The contact owns a 2026 Kia Sportage equipped with Kumho Tires, Tire Line: Crugen HP71, Tire Size: 235/60/R18, DOT Number: 1K2CMYA8E . While the contact’s daughter was driving approximately 75 MPH, the vehicle suddenly started shaking violently and vibrated abnormally, causing the driver to almost lose control of the steering wheel. The driver regained control of the steering wheel and parked the vehicle. The Police and a towing service was called to the scene. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the front passenger’s side tire had tread separation at the center of the tire, causing the center rim of the wheel to be exposed and caused damages to the wheel well and fender. The vehicle was later towed to the residence. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle manufacturer and rental car company were notified of the failure. The tire manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 3,900.
NHTSA complaint #11752974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
COMPONENTS FAILED & EVIDENCE: 4 dry-rotted Kumho Crugen Premium tires, size 225/60R17, DOT 272A YANH 1319. Replaced due to hazard. High-definition photo proof of the severe dry rot defects, deep tread cracking, and the 2019 date stamps discovered upon removal is fully preserved and available.SAFETY RISK & CONCEALMENT: Operating on 7-year-old structurally compromised rubber posed a severe blowout liability on the highway. At delivery, 3 of the 4 tires were mounted inside-out. This reversed mounting placed the worst dry rot cracking and the 4-digit date code (1319, meaning March 2019 manufacture) on the inner undercarriage, actively obscuring a critical safety defect and the expiration date from a standard consumer visual inspection.NEGLIGENT INSPECTION HISTORY: The dealer had physical possession of this vehicle twice: first for pre-sale certification, and second for post-sale service. Prior to the second release, the consumer explicitly texted instructions to ensure the vehicle was completely safe with no issues. The service bay subsequently texted back confirming they performed a "once over" and verified "no issues." The dealer twice failed its duty of care, ignored a critical hazard, and falsely certified road-readiness. Corporate legal has been notified and is stonewalling.DISCOVERY & SEVERE SYMPTOMS: Failure was discovered only after a nail punctured the rear passenger tire, prompting a close inspection of all four wheels. Two weeks prior, all 4 tires simultaneously dropped to half-capacity air pressure. This simultaneous deflation indicates the extensive dry rot completely compromised the rubber compound's structural integrity and ability to hold air pressure, creating a progressive failure condition. ALL 4 TIRES WERE SEVERELY DRYROT.
NHTSA complaint #11749517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sportage equipped with Kumho Tires, Tire Line: Crugen KL33 Blackwall, Tire Size: 225/55/R18, and DOT Number: 27LZYANH1921. The contact stated while driving 25-30 MPH, the vehicle shuddered. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the front passenger's side tire had a low tread depth, cracks on the side wall, and was dry rotted. The dealer replaced the front passenger's side tire at approximately 20,000 miles. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure recurred, while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the rear passenger's side tire had a low tread depth, cracks on the side wall, and was dry rotted. The dealer replaced the rear passenger's side tire at approximately 20,400 miles. The tires were the original equipment. The manufacturer was called but was unreachable. The vehicle and tire failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
NHTSA complaint #11680116 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Sportage equipped with Kumho Tires, Tire Line: Crugen KL33 Blackwall, Tire Size: 225/55/R18, and DOT Number: 27LZYANH1921. The contact stated while driving 25-30 MPH, the vehicle shuddered. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the front passenger's side tire had a low tread depth, cracks on the side wall, and was dry rotted. The dealer replaced the front passenger's side tire at approximately 20,000 miles. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure recurred, while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the rear passenger's side tire had a low tread depth, cracks on the side wall, and was dry rotted. The dealer replaced the rear passenger's side tire at approximately 20,400 miles. The tires were the original equipment. The manufacturer was called but was unreachable. The vehicle and tire failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
NHTSA complaint #11680116 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THOUGH SOLD AS "ALL SEASON" M+S RATED TIRES, THE MILESTAR MS932XP+ HAS DANGEROUSLY POOR TRACTION ON EVEN MINOR SNOW ACCUMULATIONS. WHILE DRIVING ON A FLAT PAVED STATE ROAD THAT HAD 1/4 INCH OR LESS FRESH SNOW AND MINIMAL/NO TREATMENT, IN A LATE MODEL AWD CROSSOVER SUV WITH 245/45R-19 TIRES, THE MILESTAR TIRES HAD DANGEROUSLY POOR TRACTION. ANY ACCELERATION, NO MATTER HOW SLOW, RESULTED IN WHEELSPIN AND LATERAL MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE WITH TRACTION/STABILITY CONTROL ENGAGEMENT. EVEN MINIMAL BRAKING PRESSURE RESULTED IN FULL ABS ENGAGEMENT. BRAKING DISTANCES WERE EXTREMELY LONG. THE PERFORMANCE OF THESE TIRES WAS NOT CONSISTENT WITH ANY OTHER ALL-SEASON M+S RATED TIRE I'VE USED, AND WAS MORE CONSISTENT WITH A "SUMMER" TIRE. SELLING THESE TIRES AS "ALL SEASON M+S" IS MISLEADING AND DANGEROUS.
