2025 Kia Sportage

VEHICLE: 2025 Kia Sportage X-Line VIN: 5XYK6CDF0SG319130 APPROXIMATE MILEAGE: 34,000 miles DATE OF INCIDENT: September 3, 2026 LOCATION OF INCIDENT: 6140 University Drive, Huntsville, Alabama 35806 COMPONENT: Steering / Motor-Driven Power Steering (MDPS) / Steering Column / Steering Shaft SAFETY ISSUE: Sudden loss of steering control immediately preceding a collision COMPLAINT I am reporting a serious steering-related safety incident involving my 2025 Kia Sportage X-Line, VIN 5XYK6CDF0SG319130. On September 3, 2026, at approximately 34,000 miles, I was operating my vehicle near 6140 University Drive, Huntsville, Alabama 35806, when the steering suddenly became locked/unresponsive immediately before a motor-vehicle collision. The steering malfunction occurred while the vehicle was being operated and immediately preceded the collision. I was unable to properly control the direction of the vehicle as intended. I believe the sudden loss of steering control may have caused or contributed to the collision. VEHICLE OPERATION IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE COLLISION Immediately before the collision: * The engine remained running. * The brakes remained operable. * No EPS or MDPS warning light appeared before the collision. * No EPS/MDPS warning message was observed before the collision. * A low tire-pressure warning did appear. * The steering became locked/unresponsive. * I was unable to maintain the intended steering control of the vehicle. * The vehicle subsequently collided. * After the collision, the steering wheel became operable again. The fact that the steering became operable again after the collision is significant because the malfunction was intermittent or temporary rather than a permanent inability of the steering wheel to move. I am not making a technical determination regarding which steering component failed. I am reporting the observed behavior and requesting that NHTSA investigate the cause. WITNESS AND DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE There is independent corrobora