NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
160 reports10,500 miles · Jul 19, 2021
Service Brakes, HydraulicFire
The contact owned a 2020 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at 75 MPH, he and his wife began to smell a fuel odor emitting from the vehicle without warning. Soon after smelling the fuel, a flame had ignited from the engine as a dark, black smoke began to emit from the vehicle. The contact immediately pulled over…
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The contact owned a 2020 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving at 75 MPH, he and his wife began to smell a fuel odor emitting from the vehicle without warning. Soon after smelling the fuel, a flame had ignited from the engine as a dark, black smoke began to emit from the vehicle. The contact immediately pulled over and both he and his wife exited the vehicle as the vehicle became engulfed in flames. The authorities were called to the scene and the fire department was able to extinguish the fire. A police and fire report was filed. No injuries were reported at the scene. The vehicle was towed to an independent scrap yard as it had been completely destroyed by the fire. Three weeks after the failure, the contact received a call from the dealer where he purchased the vehicle that there was a recall on the vehicle for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V137000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). The contact informed the dealer of the failure with his vehicle and the dealer hung up the phone. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and had received no assistance. The vehicle was a total loss. The failure mileage was 10,500.
NHTSA ODI #11425420
Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2021
Unknown Or Other
I was driving my Sportage home one night when about a mile away. The car suddenly dropped in power and the car barely moved. I couldn't get it to go any faster than 25 mpg. CAUSE UNKNOWN. It was late so I got it home but it had to be towed out to the Kia dealer. When I checked on it the next week, they told me they didn…
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I was driving my Sportage home one night when about a mile away. The car suddenly dropped in power and the car barely moved. I couldn't get it to go any faster than 25 mpg. CAUSE UNKNOWN. It was late so I got it home but it had to be towed out to the Kia dealer. When I checked on it the next week, they told me they didn't have it in their system and blamed the tow company. "The keys were given to the "big guy in the office out front." The tow person told me. I haven't been able to get any information other than " if I want to walk the lot and find it , they would see about putting it in line. "
NHTSA ODI #11424742
Mileage unknown · Jun 1, 2021
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V137000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the …
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The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V137000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA ODI #11419236
Mileage unknown · May 26, 2021
Unknown Or Other
I need Your clearance to return this vehicle after acknowledge the dangerous safety issue thru a letter from Kia Motors Inc. It's a Recall, the manufacture had a duty to create a vehicle that was safe for use. the law provides the manufacturer with three options for remedying the defect: repair, replacement, or refund. The repla…
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I need Your clearance to return this vehicle after acknowledge the dangerous safety issue thru a letter from Kia Motors Inc. It's a Recall, the manufacture had a duty to create a vehicle that was safe for use. the law provides the manufacturer with three options for remedying the defect: repair, replacement, or refund. The replacement option is not provided to me, means my right have been violated by Kia.
NHTSA ODI #11418699
Mileage unknown · May 25, 2021
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V137000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. An unknown dealer was co…
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The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sportage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V137000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. An unknown dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. the contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA ODI #11418530
530 miles · Apr 22, 2021
Electrical SystemForward Collision AvoidanceUnknown Or Other
THE SCREEN IN CAR GOES COMPLETELY BLANK AND WILL NOT GO BACK ON TILL YOU TURN CAR BACK ON. BLIND SPOT WARNING DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK ON HIGHWAY COLLISION LIGHT COMES ON WHEN THERE ISN'T ANYONE IN FRONT OF YOU BACKROADS AND HIGHWAY.
NHTSA ODI #11413445
3,000 miles · Apr 20, 2021
Visibility/wiper
REAR HATCH WINDOW SHATTERED ON BUMPER CONTACT WITH A CLOSED GARAGE DOOR FROM 6 INCHES. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE ALUMINUM GARAGE DOOR AND NO MARK ON THE REAR BUMPER. CAR WAS PUT IN REVERSE WITH FOOT ON BRAKE. CAR IDLED INTO DOOR WHEN FOOT WAS REMOVED FROM BRAKE PEDAL.
NHTSA ODI #11413098
Mileage unknown · Apr 15, 2021
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V137000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO STERLING KIA (197 N. EARL RUDDER FWY, BRYAN, TX 77802) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AV…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V137000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO STERLING KIA (197 N. EARL RUDDER FWY, BRYAN, TX 77802) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA ODI #11408279
1,500 miles · Apr 13, 2021
StructureUnknown Or Other
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ON A CLEAR DAY WITH NO CARS AROUND ME WHEN MY SUNROOF EXPLODED. THE GLASS WAS DEFECT AND THE MANUFACTURE ISN'T TRYING TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY. THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT CONFIRM HOW THE DENIAL WAS DETERMINED NOR WILL THEY PRODUCE A FORMAL DENIAL LETTER. THE BIGGEST ISSUE IN MY OPINION IS I DON'T EV…
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I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ON A CLEAR DAY WITH NO CARS AROUND ME WHEN MY SUNROOF EXPLODED. THE GLASS WAS DEFECT AND THE MANUFACTURE ISN'T TRYING TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY. THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT CONFIRM HOW THE DENIAL WAS DETERMINED NOR WILL THEY PRODUCE A FORMAL DENIAL LETTER. THE BIGGEST ISSUE IN MY OPINION IS I DON'T EVEN THINK KIA LOOKED AT THE PHOTOS BECAUSE WHEN I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP FOR THEM (BECAUSE IT'S NEEDED FOR A CLAIM WITH KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS) I WAS TOLD THEY DIDN'T HAVE THEM. WHEN I ASKED THE BODY SHOP HOW THEY PROVIDED THEM TO THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD BY TEXT. I OPENED A CASE WITH KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS BUT THEY HAVE YET TO REACH OUT TO ME AND THE CASE HAS BEEN OPEN FOR 34 DAYS NOW. I WAS TOLD BY A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP THEY KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS USUALLY TAKES 3DAYS TO REACH OUT.
NHTSA ODI #11407829
12,500 miles · Apr 6, 2021
Electrical System
I WAS DRIVING AND I BEGAN SMELLING A BURNING SMELL WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES. THE SMELL HAS GOTTEN STRONGER AND NOT GONE AWAY. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP AFTER FINDING OUT THERE WAS RECALLS ON VEHICLE THAT WERE MY MAKE AND MODEL AND THE RECALL DESCRIBED EXACTLY WHAT WAS HAPPENING. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT HELPFUL. THEY SA…
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I WAS DRIVING AND I BEGAN SMELLING A BURNING SMELL WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES. THE SMELL HAS GOTTEN STRONGER AND NOT GONE AWAY. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP AFTER FINDING OUT THERE WAS RECALLS ON VEHICLE THAT WERE MY MAKE AND MODEL AND THE RECALL DESCRIBED EXACTLY WHAT WAS HAPPENING. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT HELPFUL. THEY SAID THEY HAD NOT GOTTEN A RECALL ON MY SPECIFIC CAR YET AND THOUGH THEY COULD DETECT AN 'ODOR' THEY WEREN'T CERTAIN WHAT IT WAS FROM AND LITERALLY TOLD ME TO NOT PARK INDOORS. AND IF MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE TO EXIT QUICKLY. I ALSO CALLED KIA AND THEY TOLD ME THE SAME THING AND THAT I COULD TRY ANOTHER PLACE FOR A SECOND OPINION. I TOLD THEM THERE WAS A RECALL AND MY FUSES NEEDED TO BE CHECKED. NO ONE WANTED TO HELP ME.
NHTSA ODI #11406620
NHTSA investigations
2AQ23002 · 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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