What 181 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Kia Sportage Phev Phev

Update to NHTSA (ODI #11679186) Subject: Update to ODI Complaint #11679186 – Kia America Written Response Body: Dear NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, I am writing to provide an update to my ODI Complaint #11679186 regarding my 2011 Kia Sportage SX (VIN: [XXX] ), which caught fire while I was driving on [XXX]. On August 27, 2025, Kia America issued me a written response (attached). In this letter, Kia explicitly acknowledged: “Preliminary evaluation results show… the fire originated within the engine compartment area.” “The cause was unknown engine oil leaks allowing motor oil to contact hot exhaust surfaces of the engine that led to ignition.” Despite admitting the fire’s cause, Kia refused restitution, stating that the vehicle was “9 years and 163,000 miles outside of warranty.” I request that this letter be added to ODI Complaint #11679186 and considered in your analysis of Kia vehicle fire trends. I believe this documentation is significant in establishing that Kia recognizes the fire hazard but denies responsibility due to warranty expiration, which does not address the broader safety risk. Thank you for your review and for your ongoing work to protect vehicle safety. Respectfully, Daniel McAdams INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11683570

On [XXX], my 2011 Kia Sportage SX (VIN: [XXX] ) caught fire while I was driving. The vehicle rapidly filled with smoke, causing throat and eye irritation from smoke inhalation. My insurance company declared the vehicle a total loss. Kia America (Case #[XXX]) acknowledged the incident and confirmed that a fire inspection would be conducted. The inspection was completed, but Kia has refused to release the findings or determine the cause. On [insert date], Kia denied my claim without explanation, despite the vehicle being a complete loss due to fire. This is a critical safety issue that could have caused severe injury or death. I am requesting NHTSA investigate the cause of the fire and Kia’s handling of post-incident safety reporting. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11679186

The contact owned a 2011 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving at approximately 55 MPH she rolled over a large puddle of water on the roadway. The contact stated that she hydroplaned and she lost control of the vehicle. The contact stated that she drove off of the roadway and down an embankment and rolled over several times before coming to a stop at the bottom of the embankment. The contact was transported by ambulance to a hospital. The contact stated she was diagnosed with a concussion, bruises to both arms, a sprained left ankle, and cuts to her hands and feet. The contact stated that she was conscious when she was removed from the vehicle and noted that only the side air bags had deployed. The driver's front air bag had not deployed. The contact stated that the police were on the scene but was not sure if a report had been written. The contact stated that the vehicle had been towed to an impound lot and declared a total loss by her insurance provider. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

NHTSA ODI 11609590

The contact owned a 2011 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked overnight and next to her home, it was started but the contact left the vehicle in park and on as she retrieved a personal item from inside the home, and upon return, it was discovered that the vehicle caught on fire. The fire department arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. The police arrived on the scene and filed a police report but no information was available. The origin of the fire was unknown. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact recently received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and related the failure to the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

NHTSA ODI 11600476

The contact called on behalf of his girlfriend who owned a 2011 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that his girlfriend parked the vehicle at her driveway residence, and she discovered that the vehicle had caught on fire underneath the front. The fire department was called and the police arrived on the scene later. The fire was extinguished with water. It was unknown if a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot and later was declared a total loss by the insurance company. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. and the contact related the failure to this recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11593090

WAS DRIVING IN CRUZE CRONTROL STEPPED ON THE GAS AND VEHICLE DIED. I PUSHED THE START BUTTON NOTHING BUT A WARNING SIGN ON DASH SCREEN THAT WOULD GO BLANK BEFORE I COULD SEE WHAT IT SAID. I LIFTED THE HOOD AND CHECK THE BATTERY CABLES THEY WERE ON TIGHT GOT BACK IN THE TRUCK PUSH THE BUTTON NOTHING SMELLED WIRES BURNING SEEN SMOKE TOP OF MY MOTORS ON FIRE. I WAS HEADING NORTH ON I-5 NEAR THE DUPONT EXIT.

NHTSA ODI 11279767

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SWERVED AND CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT FRACTURED HIS STERNUM AND RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED DESTROYED BY THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.

NHTSA ODI 11169940

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. DURING EACH FAILURE, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR THROUGH THE VENTILATION SYSTEM. THE CONTACT RECEIVED ASSISTANCE FROM BYSTANDERS AND PUSHED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SCOTT KIA OF SPRINGFIELD (321 BALTIMORE PIKE, SPRINGFIELD, PENNSYLVANIA 19064, (610) 544-0100) WHERE IT WAS INITIALLY DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPON A SECOND ASSESSMENT, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WIRES WERE LOOSE IN THE VEHICLE, AND THAT IT WAS PROBABLE THAT ANIMALS/RODENTS HAD EATEN AWAY AT THE WIRING OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE WIRES WERE BURNT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH CASE NUMBER: 12749312. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 116,000.

