Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 227 / Monday, November 25, 2024 / Notices 92999 

1Petitioner also mentions Kia vehicles equipped 

with this engine. ODI recently closed investigation 

PE23–019, which investigated a loss of motive 

power related to head gasket and head bolt failure 

in MY 2016–2017 Kia Sorento vehicles equipped 

with the 3.3L Lambda II engine. Through its 

investigation ODI identified the peer vehicle 

populations: MY 2014–2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2015– 

2016 Kia Sedona, and MY 2014–2017 Kia Cadenza 

equipped with the 3.3L engine. Through 

discussions with ODI during the investigation, Kia 

decided to launch extended warranty campaign 

WTY039 in May 2024, which covers these peer 

vehicle populations through 15 years or 180,000 

miles, whichever comes first. ODI closed the 

investigation based on analysis of the failure data 

indicating a low incident report rate of loss of 

motive power for the alleged defect, and in 

consideration of the warning signs which frequently 

occur from head gasket and/or head bolt failure in 

the subject engines. 

2The authority to determine whether to approve 

or deny defect petitions under 49 U.S.C. 30162(d) 

and 49 CFR part 552 has been further delegated to 

the Associate Administrator for Enforcement. 

dockets by the name of the individual 

submitting the comment (or signing the 

comment, if submitted on behalf of an 

association, business, labor union, etc.). 

For information on DOT’s compliance 

with the Privacy Act, please visit 

https://www.transportation.gov/privacy. 

(Authority: 49 CFR 1.81 and 1.93; 36 CFR 

part 800; 5 U.S.C. 552b.) 

By Order of the Maritime Administrator. 

T. Mitchell Hudson, Jr., 

Secretary, Maritime Administration. 

[FR Doc. 2024–27531 Filed 11–22–24; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–81–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

[Docket No. NHTSA–2024–0087] 

Denial of Motor Vehicle Defect Petition, 

DP24–001 

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic 

Safety Administration (NHTSA), 

Department of Transportation. 

ACTION: Notice of denial of a petition for 

a defect investigation. 

SUMMARY: This notice sets forth the 

reasons for the denial of a defect 

petition, DP24–001, submitted by Ms. 

Jasmine Jewell (the Petitioner) to 

NHTSA (the Agency) by a letter dated 

February 2, 2024. The petition requests 

that the Agency initiate a safety defect 

investigation into the loss of motive 

power incidents attributed to 3.3L 

Lambda-II engines equipped in vehicles 

manufactured by Hyundai Motor 

America (Hyundai), which the Agency 

interpreted as addressing 3.3L LambdaII engines on certain Model Year (MY) 

2017 Santa Fe Models. After conducting 

a technical review of the petition and 

other information, the Agency 

concluded that the issues raised by the 

petition do not warrant a new defect 

investigation. Accordingly, the Agency 

denied the petition. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

David Engel, Vehicle Defect Division C, 

Office of Defects Investigation, NHTSA, 

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 

Washington, DC 20590. Telephone: 

202–366–0385. Email: david.engel@

dot.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Introduction 

Interested persons may petition 

NHTSA requesting that the Agency 

initiate an investigation to determine 

whether a motor vehicle or an item of 

replacement equipment does not 

comply with an applicable motor 

vehicle safety standard or contains a 

defect that relates to motor vehicle 

safety. 49 U.S.C. 30162(a)(2); 49 CFR 

552.1. Upon receipt of a properly filed 

petition, the Agency conducts a 

technical review of the petition, 

material submitted with the petition, 

and any additional information. 49 

U.S.C. 30162(a)(2); 49 CFR 552.6. The 

technical review may consist solely of a 

review of information already in the 

possession of the Agency or it may 

include the collection of information 

from a motor vehicle manufacturer and/ 

or other sources. After conducting the 

technical review and considering 

appropriate factors, which may include, 

but are not limited to, the nature of the 

complaint, allocation of Agency 

resources, Agency priorities, the 

likelihood of uncovering sufficient 

evidence to establish the existence of a 

defect, and the likelihood of success in 

any necessary enforcement litigation, 

the Agency will grant or deny the 

petition. See 49 U.S.C. 30162(a)(2); 49 

CFR 552.8. 

Background Information 

The Office of Defects Investigation 

(ODI) received a petition dated February 

2, 2024, requesting a defect 

investigation into an alleged defect of 

the 3.3L V-shaped GDI Lambda-II engine 

equipped in Hyundai vehicles. NHTSA 

interpreted this request to only include 

3.3L Lambda-II engines on certain 

Model Year (MY) 2017 Santa Fe Models. 

Given the technical differences between 

makes and model years that impact 

engine dynamics, NHTSA limited its 

analysis to the make and model year 

used by the Petitioner. 

Summary of Petition 

The petition cites allegations of a 

sudden loss of motive power, often 

resulting in an engine seizure. The stall 

is preceded by a knocking sound, 

decreased performance, and no warning 

lights. 

Office of Defects Investigation Analysis 

An analysis of the subject vehicle 

population was undertaken using 

complaints submitted to ODI along with 

manufacturer data. It was determined 

that the frequency of events is low for 

the subject population and those that 

specifically report a loss of motive 

power event have a high mileage at the 

time of incident.1

The 2017 Santa Fe is equipped with 

a service interval reminder for the 

consumer that must be set by the 

consumer themselves or at a dealership. 

A Technical Service Bulletin (19–EM– 

002H) instructs the dealership to set the 

maintenance reminder after routine 

maintenance service or anytime a repair 

is performed that requires new engine 

oil. This maintenance reminder 

reinforces the need for proper oil 

maintenance intervals. Additionally, 

Santa Fe vehicles with 3.3L V-shaped 

Lambda-II engines will be added to 

Hyundai’s existing Technical Service 

Bulletin (23–EM–007H) related to 

combustion chamber cleaning. Lastly, 

Hyundai has extended the limited 

engine warranty for the 2017 Santa Fe 

equipped with 3.3L V-shaped LambdaII engines included in the Petition. The 

updated coverage is 15 years or 150,000 

miles and is contained in Technical 

Service Bulletin 24–EM–003H. These 

actions will help limit incidents related 

to loss of motive power. 

In view of the service interval 

reminder, combustion chamber 

cleaning, and extended warranty actions 

being taken by Hyundai, NHTSA is 

denying this Defect Petition as it has not 

determined a defect investigation is 

warranted at this time. The Agency 

reserves the right to take additional 

action if warranted by future 

circumstances. To review the reports 

cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report 

Identification Number document, go to 

NHTSA.gov. 

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 30162(d) and 49 

CFR part 552; delegation of authority at 

49 CFR 1.95(a).2

Eileen Sullivan 

Associate Administrator for Enforcement. 

[FR Doc. 2024–27526 Filed 11–22–24; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–59–P 


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