Check engine light intermittently turned on for years. Took to dealership numerous times with no resolution. Was driving and vehicle overheated to the point I thought I was going to catch fire. Pulled over, had towed to dealership. They replaced 51 + parts and spent $15,900 on repairs just to give me back a vehicle that is a lem…
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Check engine light intermittently turned on for years. Took to dealership numerous times with no resolution. Was driving and vehicle overheated to the point I thought I was going to catch fire. Pulled over, had towed to dealership. They replaced 51 + parts and spent $15,900 on repairs just to give me back a vehicle that is a lemon. Car engine Revs louder than before. Terrifying after what was experienced.
NHTSA ODI #11559523
Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 2023
Engine
Engine started to consume oil. I'm now going through a quart or more of oil in a couple hundred miles. Dealerships are aware of an oil consumption issue with kids engines. This needs to be a recall because it can cause engine to sieze while driving or cause a fire.
NHTSA ODI #11558906
Mileage unknown · Jun 14, 2023
Engine
Engine failure. Check engine light illuminated for the first time at 2:30pm on 2/11/23 while traveling at 65mph, light then begins flashing and speed immediately decreased to 25mph on a 2 lane bridge. There was a loud unusual knocking sound coming from the engine that had never been heard prior to the engine going into limp mod…
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Engine failure. Check engine light illuminated for the first time at 2:30pm on 2/11/23 while traveling at 65mph, light then begins flashing and speed immediately decreased to 25mph on a 2 lane bridge. There was a loud unusual knocking sound coming from the engine that had never been heard prior to the engine going into limp mode. I limped the vehicle home at 25mph to find that the oil level was critically low even after adding oil just 3 days prior due to an issue with the vehicle that began consuming an excessive amount of oil following repairs made to the engine by the dealership due to an auto accident in 2022. Information found on kias website stated that the vehicle could be driven while the light is flashing so after limping home and finding the oil had been completely consumed, oil was added to bring it back to the recommended level then it was driven a mile away to auto zone to have the code read. It threw code P1326. The vehicle was then driven back home where just 2 blocks away from home the engine completely seized and would no longer start and had to be towed home. The warranty has run out due to high miles on the vehicle. So the vehicle sits in the driveway with payments still being made and the repairs being too costly to take care of out of pocket.
NHTSA ODI #11526957
Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2023
EngineCrash
I was involved in an accident in February 2022 in which I had auto body damage after hitting a vehicle cutting across an uncontrolled intersection through 3 lanes of traffic where I collided into it going 35mph. On March 22 I began having issues with my car idling high, jumping and running very poorly etc. the other party’s insu…
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I was involved in an accident in February 2022 in which I had auto body damage after hitting a vehicle cutting across an uncontrolled intersection through 3 lanes of traffic where I collided into it going 35mph. On March 22 I began having issues with my car idling high, jumping and running very poorly etc. the other party’s insurance approved the repairs. March 22 My car was towed to the local Kia Dealership where it remained until may 1 due to the parts being on back order. I am unsure of what repairs were completed at that time. The day after I picked my car up I noticed a substance splattered on both sides of my car as well as the hatchback. That same day, I stopped for an oil change at my usual place when they informed me that I have a tremendous amount of oil soaking the rocker panel under my engine. They insured me that everything was put back together all nuts and bolts were in place as they should be. Showed me where the oil measured on the dipstick. A few weeks later, I stopped in for my top off to find that I was 2 quarts low on oil. I had noticed also that there were oil spots all over our driveway where there use to never be. Due to the mileage on my vehicle and reading that this is a common occurrence in vehicles with high miles I made sure I kept a close eye on my oil levels, watched for any warning lights on my vehicle(which never appeared)and never thought much more about it. But as time passes and I get my oil changed I’m always still low on oil. I reached out to the service manager at the dealership to let him know about the leak i now had. He immediately made every attempt to make this my fault. He said that the repairs they made wouldn’t have caused a leak. He was very defensive and not really interested in the concerns I had. Never once did he mention anything about the known issues these vehicles are having which are not caused by the customer. He left me feeling helpless
NHTSA ODI #11508460
Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2023
Engine
About 6 weeks ago, I began to hear a clattering noise occasionally when I would accelerate. It wasn’t constant and I didn’t notice my vehicle driving any differently. So I chalked it up to being bad gas and thought maybe I should add a cleaner the next time I filled up. That seemed to work for a few days and then it was back. In…
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About 6 weeks ago, I began to hear a clattering noise occasionally when I would accelerate. It wasn’t constant and I didn’t notice my vehicle driving any differently. So I chalked it up to being bad gas and thought maybe I should add a cleaner the next time I filled up. That seemed to work for a few days and then it was back. In addition to this not terrible noise, On Saturday February 11th around 2pm, while driving 75mph on the highway, out of nowhere, my check engine light began to flash and I lost speed. From 75mph on a 2 lane down to 25mpb with no shoulder to safely pull over to. I was 15 minutes from home so I continued to drive at the low speed, limping, my way home. Once at home my husband came outside and I explained what had happened. We dug into Google and found the hundreds and hundreds of articles regarding the 2.4GDI engines and the recalls etc. a couple of hours later I drove to Auto Zone to have them read the code for me. P1326 is the code that registered. So back home I went to dig around on the web for more information about what could be wrong with my car. While on my way home, only a mike from Auto Zone, my car completely stalled out. Lights, radio, etc still working the car would not start. My husband came and pulled me being that I had made it just 2 blocks from home. I drive a lot and have racked up the miles, I’m over mileage for my warranty as well as the extended warranty I purchased. Seeing that there have been so many claims denied I’m not sure what I should even do at this point. And if the 2020 were to ever be recalled it could be months before anything is done. I’m at a loss and very frustrated having to deal with this disaster.
