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This settlement is closed!
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Hyundai has agreed to settle a class action lawsuit with Sonata owners claiming their engines failed and Hyundai dealers allegedly declined to replace them under warranties.
The affected vehicles include 2011 – 2014 model year Hyundai Sonatas with a Theta II 2.0 liter or 2.4 liter gasoline direct injection engine.
Plaintiffs claimed the vehicles had check-engine light problems, unusual sounds coming from engine compartments, sudden engine seizures and stalling.
They further alleged that dealers frequently didn’t replace the engine, citing the drivers’ alleged failure to regularly change the oil or failing to keep service records.
Under the terms of the Hyundai Sonata engine settlement, Hyundai will reimburse Sonata owners who paid for engine block replacements or repairs within 10 years and 120,000 miles of the vehicle’s original sale or lease, including rental car and towing expenses incurred as a result of the engine failures.
The company will also compensate Sonata owners for loss of resale value if they suffered an engine failure, but sold or traded in their vehicles rather than paying to replace the engine.
For those customers who haven’t experienced engine issues yet, Hyundai will mail them a pamphlet describing the alleged engine defect.
Class Members who wish to be excluded from or object to the terms of the settlement must do so by Nov. 7, 2016.
Who’s Eligible
All owners and lessees of a 2011, 2012, 2013, or 2014 model year Hyundai Sonata with a Theta II 2.0 liter or 2.4 liter gasoline direct injection engine purchased in the United States, excluding the territories, or abroad while on active military duty.
Potential Award
Varies.
The settlement provides the following benefits:
Powertrain Warranty Extension for Class Vehicles: You do not need to submit a Claim Form to receive this extension of the Powertrain Warranty for the engine short block assembly under this settlement.
Reimbursement for past repairs: Money you spent on certain Class Vehicle repairs will be reimbursed in full, based on the following requirements:
- DATE OF REPAIR
- The repair must have been within the new extended warranty period (i.e., within 10 years and 120,000 miles of when the vehicle was first sold or leased), and
- The repair must have been before Nov. 9, 2015 for 2011 and 2012 model year vehicles, or Sept. 28, 2016 for 2013 and 2014 model year vehicles.
- TYPES OF “QUALIFYING REPAIRS”
- Any repair to the engine short block assembly (which includes the engine block, crankshaft and bearings, connecting rods and bearings, and pistons).
- Repairs to any other components (such as the long block assembly, battery, or starter) if paperwork shows the work was an attempt to address (i) engine seizure, (ii) engine stalling, (iii) engine noise, or (iv) illumination of the oil lamp. (Repair costs will not be reimbursed if the paperwork reflects that the repairs were plainly unrelated to the short block assembly).
- Any replacement of an oil filter based on Hyundai TSB No. 12-EM-006 necessitated by an engine short block assembly issue.
Reimbursement for rental cars, towing, etc.:
Money you spent on rental cars, towing services, and similar services will also be reimbursed in full if the expense was reasonably related to obtaining one of the “qualifying repairs” listed above.
Compensation if you sold or traded-in a Class Vehicle: If, before Nov. 9, 2015 for 2011 and 2012 model year vehicles, or Sept. 28, 2016 for 2013 and 2014 model year vehicles, your Class Vehicle (i) experienced an engine seizure, engine stall, engine noise, or illumination of the oil lamp diagnosed as requiring repair of the engine block, and (ii) you sold or traded-in the Class Vehicle without first procuring the recommended repair, you may receive compensation for any effect on fair market value of the Class Vehicle that resulted.
The amount of compensation will be based on the sale or trade-in transaction as a whole (among other considerations). The vehicle’s maintenance history or lack thereof before the repair diagnosis will not be a basis for denying or limiting compensation under this section, however (excepting limited exceptional neglect circumstances).
Proof of Purchase
Depending on the reimbursement you are claiming, the following documents, along with the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), are required to complete your claim:
Reimbursement for repairs at a Hyundai dealership: Credit card receipt, receipt from the dealership, credit card statement, OR other document showing the amount that you (or a friend or family member) paid for the repair(s). (If you paid in cash and have no receipt, your signature on the Claim Form will constitute your attestation, under penalty of perjury, that you (or a friend or family member) paid for the repair in cash and do not have a receipt or documentation for the payment.)
