Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
570–25K
2325–50K
4250–75K
3075–100K
25100–150K
4150K+
181 reports with mileage · 218 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 219 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 62 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
14 crash reports27 fire reports17 injury reports
What owners actually said
399 reports
34,000 miles · Dec 17, 2018
Engine
MY KIA SPORTAGE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A KNOCKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD ON A SATURDAY NIGHT . (DEALERAHIP WAS CLOSED) FIRST THING MONDAY MORNING CALLED KIA DEALER. TOOK INTO DEALER . AFTER THEY CHECKED IT OUT THEY INFORMED MY ENGINE WAS RUINED . HAD METAL SHAVINGS IN IT . AND BECAUSE I DIDNT T…
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MY KIA SPORTAGE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A KNOCKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD ON A SATURDAY NIGHT . (DEALERAHIP WAS CLOSED) FIRST THING MONDAY MORNING CALLED KIA DEALER. TOOK INTO DEALER . AFTER THEY CHECKED IT OUT THEY INFORMED MY ENGINE WAS RUINED . HAD METAL SHAVINGS IN IT . AND BECAUSE I DIDNT TAKE IT INTO THEM OR A PROFESSIONAL TO CHANGE THE OIL(I HAD FAMILY DO IT) MY WARRENTY NO LONGER WILL COVER IT. FOUGHT THIS FOR WEEKS WITH CONSUMER AFFAIRS.. AND GOT NOWHERE . DID SOME RESEARCH AND THE EXACT SAME THING WAS RECALLED IN THE 2015 KIA SPORTAGE .. JUST SEEMS IRONIC THE SAME THING HAPPEND TO MY 2017 SPORTAGE.
NHTSA ODI #11162133
30,000 miles · Nov 29, 2018
Power Train
WITHOUT WARNING THE CAR DROPS OUT OF GEAR, THE ENGINE REVS. YOU HAVE TO TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE GAS FOR THE CAR TO GO BACK INTO DRIVE AND YOU CAN CONTINUE DRIVEING. THIS HAPPENS AT ANY SPEED.
NHTSA ODI #11154737
Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System
FUEL LINE SEEMS TO BE CLOGGED? WHEN I STEP ON THE GAS SOMETIMES THE CAR DOESN'T GO BUT THE RMP'S REV UP. SEEMS LIKE IT WANTS TO STALL OR JUST NO GO. THIS HAPPENS EVEN WHILE JUST DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND THEN GIVING THE CAR GAS TO SPEED UP; NOT JUST AT STOP AND GO;
NHTSA ODI #11143609
63,000 miles · Oct 26, 2018
EngineFuel/propulsion System
DEALING WITH OIL LOSS SINCE LAST YEAR, SINGLE OWNER NEW VEHICLE. FIRST TIME NO OIL TOWED TO FAYETTEVILLE NC KIA WHERE THEY SAID NOTHING WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE I HAD THE OIL CHANGED SOMEWHERE ELSE. I PAID FOR TOW AND REPAIR WHICH BASICALLY INVOLVED ADDING OIL JUMPING BATTERY IN MORNING. THEY SHOULD HAVE KNOWN ABOUT A …
