NHTSA Complaint #11176123 — 2006 KIA SEDONA

ON THE MORNING OF THE INCIDENT I DROVE TO WORK (APPROX 25 MILES) AT SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH WITH NO INCIDENT. AFTER PARKING I ENTERED MY WORKPLACE. DURING LUNCH I GOT IN THE VEHICE AND BEGAN TO TRAVEL TO A NEARBY REASTAURANT. I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN THE VHEICLE'S HOOD BECAME UNLATCHED AND OPENED. THE HOOD OPENED WITH SUCH FORCE THAT THE HOOD LIFT STRUT SUPPORTS BROKE, ALLOWING THE HOOD TO OPEN, OVER EXTEND, OBSTRUCT MY VISION, AND STRIKE THE WINDSHIELD. UPON STRIKING THE WINDSHIELD THE GLASS SHATTERED. I SLOWLY PULLED TO A NEARBY PARKING LOT, TOOK A PICTURE WITH MY PHONE,AND CLOSED THE HOOD. I LATER CALLED KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-333-4542 AND REPORTED THE INCIDENT. I WAS GIVEN A CASE NUMBER OF 13015302. I WAS ADVISED TO PROCEED TO AN AUTHORIZED KIA DEALEARSHIP AND BE SEEN FOR NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 16V-389. IF THE LATCH WAS FAULTY, I WAS TOLD THAT KIA WOULD COVER THE COSTS OF REPAIRS. WHEN THE DEALERSHIP WAS CALLED, I WAS ASSURED THAT THERE WERE NOT RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE, WHEN TO THE CONTRARY, I WAS SENT A RECALL DOCUMENT SC134 FROM KIA CASE WORKER, BILLY WELLS. I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. I DROPPED THE VEHICLE OFF FOR THE APPOINTMENT. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 4 HRS THE LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP SERVICED THE VEHICLE AND PRODUCED PAPER WORK STATING THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE EQUIPMENT.