NHTSA Complaint #10289397 — 2009 KIA RONDO

WATER/MUD GETS INTO ENGINE COMPARTMENT DURING HEAVY RAIN. A DAY AFTER DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN, I OPENED THE HOOD, AND THE RIGHT (PASSENGER) SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS COVERED WITH A LAYER OF MUD. THIS INCLUDED THE ENGINE, WIRING, AND MOST ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. I HAVE NEVER, IN 37 YEARS AND NEARLY ONE MILLION MILES OF DRIVING, HAD THIS SORT OF INTRUSION INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF ANY VEHICLE I HAVE OWNED. OUR FEAR IS NOT ONLY THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ELECTRICAL FIRE, BUT OF THE SLOW FAILURE OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS, CAUSING SERIOUS PROBLEMS, INCLUDING FIRE, IN THE FUTURE. THE KIA DEALERSHIP TOLD ME TO TALK TO THE FACTORY REP, WHICH I DID ON OR ABOUT 7/30/09. THE REPS REPLY WAS A STANDARD 'DON'T WORRY ABOUT'. HE SAID ALL SHIELDS WHERE IN PLACE, AND HE WOULD HAVE THE SERVICE DEPT CLEAN IT UP FOR ME AND APPLY A HEAVY COAT OF SILICONE SPRAY TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I SEE THIS AS A BAND-AID TO A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS FIRE PROBLEM. *TR