NHTSA Complaint #11671227 — 2016 KIA SEDONA

In October 2024 we broke down on the highway outside of DesMoines, IA. The van slowed considerably in the midst of 11am traffic on I [XXX] from a lack of power, not from applying the brakes. Cars behind us had no warning, but no one hit us. The 4-way flashers and turn signals would not engage. There was no warning from the dashboard of a pending issue. Trent’s Garage in Clive, IA determined the main reason was an internal oil leak that damaged the alternator, which they replaced along with the right-side valve cover gasket. There was an earlier incident that I attributed to a service mistake. Shortly after Napleton Elmhurst Kia in IL serviced the vehicle in June 2023, it began to hesitate and become unresponsive while we were driving. There was no indication from the dash lights or from our garage floor that the engine was leaking any fluids or was low on oil, but I checked the oil at a suggestion from my wife. It barely registered on the dipstick. I added oil and the van ran fine. I now monitor the oil level regularly and add a quart of oil every 1000 miles. There is still no visible oil leak. Napleton Kia Service told me nothing could be done short of replacing the engine, and that I should change the oil more frequently (April 2025) than their original recommendation of every 5000 miles. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)