NHTSA Complaint #11580012 — 2018 KIA SPORTAGE

I bought a vehicle from a dealership in 2021. The dealership sold me a 2018 Kia Sportage. To their knowledge, they state they were unaware of any safety recalls. However, fast-forward to [XXX]. As I was entering a busy street (with my two young children in the car (both under the age of 5) and going up a hill, the oil light flashed once and then stayed on, I noticed the vehicle decelerating, as I tried to pull over, making way for vehicles to go around, all three (oil, battery and check engine) lights appear in my dashboard. After one failed attempt of restarting vehicle, I knew I needed to call a tow truck. Thankfully my mom wasn't too long to execute the rescue (it was about 32 outside). The vehicle was towed to the dealership I had purchased it from (NOT a certified Kia dealership mind you). I was told later on that day, that it was a good possibility my engine has blown. I was told the service technician had put over 3.5 qtrs. in order for it to register on the dipstick. I was also told they could replace said engine for a whopping $10,000. Which, the vehicle is only worth $2,000 more than the cost of the motor replacement. I decided to have the vehicle towed to a certified Kia dealership. Where, alas, the engine was in fact, blown. However, per the service manager, the blown engine was due to a recall (XXX) which was in effect as of 1/19/19 (before I bought said vehicle). Per the service manager a vehicle should not be sold with an active safety recall. I then relayed that information to the gentleman who said the vehicle and was told it was illegal for them to work on a vehicle that they are not certified to service (although I had the option for them to replace the engine). I then begin the battle of who is responsible. And ultimately told by the manager of dealership, 70% of the used vehicles they sell have active safety recalls that they do not fix. Nor do they send them to be serviced and checked by the appropriate personnel. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U