NHTSA complaint #11652496

Owner complaint summary

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? While driving the vehicle, it intermittently hesitated during acceleration until there was a very loud popping and banging noise, it was sudden and very loud. We experienced a complete and sudden loss of power. The car then proceeded to send off nearly every alert on the dash, and threw a code which was P061B. The engine blew out, the oil pan was fractured by ejected connecting rod (visible from underside). How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? When the engine blew out in the fast lane, our physical safety was at risk due to the immediate loss of control and power, the inability to merge, and stopping next to the center divider in a high-traffic area. In the car were my wife and 3 kids. Psychologically, the fear and panic of our family being stuck, the stress of making quick decisions, and the vulnerability of being exposed to fast-moving vehicles added significant pressure. In that moment, our family was left utterly helpless, fearing for our lives in the face of an overwhelming, life-threatening crisis. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The car is currently at a Kia service center in Santa Rosa, Ca. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? UNKNOWN, the vehicle is at the service center in Santa Rosa, Ca. The vehicle was also inspected by a local mobile mechanic. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? There were no alerts, warning lamps, or messages, the car did experience some hesitation during acceleration but it was intermittent.