NHTSA ODI 11123298

MY CAR WITH 87,942 WELL MAINTAINED MILES ALL OF A SUDDEN BLEW THE ENGINE AND CAUGHT FIRE.RECALL ON CERTAIN MODELS WITH THE SAME YEAR WITH CAM BEARINGS LETTING GO INTERNALLY.I'M STILL CURRENTLY PAYING ON THE VEHICLE.I GOT AHOLD OF KIA NATIONAL MOTORS AND THEY SEEMED LIKE THEY WERE GOING TO HELP ME FIX PROBLEM OR GIVE DECENT TRADE IN VALUE,THAT WAS SIX MONTHS AGO.ONE OF MY CHILDREN NEEDS TO MAKE DOC.APPT. EVERY OTHER WEEKEND.I'M GETTING VERY PERTURBED WITH THE WHOLE SITUATION.THE COMPANY WON'T EVEN LET ME KNOW WHAT THERE DOING,I TOLD THEM JUST LET ME KNOW WHAT YOUR PLANS ARE SO I CAN AT LEAST TAKE A LOSE" WITCH IS REAL CRAPPY" BUT I NEED TO GET A VEHICLE BUT THEY WILL NOT GET AHOLD OF ME

NHTSA ODI 11098876

I WAS DRIVING EAST ON A CITY STREET AT PROBABLY LESS THAN SPEED LIMIT. STREET BECOMES A DOWNWARD HILL WHEN DRIVING EAST , AT THE FIRST INTERSECTION THERE IS A STOPLIGHT. I KNOW THIS INTERSECTION WELL AS I DROVE THAT WAY TO WORK FOR 9 YEARS. I SAW LIGHT AT INTERSECTION WAS RED AND SAW VEHICLES STOPPED FOR RED LIGHT. I STARTED BRAKING IN PREPARATION TO STOP AT APPROPRIATE DISTANCE FROM VEHICLES STOPPED FOR RED LIGHT. MY BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE. IT SEEMED AS THOUGH BRAKES FROZE OR WERE STUCK AND WOULD NOT GO DOWN REGARDLESS OF THE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE I APPLIED. I SCREAMED ?WHY AREN?T THESE STOPPING?? REPEATEDLY AS I SAW AND FELT MY RIGHT FOOT ATTEMPTING TO APPLY THE BRAKES. I HIT A RED PICK UP IN FRONT OF ME. MY AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND SEAT BELT FUNCTIONED APPROPRIATELY BUT I FELT I WAS INJURED. I IMMEDIATELY REACHED FOR MY PHONE AND CALLED 911. FIRE DEPT PERSONNEL ARRIVED QUICKLY AS THEY ARE CLOSE BY. THEY PLACED A COLLAR AROUND MY NECK AND WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO EXIT MY VEHICLE UNTIL EMS ARRIVED TO PUT ME IN AMBULANCE AND TAKE ME TO ER. POLICE OFFICER LATER CAME TO ER WITH MY VEHICLE DOCUMENTS. HE TOLD ME VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND WOULD BE TAKEN TO POLICE IMPOUND LOT. HE SAID HE HAD TO GIVE ME A TRAFFIC TICKET FOR CARELESS DRIVING BECAUSE I HIT VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. HE SAID IT WAS THE LEAST VIOLATION HE COULD CITE ME FOR.VEHICLE TOWED TO COLLISION CENTER WHERE IT REMAINS STORED. I ONLY HAD LIABILITY INSURANCE. I FILED COMPLAINT WITH KIA ABOUT BRAKE FAILURE, PROVIDED PICTURES, COPY OF TRAFFIC TICKET AS REQUESTED, AND PICTURES OF MY SEVERELY BRUISED FOOT. I WAS INFORMED BY KIA REP TODAY THAT THEIR ENGINEERS FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF BRAKE FAILURE IN PICTURES AND I WAS TICKETED FOR CARELESS DRIVING. THEY FOUND NO REASON TO EXAMINE BRAKES. I ASKED FOR COPY OF ENGINEERS REPORT BUT WAS TOLD THEY DID NOT PROVIDE THAT. *BF *TR

NHTSA ODI 11061563

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE STRUCK A PARKED VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BRUISE ON THE KNEE THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A COLLISION CENTER WHERE IT WAS DECLARED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 10936671

I WAS PARK IN THE PARKING GARAGE OF MY WORK PLACE. THE TIME WAS BETWEEN 7:10AM TO7:15AM. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK. I STEPPED OUT OF THE CAR TO GET MY PURSE AND OTHER BAG ON THE GROUND. I LEFT CAR ON CAUSE I WAS LISTENING TO A SONG. I WAS LOOKING FOR AN APP ON MY PHONE TO SEE WHAT SONG WAS PLAYING. I THEN WALKED AROUND TO OTHER SIDE TO GET A BOOK THAT WAS IN PASSENGER SEAT. I WALKED BACK TO DRIVER SIDE STOOD THERE A MINUTE OR TWO STILL SEARCHING FOR APP ON PHONE ALL SUDDEN MY CAR STARTING TO ROLL BACK. I TRIED TO STOP THE CAR BY TRYING TO GET IN CAR TOO FAST DOOR HIT ME KNOCK ME DOWN MY LEGS GOT CAUGHT UNDER DOOR FLIP ME COMPLETELY AROUND. THEN CRASH TO WALL OF THE GARAGE. MY BACK GOT INJURED. MY CAR TAIL GATE GOT DAMAGE. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT COULD OF CAUSE THE CAR TO ROLL WHILE PARKED. THERE IS A LITTLE INCLINE IN THE GARAGE. CALLED KIA CONSUMER PROTECTION. THEY STATED NO RECALL RIGHT NOW PROBLEM. THE RECALL OF SOME SWITCH HAS BEEN FIXED BUT THEY WI. INVESTIGATE. PLEASE SEE IF ANY OTHER OWNER OF A SPORTAGE HAS HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ODI 10863692

