NHTSA Complaint #11184413 — 2017 KIA SPORTAGE

DECEMBER 2018 RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM KIA THAT THE COMPANY WAS CONDUCTING A PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN TO PERFORM A SOFTWARE UPDATE ON ALL 2016-2018 MY SPORTAGE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.4L GASOLINE DIRECT INJECTION AND 2.0L TURBOCHARGED ENGINES TO PROTECT THE ENGINE FROM EXCESSIVE CONNECTING ROD BEARING DAMAGE. UPDATE WAS TO BE DONE FREE OF CHARGE AND WOULD ONLY INVOLVE THE ADDITION OF NEWLY DEVELOPED COMPUTER SOFTWARE FOR THE ECU. ON JANUARY 3RD 2019 I HAD THE UPDATE COMPLETED AT THE KIA DEALERSHIP FROM WHERE THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN LEASED. APPROXIMATELY 15 MILES AFTER LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP THE VEHICLE WENT INTO "LIMP MODE", RESTRICTING THE ENGINES RPM'S AND ACCELERATION. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF THE ROADWAY AND CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS INFORMED TO RETURN WITH THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. ONCE AT THE DEALERSHIP I WAS INFORMED THAT AN ADDITIONAL WIRE HARNESS WOULD NEED INSTALLED AND REPAIRS WOULD BE COMPLETED WITHIN ONE DAY. JUST PRIOR TO LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP I WAS INFORMED THAT KIA WAS INSTRUCTING THE DEALERSHIP IT WOULD BE NECESSARY FOR THE ENTIRE ENGINE BE REPLACED. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT THE VEHICLE ON HAD 5800 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. I HAVE BEEN WAITING IN EXCESS OF TWO MONTHS FOR THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP CAN GET NO FURTHER INFORMATION FROM KIA AS TO WHEN THE ENGINE WILL BE DELIVERED. I HAVE CONTACTED KIA 3 TIMES AND SPOKE WITH REPRESENTATIVES THAT ARE UNABLE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON ENGINE DELIVERY. I WAS TOLD ON LAST CALL THAT A ELEVATED CASE MANAGER WAS ASSIGNED AND WAS GIVEN HIS DIRECT LINE. ON 3/5/2018 I ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT THE CASE MANAGER AND LEFT I MESSAGE ON VOICEMAIL. I HAVE NOT BEEN RE-CONTACTED AS OF THIS WRITING. I AM ALSO STILL MAKING THE LEASE PAYMENT ON THE VEHICLE AND OBVIOUSLY INSURING THE VEHICLE.