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DEALING WITH OIL LOSS SINCE LAST YEAR, SINGLE OWNER NEW VEHICLE. FIRST TIME NO OIL TOWED TO FAYETTEVILLE NC KIA WHERE THEY SAID NOTHING WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE I HAD THE OIL CHANGED SOMEWHERE ELSE. I PAID FOR TOW AND REPAIR WHICH BASICALLY INVOLVED ADDING OIL JUMPING BATTERY IN MORNING. THEY SHOULD HAVE KNOWN ABOUT A PART RECALL ON THE OIL PAN PER THE KIA FEMALE REPAIR REP AT PINEHURST KIA IN SOUTHERN PINES NC WHERE I HAD IT TOWED TO WHEN BATTERY DIED A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER. AGAIN THEY FOUND NO OIL BUT OIL SPLATTERED UNDERNEATH IN ENGINE AND SPOKE WITH KIA NATIONAL CONSUMER IN CA AT THAT TIME. THEY CONFIRMED THE ISSUE, AND CHANGED OIL AND CALLED FOR PART. RETURNED 2 WEEKS LATER JUST TO HAVE OIL CHECKED AND AGAIN NO OIL. XALLED KIA NATIONAL AGAIN. WAS TOLD TO SELF MANAGE FOR REIMBURSEMENT FROM FAYETTEVILLE NC KIA MANAGER BY DEALING WITH HIM MYSELF. 2 MONTHS OF FAILED CONTACT ATTEMPTS ENSUED. LAST WEEK ON WAY BACK FROM UNC CHILDREN'S ONCOLOGY WITH SON, BRAKES AND STEERING LOCKED UP AGAIN. CLOSE TO ACCIDENT. TOEED TO RONALD MACDONALD HOUSE 0.7 MI AWAY, AGAIN NO OIL. PUT OIL IN. ALSO SMOKE AND SMELL OF BURNING ELECTRICAL SOMETHING FRKM ENGINE FOR SOME TIME. NEXT MORNING PAID TO TOW TO UNIVERSITY KIA CHAPEL HILL. FOUND OUT MY CASE # HAD BEEN ERRONEOUSLY CLOSED. NOW DEALING WITH CASE MANAGER TAMMY WHO I HAVENT BEEN ABLE TO CONTACT. CASE NUMBER NOW IS 12908741. A NEW CAR OBVIOUSLY ACTS THIS WAY WHEN THERE IS A BIG ISSUE AND NOBODY AT KIA WOULD HELP ME. NOW I SIT AT MY SONS BEDSIDE WITH A DEAD 2017 KIA SPORTAGE AT UNIVERSITY KIA WHERE BRANDON IS TRYING TO PUT TOGETHER ALL PAST RECEIPTS. MY SON WAS DX'D LAST MONTH AND NO I DO NOT KNOW WHERE EACH RECEIPT IS, I HAVE BEEN AT THE HOSPITAL MORE THAN AT HOME. I HAVE HAD TO APPLY FOR FMLA FROM MY JOB AS WELL. I EXPECT AN HAVE READ OF MANY ISSUES WITH KIA AND THIS OIL ISSUE AS WELL AS PAST RECALLS. RENTED CAR 10 23 18
NHTSA ODI #11142869
2,000 miles · Sep 2, 2018
Electrical SystemUnknown Or OtherFireInjury
ON SAT MORNING MY SUV CAUGHT FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THIS OCCURRED IN INDIANAPOLIS ON HARDING ST. NEAR THE INTERSTATE EXIT. WE WERE AT A COMPLETE STOP WHEN SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE CAR THEN FLAMES. I GOT MY KIDS AND DOGS OUT. THEN I REALIZED OUR MEDICATIONS WERE IN THERE. I THEN WENT BACK TO TRY TO GRAB THE BAG. I COULDN'T …
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ON SAT MORNING MY SUV CAUGHT FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THIS OCCURRED IN INDIANAPOLIS ON HARDING ST. NEAR THE INTERSTATE EXIT. WE WERE AT A COMPLETE STOP WHEN SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE CAR THEN FLAMES. I GOT MY KIDS AND DOGS OUT. THEN I REALIZED OUR MEDICATIONS WERE IN THERE. I THEN WENT BACK TO TRY TO GRAB THE BAG. I COULDN'T BECAUSE OF HOW FAST IT WENT UP. IN THE PROCESS I ENDED WITH TWO SMALL BURNS AND A SLIGHT ABRASION. THERE WAS NO WARNING. THE SUV HAS BEEN MAINTENANCE AND GIVEN ALL REQUIRED MAINTENANCE. IN FACT IN JUNE IT WAS TAKEN IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE.AND 15000 MILE MAINTENANCE. CURRENTLY IT SUSPECTED THAT THIS WAS ELECTRIC FIRE. I ALSO HAVE A VIDEO OF SOMEONE THAT WAS PASSING BY. THE SUV WAS TOWED BY THE INDIANAPOLIS POLICE DEPARTMENT TO THEIR LOT WERE IT IS CURRENTLY.