Reimbursement for repairs at a non-Hyundai facility: Repair invoice or document that shows: (i) the repair type, (ii) the repair date, and (iii) the amount paid (e.g. credit card receipt, credit card statement, or bank statement).
Reimbursement for rental car, towing, or other costs incurred: Receipt or document showing all of the following:
- What was purchased (e.g. a rental car or towing service)
- Date of purchase
- Amount paid (e.g. credit card receipt, credit card statement, or bank statement)
- The date and nature of the corresponding repair (not needed if the repair was performed at a Hyundai dealership)
Reimbursement for a Class Vehicle you sold or traded-in after the vehicle was diagnosed as requiring an engine block repair, but before the repair was performed:
Hyundai will contact you about your request for compensation.
- To potentially qualify for compensation, your vehicle must have experienced an engine seizure, engine stall, engine noise, or illumination of the oil lamp that was diagnosed as requiring repair of the engine, but you sold or traded-in your vehicle before the repair was performed.
- For 2011 and 2012 model year vehicles the sale or trade-in must have occurred before Nov. 9, 2015. For 2013 and 2014 model year vehicles the sale or trade-in must have occurred before Sept. 28, 2016.
- If you have documents that you believe support your request for compensation, such as the repair facility diagnosis and paperwork showing what you received for your vehicle as a trade-in, providing those documents with your Claim Form may assist in the processing of your claim.
Claim Form
Claim Form Deadline
01/26/2017
Case Name
In re: Hyundai Sonata Engine Litigation, Case No. 5:15-cv-1685-BLF, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
Final Hearing
12/15/2016
UPDATE: The Hyundai Sonata settlement received final approval from the court on January 31, 2017. Let Top Class Actions know when you receive a check in the comments section below or on our Facebook page.
Settlement Website
https://SonataEngineSettlement.HyundaiUSA.com
Claims Administrator
Sonata Class Action Settlement
c/o Claims Administrator
PO Box 20840
Fountain Valley, CA 92728
844-317-9571
Email: SonataEngineSettlement@HMAUSA.com
Class Counsel
Matthew D. Shelkopf
Joseph G. Sauder
MCCUNEWRIGHT LLP
Eric Gibbs
David Stein
GIBBS LAW GROUP LLP
Defense Counsel
Shon Morgan
Joseph R. Ashby
QUINN EMANUEL URQUHART & SULLIVAN LLP
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68 thoughts onHyundai Sonata Engine Defect Class Action Settlement
They’re still doing this! My 2016 Hyundai Sonata Sport 2.4L is burning through oil like crazy and has been for a while now. It shutters and makes some nasty noises especially while accelerating up hill. I’ve taken it to be looked at and Hyundai warranty has just now authorized an oil consumption test. I had to collect all of my service records and prove that I was the Original owner before they’d even consider that part so I had to rent a vehicle with my own money while they demanded all of these things, like they can’t see that I was the original owner??? I was told they don’t give loaner cars until a problem can be found for certain so you’re just sol during this time unless you have hundreds of dollars sitting around to rent your own car while they drag their feet and act oblivious to their on going issues. This lawsuit needs to be started all over again they need to be held accountable for their crooked ways!
Hi.
I’m Leah my 2014 Hyundai sonata is doing the very same thing, I mean identical how you describe your car. Took it out to the local dealer after having to wait forever to get it in there and they said it was a PCV valve which it wasn’t took it to another certified mechanic shop said they never checked the bearings or anything never took the oil pan off they falsified documents as far as I’m concerned and charge me. I refuse to trade it in and give that problem to someone else or risk someone else’s life in that car and now Hyundai will do nothing to help me it’s been 125 days drag there feet and just keep putting me off. I bought the car new paid half of it in cash and was not aware of any problems until this happened you’re right they need to redo this lawsuit and start over and be held accountable for putting people’s life and stake and cheating people out of their hard-earned money. I have a Hyundai case manager in case number and nothing has bee done but they tell me what I’ve done wrong and what I have not done and they’re the ones manufactured a defective car but yet it’s our fault the consumers. The $40 a day rental car Hyundai proposed in the settlement you cannot find a rental car for $40 a day they’re $90 and $100 a day in this area. If something’s not done 4 million people involved in this they’re going to be cheated, most of us out of our hard-earned money.
