Catastrophic engine fire and vehicle explosion
Documented fatal crash; steering wheel detached, striking the driver's seat
Check engine light: On
The driver noticed black smoke from the floorboard with a burning-plastic smell and a battery warning light, exited the vehicle, and it then exploded violently — the front section detonated onto the windshield and the steering wheel detached, striking the driver's-side seat. The vehicle's VIN was included in the applicable recall (Campaign 23V652000, Service Brakes Hydraulic), but the recall repair had not yet been performed before the fire occurred.
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15 documented engine fires, some after a recall engine replacement
among the single-model-year fire counts we have documented
Check engine light: On
Complaints describe 'heavy smoke,' 'black smoke from floorboard,' and rapid engulfment; several fires occurred even after a recall-related engine replacement had already been performed.
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Engine seizure from connecting rod bearing defect, VINs excluded
Owners state recalls don't cover their VINs despite identical symptoms
Check engine light: On
Connecting rod bearing manufacturing defects cause engine seizure, with owners explicitly stating recalls don't cover their VINs despite identical symptoms — a separate set of complaints from the fatal incident above, where the VIN was covered.
Owners report their VIN was excluded from the related recall.
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HECU brake failures, parking brake actuator seizure
"Brakes going all the way floor" at highway speeds
Check engine light: On
Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) brake failures and electronic parking brake actuator seizure occur at highway speeds — 'brakes going all the way floor.'
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MDPS steering coupling failures
Loose steering wheels, excessive play, dangerous highway situations
Check engine light: On
Motor-driven power steering (MDPS) flexible coupling failures cause loose steering wheels, excessive play, and clicking/clanking, creating dangerous highway situations.
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Significant oil loss leading to full engine failure
A single documented repair among the most expensive we have seen
Check engine light: On
One reported case describes a full engine failure from significant oil loss (roughly a quart per 1,000 miles) resulting in one of the most expensive repairs we have documented.
$7,500+
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Door Locks Malfunction Not Allowing Driver or Passenger to Open Their Doors
The door locks malfunction, not allowing the driver or passenger to open their doors
Check engine light: Off
The door locks malfunction, not allowing the driver or passenger to open their doors. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 458 owner reports on file.
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Faulty Throttle Position Switch
The throttle position switch is faulty
Check engine light: Off
The throttle position switch is faulty. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 273 owner reports on file.
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Software Update Available to Correct Transmission Issues
A software update is available to correct transmission issues
Check engine light: Off
A software update is available to correct transmission issues. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 258 owner reports on file.
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Kia Issues New Alternator to Replace Weak One
Kia issues a new alternator to replace a weak one
Check engine light: Off
Kia issues a new alternator to replace a weak one. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 173 owner reports on file.
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Failure of AC Compressor Clutch
The AC compressor clutch fails
Check engine light: Off
The AC compressor clutch fails. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 107 owner reports on file.
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No Sound from Speakers
No sound comes from the speakers
Check engine light: Off
No sound comes from the speakers. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 82 owner reports on file.
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Crankshaft Position Sensor May be Damaged if Timing Belt Breaks
The crankshaft position sensor is damaged if the timing belt breaks
Check engine light: Off
The crankshaft position sensor is damaged if the timing belt breaks. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 39 owner reports on file.
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False Intake Air Temp Sensor Code Corrected With PCM Update
A false intake air temperature sensor code is corrected with a PCM update
Check engine light: On
A false intake air temperature sensor code is corrected with a PCM update. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 13 owner reports on file.
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Persistent Check Engine Light Due to Repeated Misfires in Cylinders 2 and 3 with Loss of Power
A persistent check engine light is caused by repeated misfires in cylinders 2 and 3, with loss of power
Check engine light: On
A persistent check engine light is caused by repeated misfires in cylinders 2 and 3, with loss of power. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 12 owner reports on file.
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IMPORTANT — THIS GENERATION IS TIED TO A DOCUMENTED FATALITY. A driver noticed black smoke and a burning-plastic smell, exited the vehicle, and it then exploded — the front section detonated onto the windshield and the steering wheel detached, striking the driver's-side seat. 15 documented engine fires for a single sampled model year reinforce the severity of this nameplate's fire risk.