The contact owns a?2023 Kia K5. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH in hot weather, a loud popping sound came from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact coasted into a ditch and inspected the vehicle, but no exterior damage was found. The vehicle was restarted and driven to a gas station. The check engine warning light was no longer illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The failure persisted and the fuel gauge level dropped while driving. The contact pulled over and placed a bag under the vehicle to check for fuel leaks, but found none. The contact stated that the vehicle failed state vehicle inspection due to an unknown emission code. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who performed an oil change and updated the computer system. The failure recurred while driving with three minor children in the rear seats. The fuel tank made a loud explosion, and the rear seats propped up, pushing the children forward while the seat belts restrained them in their seats. The child seated in the rear passenger seat received medical attention for injuries to the back of his legs caused by hot fuel fumes from underneath the seat, as well as black specks stuck on his legs. The contact's husband opened the fuel tank, and loud air pressure was released. The fuel tank was bubbling. The vehicle was towed to Classic Kia of Carrollton (2920 N Interstate 35E, Carrollton, TX 75007), who determined that the fuel tank needed to be replaced and requested that the manufacturer send an engineer to inspect the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the third dealer, Huffines Kia Corinth (6940 S Interstate 35, Corinth, TX 76210), where an engineer determined the vehicle was non-repairable due to the fuel tank expanding in multiple locations and bending the sub-frame. The contact was informed that the fuel tank was manufactured without a pressure release valve. The vehicle was not repaired.

- Denton, TX, USA

The contact owned a 2023 Kia K5. The contact stated that while her son and daughter-in-law were driving, three loud bangs were heard coming from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and inspected; however, no cause for the banging sounds were found. The vehicle was then taken to a gas station to be inspected, but no cause for the sounds were found. The contact-??s son then added fuel to the vehicle, but the fuel spilled from the filler neck. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where it was determined that the gas tank had expanded and damaged a part underneath of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to be inspected after being deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Labelle, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2023 Kia K5. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard a loud ticking sound coming from the fuel tank. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed as a failure with fuel tank expansion. The contact was contact informed that the fuel tank expansion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 270,000.

- Luther, OK, USA

The contact owns a 2023 Kia K5. The contact stated that the interior of the vehicle had an abnormal gasoline odor. The contact stated that the gasoline odor was inside and surrounding the outside of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact stated the vehicle was previously taken to a dealer a month prior, but the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was unavailable.

- Shelby, NC, USA