NHTSA Complaint #10991353 — 2014 KIA SORENTO

I PICKED UP THE CAR ON APRIL 28TH FROM MONROEVILLE KIA FOR SOME WARRANTY WORK ON THE OIL PAN AND TIMING BELT COVER. ABOUT AN HOUR LATER, THE CAR STARTED SMOKING AND I COULD SMELL OIL BURNING. I WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALERSHIP TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK TO THEM. I TURNED AROUND AND STARTED HEADING BACK THERE. I MADE IT ABOUT A MILE WHEN THE GAS PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND COMPLETELY LOST POWER AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I PUT MY FLASHERS ON AND COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHEN THE CAR CAME TO A STOP, I NOTICED FLAMES CREEPING UP BETWEEN THE HOOD AND THE WINDSHIELD. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, SHUT THE CAR OFF AND REMOVED THE KEYS, AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR. WITHIN 30 SECONDS OR SO THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. I HAD ALREADY STARTED CALLING 911 TO REPORT THE FIRE. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT SHOWED UP WITHIN 6 MINUTES, BUT THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE CAR WAS ON THE SIDE OF A MAIN ROAD. THE CAR WAS TOWED AS PER MY CAR INSURANCE COMPANY AND THEY WERE SENDING AND INVESTIGATOR TO LOOK TO DETERMINE A CAUSE. THE CAR WAS A COMPLETE LOSS, INCLUDING EVERYTHING INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THIS INCLUDED KIDS SPORTS EQUIPMENT, TOYS, CAR SEATS, CLOTHES, BOWLING EQUIPMENT, ETC. THE ONLY THING THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE IN 3.5 WEEKS IS THAT THE FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I'M UNSURE IF THIS HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE CURRENT RECALL OF 17V224000 DEALING WITH THE MOTOR AT THIS TIME. I'M AWAITING WORD FROM KIA MOTORS INC. ABOUT ANY INVESTIGATION THEY MAY WANT TO DO.