NHTSA Complaint #11596208 — 2023 KIA SORENTO PHEV

The wheels provided with the new vehicle are not the correct wheels for the car. On page 639 of the owners manual: "2023 Sorento PHEV OM 10.pdf" Section 9 "Specifications, Consumer information and Reporting safety defects", page 6. The paragraph with title Tires and Wheels, has two tables; "For hybrid vehicle" and "For plug-in hybrid vehicle". The new vehicle was delivered with tires: P235 55R19 101H (listed in the table for hybrid vehicle) The manufacturer specifies P235/55R19 105V for the PHEV. On this same page there is a CAUTION paragraph: "when replacing tires, use the same size originally supplied with the vehicle. Using tires of a different size can damage the related parts of make it work irregullarly." I asked the dealer, Grand Kia of Thornton Colorado, about this. They said that these are the correct tires. I talked to the salesman, who said he called several dealers who agree that the hybrid tires are the same for the PHEV. I opened a case with Kia Care (Case # XXX) who sent me to the dealer to inspect and document the tires. Peak Kia of Colorado Springs points to a section of the manual "Tires and Wheels"; where there is an example of how to read a tire, using P235/55R19 101H as the example. They said this is the evidence that I have the correct tire! Kia said the dealer determines if action is required. the dealer ignores the "Specifications" part of the Owners Manual, which I referred and sent copies to them. I am concerned that the vehicle may have adverse results from the lower load rating and speed rating, which could be a danger to occupants and other cars, in an emergency maneuver or when fully loaded. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)