NHTSA Complaint #11082031 — 2015 KIA SPORTAGE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THERE WAS A POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE AS ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE ENGINE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND THEN EXPLODED. THE CONTACT STATED NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED AS THEY WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE SAFELY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOWING LOT AND DESTROYED. THE CONTACT CALLED KIA OF CERRITOS DEALERSHIP ((562) 860-2424 LOCATED AT 18201 STUDEBAKER RD, CERRITOS, CA 90703) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL AND DID NOT OFFER FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.