLY FOR PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE, AND BECAUSE I NOTICED THAT IT WAS NOT DRIVING AS SMOOTHLY AS USUAL. I WAS TOLD THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR, BUT, THERE WAS A PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN FOR WHICH SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED ON MY VEHICLE. APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH LATER, I WAS OUT O…

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I TOOK MY CAR IN TO A KIA DEALERSHIP RECENTLY FOR PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE, AND BECAUSE I NOTICED THAT IT WAS NOT DRIVING AS SMOOTHLY AS USUAL. I WAS TOLD THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR, BUT, THERE WAS A PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN FOR WHICH SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED ON MY VEHICLE. APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH LATER, I WAS OUT OF TOWN IN MY VEHICLE, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH, THE RPMS WENT DOWN, THE TRANSMISSION APPEARED TO SLIP, AND THE CAR WAS ESSENTIALLY DISABLED. THE KIA SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT I BROUGHT IT TO EXPLAINED TO MY HUSBAND THAT THE "PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN" -- WHERE THE SOFTWARE WAS ADDED TO MY VEHICLE WAS DUE TO THE FACT THAT KIA KNOWS THAT THE ENGINES HAVE ISSUES, AND MAY HAVE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE EARLY, AND BECAUSE OF THIS, THEY HAVE DESIGNED SOMETHING TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN A 'LIMP HOME MODE', SO THAT IT IS NOT FURTHER DAMAGED. BECAUSE THIS HAS NOT BEEN CALLED A RECALL -- EVEN THOUGH KIA HAS FULL KNOWLEDGE OF ENGINE ISSUES -- A VAST MAJORITY OF KIA OWENERS OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES HAVE NOT HAD THIS SOFTWARE UPDATE, AND ARE AT RISK OF THEIR ENGINE FAILING AT HIGH SPEEDS, ENDANGERING THEMSELVES, THEIR FAMILIES, AND OTHERS. THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE. ADDITIONALLY, JUST REPLACING THE ENGINES IS NOT ENOUGH, THESE VEHICLES NEED TO BE COMPLETELY RECALLED. MANY ARE STILL BEING FINANCED, AND OWNERS OWE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON VEHICLES THAT WILL HAVE TO CARRY A SALVAGE TAG, AND BE WORTH PENNIES ON THE DOLLAR DUE TO HAVING AN ENGINE THAT IT WAS NOT MANUFACTURED WITH. PLEASE HOLD KIA ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR IRRESPONSIBILITY, AND CONSUMER FRAUD.

NHTSA ODI #11186804

101,333 miles · Mar 11, 2019
Engine

ON 3/10/2019, I WAS OUT OF TOWN, DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY CAR LOST SPEED, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR SHUT DOWN AND WOULDN'T START BACK UP. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO NEAR BY SHOP AND HAD TO FIND A WAY BACK HOME, WHICH WAS 2 HOURS AWAY. ON 3/11/2019, SHOP STATED THAT MY ENGINE HAD FROZE. HE COULD UNDERSTAND WHY ENGINE FROZE…

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ON 3/10/2019, I WAS OUT OF TOWN, DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY CAR LOST SPEED, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR SHUT DOWN AND WOULDN'T START BACK UP. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO NEAR BY SHOP AND HAD TO FIND A WAY BACK HOME, WHICH WAS 2 HOURS AWAY. ON 3/11/2019, SHOP STATED THAT MY ENGINE HAD FROZE. HE COULD UNDERSTAND WHY ENGINE FROZE BECAUSE IT HAD OIL AND I WASN'T DUE FOR AN OIL CHANGE UNTIL ANOTHER 800 MILES. SHOP OWNER INFORMED ME THAT HE HAVE HAD 3 OTHER CUSTOMERS WITH THE SAME MAKE AND YEAR WHO CAR DID THE SAME THING. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO KIA ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS FOR EVO SYSTEMS READING PROBLEM WITH SYSTEM AND TOLD THEM THAT I HEARD A KNOCKING AND SHAKING IN MY ENGINE. I HAVE READ ABOUT SEVERAL OTHER CASE SIMILAR ONLINE. CLEARLY THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINES IN THE 2015 KIA SORENTO THAT YOU ALL AREN'T WILLING TO INVESTIGATE OR ADMIT TOO

NHTSA ODI #11186008

132,000 miles · Mar 10, 2019
Engine

WHILE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING 70 MPH ON INTERSTATE, ENGINE CUT OFF. SUBSEQUENT MECHANIC EVALUATION WAS ENGINE IS INTERNALLY DAMAGED AND REQUIRES REPLACEMENT

NHTSA ODI #11185666

91,000 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

77,000 miles · Mar 4, 2019
Exterior Lighting

HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT COME ON. ONE WILL FLICKER ON EACH TIME THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH IS TURNED ON BUT WILL THEN SLOWLY GO OUT. NO HEADLIGHTS IS A SAFETY ISSUE! THE KEY FOB ALSO HAS INTERMENTENT DISFUNCTION LIKE THE BATTERY IS GOING OUT BUT IT IS NEW BATTERY. I HAVE READ OTHER COMPLAINTS WITH SAME ISSUES. HEADLIGHT ISSUE WITH BAD CONN…

