NHTSA complaint: 2002 KIA SPORTAGE — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE FAN BLADE BLEW INTO PIECES. HE REPLACED THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR, ANTIFREEZE RESERVE TANK, ALL THREE SERPENTINE BELTS, AIR INTAKE, AND THE INTAKE HOSE HIMSELF, TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. HE THEN RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V161000, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING: COOLING SYSTEM: FAN) AND PETITIONED FOR REIMBURSEMENT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE DEALER ADVISED HE WOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR REIMBURSEMENT UNTIL HE TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED. HE SOON NOTICED THE SMELL OF BURNING ANTIFREEZE CIRCULATING THROUGHOUT THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE BECAME UNUSUALLY WARM. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FAN BELT UNDER THE RECALL CAMPAIGN AND WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT. AFTER REPAIRS, HE CONTINUED TO SMELL BURNING ANTIFREEZE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND HE WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,835 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,838.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation