MENU
SEARCHThe federal safety agency is looking into whether the automakers acted quickly enough and met reporting requirements in the recall of 1.6 million cars at risk for engine failure.
Image courtesy of NHTSA.
Image courtesy of NHTSA.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it's investigating whether Hyundai and Kia met all federal requirements in conducting safety recalls involving more than 1.6 million vehicles with engine problems.
The probe will focus on the timeliness and scope of the recalls and compliance with reporting requirements, NHTSA said. The recalls involve Theta II engines at risk for seizing.
Back in September 2015, Hyundai Motor America filed a defect report with NHTSA and recalled about 470,000 2011- and 2012-model year Sonata cars with the Theta II engine. In the defect report, Hyundai blamed the trouble on manufacturing debris and a machine process that created an uneven surface roughness that impeded oil flow to connecting rod bearings. The problem can eventually lead to premature bearing wear and engine seizing.
At the time, Hyundai limited the recall to vehicles produced on or before April 12, 2012. The automaker indicated a manufacturing process change in April 2012 resolved the debris issue.
But on March 31 of this year, Hyundai expanded the recall to include about 572,000 2013- and 2014-MY Sonata and Santa Fe Sport vehicles with Theta II engines. At the same time, Kia Motors America filed a defect report to recall 618,160 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento, and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles for the same Theta II engine issue.
In the defect report, Kia stated that it didn’t conduct a recall back in September 2015 because Kia’s Theta II engines were manufactured on a different production line than the recalled Hyundai vehicles.
In NHTSA’s investigation notice, the agency pointed out that Hyundai has continued to attribute the problem to manufacturing debris.
Kia is partially owned by Hyundai.
Distracted driving remains one of the most persistent risks in fleet operations. New approaches focus on removing mobile device use entirely while adding real-time safety support.
Read More →
As distraction risks evolve, fleets are turning to smarter, more connected technologies to better understand what’s happening behind the wheel. Part 2 explores how these tools are helping identify risky behaviors and improve visibility across operations.
Read More →
What fleets capture to improve safety can also expose them in litigation, forcing leaders to rethink how data is managed, stored, and shared.
Read More →
Distracted driving is often measured by what we can see—phones in hand, eyes off the road. But what about the distractions we can’t? A recent incident raises a bigger question about awareness, attention, and why subtle risks so often go unnoticed.
Read More →
While serious crashes are declining, a rise in minor incidents and ongoing risk hotspots underscore the need for continued fleet safety investment.
Read More →
Fleets have more driver data than ever, so why isn't behavior changing? Training requires more than reports and coaching — it requires real-world practice.
Read More →
A two-part conversation with Stefan Heck on how AI is transforming the fight against distracted driving. As fleets adopt smarter tools, the focus shifts from reacting to preventing risk. In Part 1, we look at where AI is making an impact for fleets today.
Read More →
More people on foot means more risk for drivers. These pedestrian safety tips can help prevent serious injuries and keep everyone safer on the road.
Read More →
Safer crews. Fewer incidents. Better uptime. Learn how driver-assist technology is changing the way vocational fleets operate.
Read More →
An 11% drop in pedestrian fatalities in early 2025 signals progress in U.S. road safety, but elevated death rates and ongoing risks underscore the need for continued action from fleets and policymakers.
Read More →
