NHTSA Complaint #10511361 — 2007 KIA SPORTAGE

WHEN DRIVING THROUGH A PUDDLE OF STANDING WATER, THE 'SPLASH' OF WATER THAT ENTERED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUSED THE 'CHARGING' WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, THE ENGINE TO STALL, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF POWER ASSIST TO BOTH STEERING AND BRAKES. THIS HAD NEVER OCCURRED IN ALL MY PREVIOUS YEARS OF OWNERSHIP, BUT HAS RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE. I HAD VEHICLE SERVICED THIS WEEK AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS 'NORMAL' AND RELATED TO THE ALTERNATOR ON THE VEHICLE BEING MOUNTED 'LOW TO THE GROUND'. WELL, THE ALTERNATOR POSITION HAS NOT CHANGED, AND I HAD DRIVEN THROUGH PUDDLES MANY TIMES OVER THE PREVIOUS SIX YEARS WITHOUT INCIDENT. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW OR A DEALERSHIP THAT SIMPLY WAS NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE, BUT LOSS OF BRAKING AND STEERING ASSIST COMPROMISES SAFE OPERATION. *TR