Investigations
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE03016 - closed, opened 2003-04-15 and involving the KIA KIA.
NHTSA investigation PE03016 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2003-04-15 and currently closed. The subject of record is KIA KIA, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for KIA. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2003-08-28 - NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
A Preliminary Evaluation like PE03016 is the entry point of the federal defect-investigation process. NHTSA engineers scan complaint databases, field reports, and manufacturer data to decide whether an Engineering Analysis is warranted, whether a voluntary recall is already sufficient, or whether the pattern does not rise to a defect finding.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "KIA HAS IDENTIFIED 22 NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES OF ANY OR UNSPECIFIED CAUSE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. NINE FIRES (OF WHICH 4 WERE ALSO REPORTED TO ODI) ARE IDENTIFIED AS BEING DUE TO A FUEL SYSTEM LEAK ORIGINATIN..." Investigations are the early-warning layer of the federal auto-safety system, sitting upstream of formal recalls and defect orders. Whether this one closes without action or escalates into an Engineering Analysis, the full history stays in the ODI archive so researchers, litigators, and buyers can pull the paper trail at any time. Related KIA files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
KIA HAS IDENTIFIED 22 NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES OF ANY OR UNSPECIFIED CAUSE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. NINE FIRES (OF WHICH 4 WERE ALSO REPORTED TO ODI) ARE IDENTIFIED AS BEING DUE TO A FUEL SYSTEM LEAK ORIGINATING BETWEEN THE FIREWALL AND THE FUEL INJECTOR RAIL (P/N 0K30E 13 150) IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AREA OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE REMAINING FIRES WERE DUE TO VARIED OR UNKNOWN CAUSES. ALL 9 FIRES CAUSED BY A FUEL SYSTEM LEAK SUSTAINED SEVERE AND TOTAL DAMAGE. ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT 1 FIRE WAS CAUSED BY A FAILED QUICK CONNECT BETWEEN THE FLEXIBLE HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL SUPPLY LINE (P/N 0K32A 13 49XB) AND THE RIGID LINE MOUNTED TO THE FIREWALL; 5 FIRES WERE CAUSED BY A FAILURE OF THE FLEXIBLE HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL SUPPLY LINE ITSELF OR ITS RELATED CONNECTORS; THE REMAINING 3 FIRES WERE CAUSED BY UNSPECIFIED FUEL LEAKS IN THE VICINITY OF THE FUEL INJECTOR RAIL, FLEXIBLE HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL SUPPLY LINE, AND THE RIGID LINE MOUNTED TO THE FIREWALL. KIA REPORTS THAT NEITHER THE FUEL INJECTOR RAIL NOR THE FLEXIBLE HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL SUPPLY LINE HAS BEEN SUBSTANTIALLY MODIFIED SINCE THEIR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2001 MODEL YEAR. THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA03-015) SO THAT ODI MAY COLLECT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND CONDUCT FURTHER STUDY OF THIS ISSUE.
About This Investigation Type
A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first phase of NHTSA's investigation process. It is opened when the agency identifies a potential safety defect pattern, usually triggered by consumer complaints, manufacturer reports, or field monitoring. During a PE, NHTSA gathers information to determine whether a formal engineering analysis is warranted.
Other KIA Investigations
Kia 25V099 Piston Oil Ring Recall Effectiveness
Windshield Wiper Failure
3.3L Engine Loss of Motive Power (LOMP)
Loss of Motive Power
Vehicle Rollaway
Data from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Cross-references: NHTSA recall campaign API and NHTSA FARS where fatality records overlap. PlainCars does not rate or recommend vehicles. about how PlainCars sources NHTSA data.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.