Investigations
Scope and Timeliness
NHTSA Recall Query RQ17003 — closed, opened 2017-05-18 and involving the KIA KIA.
NHTSA investigation RQ17003 is a Recall Query opened on 2017-05-18 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 2021-12-22 — 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 Recall Query like RQ17003 evaluates whether a previously issued recall is actually fixing the problem. NHTSA opens an RQ when owners continue to report the original defect after the recall remedy is installed, or when completion rates fall short of the agency's expectations for that risk tier.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "NHTSA opened Recall Query (RQ) 17-003 to investigate the timeliness and scope of Kia’s Theta II GDI engine recall (Recall No. 17V-224), and Kia’s compliance with reporting requirements. On November 23, 2020, the Agency e..." 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
NHTSA opened Recall Query (RQ) 17-003 to investigate the timeliness and scope of Kia’s Theta II GDI engine recall (Recall No. 17V-224), and Kia’s compliance with reporting requirements. On November 23, 2020, the Agency entered into a Consent Order with Kia to administratively resolve NHTSA’s assertions of violations of law in connection with RQ17-003. NHTSA’s assertions included that Kia may be liable for civil penalties on multiple grounds, including that Recall No. 17V-224 was untimely and Kia’s recall report contained certain inaccuracies. Under the Consent Order, Kia agreed to a total civil penalty of $70,000,000. The total civil penalty included a payment of $27,000,000 as a Non-Deferred Amount. Kia also agreed to a sum of $27,000,000 as an Abeyance Amount to be deferred and held in abeyance pending its satisfactory completion, as reasonably determined by NHTSA, of the requirements of the Consent Order. Kia also agreed to a $16,000,000 Performance Obligation Amount to be expended by Kia to fulfill specified Safety Data Analytics Infrastructure obligations. The Consent Order also includes other terms designed to enhance Kia’s safety practices, and requires Kia to retain a Third-Party Auditor who directly reports to NHTSA. Other than RQ17-003, the Consent Order is not intended to affect any other current or future investigation of NHTSA which may involve vehicles equipped with Theta II GDI engines. In particular, Engineering Analysis (EA) 21-003 (which is upgraded from Preliminary Evaluation (PE) 19-004) continues NHTSA’s evaluation of certain performance and design issues relating to the Theta II and other engines. Nothing in the Consent Order discharges Kia from any obligation to comply with the Safety Act or regulations thereunder, including the obligation to carry out recalls in accordance with the law, and to initiate a recall upon any future determination by Kia, or upon any finally adjudicated order from NHTSA, that vehicles equipped with Theta II GDI engi
About This Investigation Type
A Recall Query (RQ) evaluates the effectiveness of a previously issued recall. NHTSA opens an RQ when consumer complaints suggest that a recall remedy may not be adequately addressing the safety issue, or when the recall completion rate appears insufficient.
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. Learn more.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.