NHTSA ODI #11124013
29,000 miles · Aug 24, 2018
Unknown Or Other
MY SPORTAGE ACCELERATES RANDOMLY AND OFTEN WHILE DRIVING OR STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT I'VE TAKEN IT TO KIA AND THE CONTACTED THE KIA NORTH AMERICA A CASE WAS FILED THEY WON'T SEEM TO CARE IF ITS FIXED BC THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE THE ISSUE
NHTSA ODI #11122126
17,000 miles · Aug 22, 2018
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF THE DRIVER. WHILE THE DRIVER WAS AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE WAS T-BONED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BACK AND NECK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT WAS NOT AWARE OF THE OT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF THE DRIVER. WHILE THE DRIVER WAS AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE WAS T-BONED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BACK AND NECK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT WAS NOT AWARE OF THE OTHER DRIVER'S INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DRIVER'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #11121651
22,226 miles · Aug 18, 2018
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
FOR THE LAST 2-3 MONTHS MY CAR HAS BEEN RANDOMLY ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN, DUE TO THIS I WAS RECENTLY (AUG 14, 2018) IN AN AT FAULT ACCIDENT. I HAVE CALLED MY DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES INQUIRING IF THERE HAVE BEEN ANY RECALLS AND THERE HAVEN'T BEEN. I AM CURRENTLY IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT (AUG 18, 2018) HAVING THE PROBLEM LOOKED…
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FOR THE LAST 2-3 MONTHS MY CAR HAS BEEN RANDOMLY ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN, DUE TO THIS I WAS RECENTLY (AUG 14, 2018) IN AN AT FAULT ACCIDENT. I HAVE CALLED MY DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES INQUIRING IF THERE HAVE BEEN ANY RECALLS AND THERE HAVEN'T BEEN. I AM CURRENTLY IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT (AUG 18, 2018) HAVING THE PROBLEM LOOKED AT BUT HAVE BEEN TOLD THEY MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO PIN POINT THE ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #11120776
6,632 miles · Aug 8, 2018
Unknown Or Other
I NOTICE ENGINE LITE ON DASH LIT UP. I ONLY HAVE 6641 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE. I AM PLANNING TO TAKE MY KIA TO MY DEALER TO HAVE THIS ITEM CHECKED OUT ON 9 AUG 18. I WAS DRIVING VEHICLE AT THE TIME. I WAS DRIVING VEHICLE AT THE TIME ON CITU STREET.
NHTSA ODI #11118611
14,000 miles · Jul 13, 2018
Air BagsCrashInjury
I HIT A SMALL DEER AT 73MPH TOTALED MY KIA HEAVY FRONT END DAMAGE HOOD CAME UP AND BUSTED MY WINDSHIELD WHICH CAUSED GLASS TO GET IN MY EYES. NOT ONE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. IT KNOCKED THE BATTERY OUT AND BUSTER THE RADIATOR, HADN'T MADE MY FIRST PAYMENT YET.
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Sportage and Cadenza vehicles. The electrical circuit in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may short-circuit, which can cause a fire in the engine compartment.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace certain fuses in the electrical junction box. Vehicles equipped with an electronic parking brake (EPB) will also receive a HECU software update. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on April 30, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC206.
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.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Sorento vehicles manufactured October 27, 2014, to August 25, 2016, and 2017 Sportage vehicles manufactured December 10, 2015, to August 26, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness that, due to a malfunction of the tow hitch module, may result in the trailer brake lights being constantly illuminated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the trailer tow hitch harness, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC142.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Trailer Hitches
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Sorento vehicles manufactured October 27, 2014, to August 25, 2016, and 2017 Sportage vehicles manufactured December 10, 2015, to August 26, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness that, due to a malfunction of the tow hitch module, may result in the trailer brake lights being constantly illuminated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence: If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the trailer tow hitch harness, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC142.
Electrical System
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Sorento vehicles manufactured October 27, 2014, to August 25, 2016, and 2017 Sportage vehicles manufactured December 10, 2015, to August 26, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness that, due to a malfunction of the tow hitch module, may result in the trailer brake lights being constantly illuminated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence: If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the trailer tow hitch harness, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC142.
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
2
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.
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