NHTSA complaint #11287098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I KEEP GETTING LOW AIR NOTIFICATIONS ON MY CAR. I TOOK IT IN ONCE AND THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH MY TIRES AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. WELL IT'S BACK AGAIN SO I'M TAKING MY CAR IN AGAIN. THIS IS A REAL PAIN BECAUSE I WORK 2 JOBS, 12 HOURS DAYS, NIGHT SHIFTS ETC. I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THIS! ALSO MY BLUETOOTH SKIPS AND PAUSES A LOT SO I ALWAYS HAVE TO PLUG IN MY PHONE TO USE IT.
NHTSA complaint #11279447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE PARKED IN NEUTRAL I NOTICED THE LOW TIRE WARNING LIGHT BLINKING. THE VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 3000 MILES ON IT. AFTER CHECKING THE PRESSURE I DECIDED THAT THE PROBLEM HAD TO BE A SENSOR. I BROUGHT IT TO MYRTLE BEACH KIA ON HIGHWAY 501 IN S.C. I WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE BOARD NOT THE SENSOR IN THE TIRES AND ALL THEY COULD DO WAS RESET THE CODE. THE DEALER MANGER SAID THAT THEY HAD TO GET PERMISSION FROM CORPORATE TO REPLACE THE PART. I WAS ASSURED THAT THERE WAS A RECORD OF THE PROBLEM IN THE COMPUTER FOR ANY DEALER THAT I CHOOSE TO VISIT. THE LIGHT STAYED OFF FOR ABOUT 7000 MILES. DURING THIS TIME I DID NOT KNOW IF IT WAS WORKING PROPERLY OR JUST GOING TO GIVE ME A FALSE SIGNAL. MY NEXT ATTEMPT TO HAVE THE PROBLEM RESOLVED WAS AT DANBURY KIA IN DANBURY CONN. TO MY AMAZEMENT THERE WAS NO RECORD OF THE PROBLEM IN THE COMPUTER. A CALL TO THE OTHER DEALER CONFIRMED MY VISIT BUT NO RECORD OF THE TIRE SENSOR PROBLEM. AGAIN THEY RESET THE CODE, THE LIGHT IS OUT, BUT THAT LEAVES ME AND MY FAMILY WITHOUT THE PROTECTION THAT THIS WARNING SYSTEM WAS MANDATED FOR.
NHTSA complaint #10684333 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPORTAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH HANKOOK OPTIMO H418 TIRES (NA), TIRE SIZE 235/60/16. THE DOT NUMBER WAS T7BNBWH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S SIDE TIRES TREAD WERE COMPLETELY WORN. THE DEFECT OCCURRED ONE YEAR AFTER THE NEW REAR TIRES WERE MOUNTED ON THE VEHICLE. THE RECENT DEFECTIVE TIRES HAD NOT BEEN REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10523639 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SPORTAGE EQUIPPED WITH KUMHO SOLUS TIRES, SIZE 225/60 R17. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR TIRE BELTS WERE WEARING PREMATURELY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE TO THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE ON THE TIRES AND THE VEHICLE WAS 23,340.
