NHTSA Complaint #11509414 — 2018 KIA SORENTO

Catastrophic engine failure with no signal or warning from the car after being well maintained for 5 years. This occurred while driving 60 mph on a desolate stretch of VT highway while on a trip from our home in NJ. Engine died with no warning and we coasted to a dangerous narrow shoulder of RT 9 and were almost killed by a truck. We also had no cell reception to even call for help. The engine then started to smoke and burn and I was forced to put my two children out on a snowy embankment for 30 minutes risking hypothermia. We bought this 2018 Sorento new and only discovered the vast extent of Kia’s engine defect after this experience on 2/22/23. I am in complete awe and shock that your agency has allowed them to continue putting people in grave danger. I want to understand how Kia is not applying a more exhaustive effort to notify customers and rectify a deadly product defect that they are well aware of. I would like to direct your agency to a very active Facebook page called “Engine Failure - Kia” that contains a plethora of stories just like ours. This company does not care about the safety of families, nor do they have any interest in making this right. In an effort to reduce the expense of their deadly mistake, they choose to victimize their customers again by declining valid claims for an engine replacement if all service documentation is not available. They are fully aware of their responsibility and choose to act like corporate criminals. It is up to agencies like the NHTSA to address this behavior and prevent further injury and death.