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HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT COME ON. ONE WILL FLICKER ON EACH TIME THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH IS TURNED ON BUT WILL THEN SLOWLY GO OUT. NO HEADLIGHTS IS A SAFETY ISSUE! THE KEY FOB ALSO HAS INTERMENTENT DISFUNCTION LIKE THE BATTERY IS GOING OUT BUT IT IS NEW BATTERY. I HAVE READ OTHER COMPLAINTS WITH SAME ISSUES. HEADLIGHT ISSUE WITH BAD CONNECTORS FOR THIS MAKE MODEL AND YEAR HAVE BEEN RECALLED BUT FOR SOME REASON DOESN'T INCLUDE MY CARS VIN. NEEDS TO BE FURTHER INVESTIGATED TO INCLUDE MORE VIN.

NHTSA ODI #11184231

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

62,000 miles · Feb 23, 2019
Exterior Lighting

MY COMPLAINT IS THE LOW BEAM ON MY 2015 KIA SORENTO HAS VERY POOR VISIBILITY AND BURNS OUT TOO FREQUENTLY. MY LOCAL KIA DEALER DOESN'T EVEN CARRY THE REPLACEMENT BULB FOR THIS VEHICLE. TOLD ME TO GO BUY IT AT WALMART, WHICH I DID. HOWEVER, ONE BURNED OUT WITHIN 4 MONTHS (I CHANGED BOTH AT THE SAME TIME PER RECOMMENDATION). BOUGH…

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MY COMPLAINT IS THE LOW BEAM ON MY 2015 KIA SORENTO HAS VERY POOR VISIBILITY AND BURNS OUT TOO FREQUENTLY. MY LOCAL KIA DEALER DOESN'T EVEN CARRY THE REPLACEMENT BULB FOR THIS VEHICLE. TOLD ME TO GO BUY IT AT WALMART, WHICH I DID. HOWEVER, ONE BURNED OUT WITHIN 4 MONTHS (I CHANGED BOTH AT THE SAME TIME PER RECOMMENDATION). BOUGHT REPLACEMENT AGAIN (COST $37.00) AND BEFORE I HAD A CHANCE TO REPLACE THE OTHER ONE BURNED OUT. I THINK THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO THE POOR VISIBILITY (LOW LUMENS) AND FREQUENT BURN OUT. CAN YOU OFFER ANY ADVICE? THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI #11182091

Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2019
Unknown Or Other

MY KEY FOB WAS SOUNDING LIKE THE DOORS LOCKED BUT THE CAR HEADLIGHTS DID NOT FLASH OR HORN SOUND TO SIGNAL THE CAR WAS LOCKED/SECURITY FEATURE. THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BATTERY IN THE FOB, AND LET IT BE AS THAT. TODAY MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP BECAUSE I WAS IN THE REAR SEATS THIS WEEK AND NOTICED THE BACK DRI…

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MY KEY FOB WAS SOUNDING LIKE THE DOORS LOCKED BUT THE CAR HEADLIGHTS DID NOT FLASH OR HORN SOUND TO SIGNAL THE CAR WAS LOCKED/SECURITY FEATURE. THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BATTERY IN THE FOB, AND LET IT BE AS THAT. TODAY MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP BECAUSE I WAS IN THE REAR SEATS THIS WEEK AND NOTICED THE BACK DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER DOOR WAS NOT LOCKING. I HAD TROUBLE GETTING OUT TOO. THIS EXPLAINS WHY THE CAR HORN DID NOT BEEP NOR THE HEADLIGHTS FLASH, AS IT WAS NOT A LOCKED CAR, THERE IS A ISSUE AND THE CAR IS NOT SECURE, THAT IS WHY IT DID NOT BEEP. IT WILL SOUND LIKE THE DOORS LOCKED AND UNLOCKED BUT AT THIS TIME IT IS JUST THIS ONE DOOR THAT WILL NOT LOCK. IT IS NOT UNDER THE KIA WARRANTY NOW AND IT WAS NOTED, PER THIS TECH TODAY, THAT WHEN I FIRST MENTIONED THE KEY OR FOB ISSUE WAS AFTER THE REGULAR WARRANTY TOO. I SEE ONLINE LOTS OF COMSUMER COMMENTS ABOUT KIA DOOR LOCK ISSUES. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS SHOULD BE A MAJOR RECALL. NOW I HAVE TO PAY ABOUT $280.00 FOR THIS ONE DOOR LOCK. AND PRAY THIS TAKES CARE OF IT

NHTSA ODI #11181981

Official recalls

3

21V331000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

May 10, 2021

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles previously recalled under recall 20V-519. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An electrical short in the HECU increases the risk of a fire while parked or driving.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. Dealers will install a new multi-fuse, and inspect the HECU for leaks, replacing the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 2, 2021. This recall supersedes previous NHTSA recall number 20V-519. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC212.

20V519000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Aug 27, 2020

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the HECU short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the HECU for leaking brake fluid and replace the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. The recall began October 20, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC197.

18V907000 · Engine; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Dec 19, 2018

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Engine

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.

Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.

Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.

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

4

AQ23002 · 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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