NHTSA ODI #11508454
Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2023
Engine
- On four separate occasions, the car failed to start. On all four occasions, it was towed to the Yonkers Kia dealer. It is available for inspection if necessary. - Failure to start jeopardizes my safety as I could be stranded in the wrong neighborhood or situation. - The problem was reproduced on the third tow to the Yonkers Ki…
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- On four separate occasions, the car failed to start. On all four occasions, it was towed to the Yonkers Kia dealer. It is available for inspection if necessary. - Failure to start jeopardizes my safety as I could be stranded in the wrong neighborhood or situation. - The problem was reproduced on the third tow to the Yonkers Kia dealer. - The vehicle has been inspected on for separate occasions by the entire Yonkers Kia service team. - There were no warning lamps, messages or symptoms prior to the failure. The first time the problem occurred was October 4, 2022.
NHTSA ODI #11504165
Mileage unknown · Dec 19, 2022
EngineUnknown Or Other
My engine seized while driving. I had it immediately towed to the local Kia dealership for inspection. The technician found that the oil drain plug was missing and the engine seized needing a complete engine repair for about $14,000. There was no indication from my vehicle that oil pressure was low or that maintenance was req…
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My engine seized while driving. I had it immediately towed to the local Kia dealership for inspection. The technician found that the oil drain plug was missing and the engine seized needing a complete engine repair for about $14,000. There was no indication from my vehicle that oil pressure was low or that maintenance was required. My vehicle only had 23,027 miles on it when it seized and I take my vehicle to be serviced as required. Warranty said that they will not cover the repair for my vehicle for (outside influence) because I did not get my oil change at a Kia Dealership. I have been denied by Kia customer care with every attempt to get my car repaired under warranty and I continue to be denied. I had my oil changed three months prior to the drain plug falling out and I did not need an oil change for another 2000 miles. This is a brand new vehicle with very low mileage and as a Kia customer I am not protected and with the oil drain plug just mysteriously falling out months after oil change. KIA Warranty continues to deny this and I am suffering greatly with no resolution. The oil company assured that a serious check and cross check, in addition to other procedures, are performed on every oil change that they perform. And their certified lube technicians will never use a pneumatic/power tool to tighten oil drain plugs, and it is done manually using a torque wrench to the manufacturer's specified torque. Even with this information Kia Warranty has continued to deny fixing my vehicle for outside influence. I am desperately seeking a resolution.
NHTSA ODI #11497988
23,027 miles · Oct 17, 2022
Engine
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving at 35 MPH, the check engine and the oil pressure warning lights were illuminated, and the engine seized. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact opened the hood and noticed that there was no engine oil in the vehicle though he had completed th…
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The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving at 35 MPH, the check engine and the oil pressure warning lights were illuminated, and the engine seized. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact opened the hood and noticed that there was no engine oil in the vehicle though he had completed the oil change on June 4, 2022. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine oil had leaked due the oil drain plugs missing. The dealer informed the contact that the oil drain plugs may not have been properly tightened during the last oil change. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 23,027.
NHTSA ODI #11489593
19,000 miles · Sep 23, 2022
Engine
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sportage. The contact then stated that on multiple occasions while attempting to accelerate above 25 MPH, the engine revved but the vehicle failed to respond. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the starter needed to be replaced. The vehicl…
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The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sportage. The contact then stated that on multiple occasions while attempting to accelerate above 25 MPH, the engine revved but the vehicle failed to respond. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the starter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the intake boot was torn and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the dealer performed a brief examination. The contact stated that he was provided a case number, but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.
NHTSA ODI #11486028
Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 2022
Electrical SystemEngineFire
My car caught on fire in campground where I was staying. Also burned up 2 other vehicles, my RV was deemed a total loss and it also damaged 2 other campers. There was a fire investigation which was ordered by my insurance and there is another mechanical engineer investigation pending. There was a recall on my car and I had taken…
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My car caught on fire in campground where I was staying. Also burned up 2 other vehicles, my RV was deemed a total loss and it also damaged 2 other campers. There was a fire investigation which was ordered by my insurance and there is another mechanical engineer investigation pending. There was a recall on my car and I had taken it to dealership last year for repair. There was no warning lights.
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.
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.