WE OWN THE CAR, 2011 KIA SPORTAGE SX T-GDI, FOR LESS THAN 3 MONTHS AND I HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP PRETTY MUCH EVERY OTHER WEEK WITH SOME ISSUES. LAST PROBLEM WE HAD WAS AN ACCELERATOR/SPEED CONTROL WHEN THE CAR WASN'T SHIFTING OR ACCELERATING OVER 25-30 MPH EVEN THE RPM WERE UP TO 6-7X1000, AND I WAS ABLE TO FLOOR THE PEDAL AND KEEP IT THERE, WAS NO SPEED RESPONSE. THE ONLY FIX WAS PULL OVER AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, BUT EVEN AFTER THAT IT COULD TAKE SEVERAL TIMES TO DO THE SAME PROCEDURE.I FINALLY GOT AN APPOINTMENT TO THE DEALERSHIP ON TUESDAY MORNING 11NOV14, PICK IT UP THURSDAY AFTERNOON 13NOV14, THEY SAID I HAD A BAD BATTERY THAT MIGHT CAUSE THE PROBLEM. SO I END UP PAYING FOR A NEW BATTERY AND REPLACING IT, AND AT THE SAME TIME THE DEALERS REPLACED A BRAKE LAMP SWITCH, AND I WAS TOLD EVERYTHING WORKS GREAT. NEXT MORNING ON FRIDAY, SAME ISSUE WITH THE SPEED CONTROL, VEHICLE IS DRIVING UNUSUAL AND ON TOP OF THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CALLED THE DEALERS IMMEDIATELY THEY SAID IF THE LIGHT IS NOT FLASHING ITS SAFE TO DRIVE AND THERE ARE NO APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE UNTIL MONDAY 17NOV14. SUNDAY DRIVING AROUND THE CAR HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS ALL DAY LONG AND THAT EVENING COMING HOME AFTER FILLED UP THE TANK, AT ABOUT 25MPH SPEED CONTROL WAS GIVING ME A HARD TIME AND SHIFTING AT A VERY DELAYED TIMES OR NOT SHIFTING AT ALL, APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION TRIED TO STOP AND THE BRAKE SEIZED FIRST COUPLE TIMES, ACCELERATING INSTEAD OF STOPPING, AND WHEN ALREADY ENTERING THE INTERSECTION BEING SLIPPERY I WAS ABLE TO DO A SLIGHTLY LEFT SLIDING ON THE WET ROAD AFTER BRAKES FINALLY ENGAGED BUT WAS TO LATE TO AVOID THE COLLISION WITH ANOTHER CAR WHICH HAD THE RIGHT OF WAY. SAME PROBLEM, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, CAR NOT WORKING PROPERLY, THE DEALER'S SERVICE SAID ITS GOOD TO GO! SAFE AND DRIVE-ABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10660303

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT RAN A RED LIGHT AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

NHTSA ODI 10659322

THE CAR WAS NOT RUNNING AND SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT FROM UNDER THE DASH ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. I POPPED THE HOOD AND THERE WAS NO SMOKE PRESENT UNDERNEATH. THE CAR THEN STARTED ITSELF WITH NO KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE BACK REAR LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE REAR WINDOW WIPER STARTED GOING. AFTER ABOUT FIVE MINUTES THE CAR SHUT ITSELF OFF. THE SMOKE WAS GETTING WORSE. THE RADIO WAS TURNED ON AND AGAIN THERE WAS NO KEY IN THE IGNITION. I HAD TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THEY DISCONNECTED MY CAR BATTERY ALONG WITH SPRAYING WATER ON THE FUSE PANEL TO GET IT TO STOP SMOKING. AT THAT TIME I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE FUSE PANEL WHICH STARTED THE INCIDENT. I WAS TOLD BY THE TOW COMPANY THAT MY VEHICLE WAS THE FOURTH KIA SPORTAGE THAT THEY HAD TO TOW FOR THE EXACT SAME REASON, A SHORT IN THE FUSE PANEL. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10531503

TL*THE CONTACT PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 2011 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SIDE REAR PASSENGER DOOR PROTRUDED OUTWARD DUE TO THE ANGLE AND IT CAUSED THE DOOR TO HIT HIM IN THE FACE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A SWOLLEN NOSE AND LOST A LARGE AMOUNT OF BLOOD. THE DEALER ALLOWED THE CONTACT TO TRADE IN THE VEHICLE FOR A NEW ONE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NO LIABILITY FOR THE INCIDENT AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1300. UPDATED 05/16/11 *BF UPDATED 2/8/12 *CN

NHTSA ODI 10395801