NHTSA complaint #10502529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SPORTAGE EQUIPPED WITH COOPER TRENDSETTER SE TIRES SIZE 205/75R15, DOT NUMBER U9ULC2T2811. A FRIEND WAS DRIVING 70 MPH WHEN THE SIDEWALL SEPARATED ON THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE. THE TIRE SHREDDED INTO PIECES AS A RESULT. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SWAY AS THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SHOULDER, WHERE HE INSTALLED A SPARE TIRE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE BRAND NEW AND RECENTLY PURCHASED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD GET BACK IN TOUCH WITH THE CONTACT. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE ON THE TIRE WAS 3,562. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,238. UPDATED 12/29/11 *BF UPDATED 03/16/12
NHTSA complaint #10437430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
KUMHO TIRE RADIAL 798 RADIAL TUBLESS M+S P205/75R15 975 MADE IN KOREA TREAD STEEL 2+ POLYESTER. THE TIRE WAS A NEW TIRE USED AS SPIRE NEVER BEEN ON ROAD. EXPLODED ON MY BACK DOOR OF VEHICLE WHILE PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY, VERY DAMAGES IF I HAD BEEN ON ROAD I WOULD HAVE BEEN INJURED. I HAVE PICTURES OF TIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10403720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2007 KIA SPORTAGE. CONSUMER STATES THAT REAR BRAKES FAILED DUE TO REAR CALIPER SLIDES BEING CORRODED WITH BRAKE DUST. ALSO, THE TIRES WERE SEVERELY WORN. *KB THE REAR CALIPERS FAILED TO RELEASE COMPLETELY. KIA REFUSED TO HONOR THE WARRANTY BECAUSE THEY STATED THE CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE SLIDES CLEANED TO ASSURE THEY WERE NOT STICKING.
NHTSA complaint #10371448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HAD PROBLEM WITH KIA TMP TIRE PRESSURE GAUGE I THINK KIA DISCONNECTED IT, AND I PAID $587 FOR 4 NEW TIRES. TIRES WARRANTIED FOR 55,000 NEED TO BE REPLACED BEFORE WARRANTY IS UP. WENT TO TIRE KINGDOM NAPLES, FL WANTS TO CHARGE ME $200 FOR 2 TIRES AFTER A 32% PRO RATE. TIRES ARE NO GOOD TIRES ARE TOURING TEMPEST 22560R1678H FOR 2007 KIA SPORTAGE HAS THERE BEEN A RECALL ON THEM?????
NHTSA complaint #10345970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HAD PROBLEM WITH KIA TMP TIRE PRESSURE GAUGE I THINK KIA DISCONNECTED IT, AND I PAID $587 FOR 4 NEW TIRES. TIRES WARRANTIED FOR 55,000 NEED TO BE REPLACED BEFORE WARRANTY IS UP. WENT TO TIRE KINGDOM NAPLES, FL WANTS TO CHARGE ME $200 FOR 2 TIRES AFTER A 32% PRO RATE. TIRES ARE NO GOOD TIRES ARE TOURING TEMPEST 22560R1678H FOR 2007 KIA SPORTAGE HAS THERE BEEN A RECALL ON THEM?????
NHTSA complaint #10345970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRE FAILURE. TOTAL TREAD SEPARATION. TRAVELING 65MPH ON A CLEAR, STRAIGHT STATE HIGHWAY I HEARD A LOUD BAND AND ALMOST LOST CONTROL. THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW AND THE TREAD SEPARATED ENTIRELY, I WAS ABLE TO RECOVER THE ENTIRE PIECE OF TREAD FROM THE ROADWAY. THE TIRE HAD ONLY 12,000 ON IT AND 10 DAYS EARLIER THE TIRES WERE ROTATED AND PRESSURE CHECKED. RIKEN RAPTOR DOT# Y94CYNRO.
NHTSA complaint #10287190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
KUMHO TIRE E4 0225645-S I BOUGHT A KIA SPORTAGE 06. I HAVE 15400 MI. ON MY ODOMETER. I PUT AIR IN THEM RECENTLY AND THE GUY AT THE AUTO SHOP SAID I SHOULD AVOID LONG DRIVES DUE TO THE TIRES CRACKING. WITH THE LACK OF MILEAGE ON THE CAR, WHY IS IT THAT THE TIRES ARE CRACKING. THEY AREN'T OLD. THE TREADS ARE IN GOOD CONDITION. IS THERE A RECALL ON THEM? I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF I AM PUTTING IN THE RIGHT MODEL NUMBER.
NHTSA complaint #10279472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SPORTAGE. THE VEHICLE HAS COOPER TRENDSETTER SE TIRES, SIZE P 20575R15 (NA). WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD SOUND INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. HE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER, BUT WHEN HE DROVE OFF FOR A FEW MILES, HE HEARD A SLAPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. THE CONTACT PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND NOTICED MAJOR TREAD SEPARATION; HOWEVER, THERE WAS STILL AIR INSIDE OF THE TIRE. THE FAILURE CRACKED THE REAR BUMPER, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE LENS, AND THE BULB. HE EMAILED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT HAS NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 192,000.
NHTSA complaint #10277160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER CHANGED THE CONTROL PANEL SENSOR, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
NHTSA complaint #10256322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.