I have a 2103 Hyundai Sonata which is burning excessive amounts of oil – 5 quarts in the last 2300 miles. Taking it in to the Dealership tomorrow so they can change the oil for an oil consumption test. It’s been slowly burning oil for the last 18 months but gradually getting worse. No smoke, no leaks. I highly doubt the dealership is going to do anything since it has 136K miles. I’ve been religiously changing the oil every 5K miles with Mobil 1 Synthetic High Mileage formula. Worried the engine is going to seize up or catch fire while driving my kids around. Hyundai Corporation needs to step up and take full responsibility to make their cars safe for families.
I have been a loyal Hyundai owner since 2007. Leased my first Sonata. Bought my daughter a Sonata in 2008. I bought a new Sonata in 2009. I bought another Sonata in 2013. My Sonata ceased up on Easter Sunday 2019, a couple hours from home with no warning. I had it towed to a local garage I did business with because I was unable to get a hold of anyone from Hyundai on Easter. The garage diagnosed it on Monday and said it was out of oil / ceased up and could not be repaired. I would need to put a used engine in or junk the car. I put in a used engine for about $4300. It is a 2013 with 133,00 miles on the car. I could not believe that Hyundai would not stand behind the car in which they new there was a known defect in there engine. They did not contact me to let me know of this issue so we could head off this problem. So I am stuck with the bill and will probably never by another Hyundai because of the poor decision they made on not taking care of loyal customer because I had 13,000 miles over the warranty.
My 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport quit running while I was driving from Cape Cod to Boston. My AAA paid for my tow to a local mechanic, who diagnosed the problem (cost $330). I then had it towed to a Hyundai Dealership (cost $260). Hyundai replaced the engine. It runs fine. Hyundai has offered to pay for the tow to the Hyundai dealership but won’t pay for the local mechanic who diagnosed the problem. Should they be compensating for the first (non-Hyundai) engine diagnosis?
My 2013 Sonata had 3 recalls Air bags never doplyed in an accident. NOW my car site on the side of the road engine siezed, I cant even affors to get it towed to the dealership. I called to set apoint to get engine recall fixed and the said they fixed it already! No you didnt fix it. So screwed, if I take it to that dealership I have no faith they will accept responsibility in fixing it. Almost got hit by a truck, when it stalled and then had to push the car 50 yards with 2 young kids in the back. Almost got hit by a car pushing the vehicle.
My 2011 sonata just stopped working just after passing someone on a dark back road. Scary stuff. Waited a cpl mins started it up no problem. Took it to dealership replaced the entire engine and started no cost. Hopefully no one gets hurt over this malfunction. If you have t brought in your vehicle for the recall … do so ASAP!
How many miles are on your car! Mine just did these to me but I am out of warranty.
So far Hyundai and local dealership (Allen Hyundai of Gulfport, Mississippi) has been great to me. Took vehicle (2014 Sonata) in to dealership for oil change and to have open recalls checked. At the end of my visit the Service Dept. there informed me that my vehicle in fact fell under the engine recall and failed the engine inspection even though I had no prior issues with the vehicle. Within 25 minutes Hyundai had already approved a new Hyundai engine to be installed at the request and communication with dealership. Hyundai shipped the new updated engine to the dealership last week and this week my vehicle is having the new engine installed. So that I was not out of a vehicle Hyundai also covered costs and proved a 2019 Tucson while my car is being repaired at this moment. Hopefully all continues to go as well as all has been to this point when I have my vehicle back!
Hi Tom,
Is there a warranty covering the NEW engine now?
Thanks for your assistance.
Wade
Wow, thats amazing because we have the worst dealers around and lie about everything! I’ve complained of the problem,the car loosimg power etc, they tell me nothing is wrong, yet Pulled away and engine light came on Nd now it doesnt go over 30, just loses powe
Hi,
My 2013 sonata stopped in the middle the road and had no warnings. I take my car into the dealership to get serviced and nothing showed up for the recall. I had no warnings and as a woman being stuck in the middle of the road is the worst situation.. I was stuck for about 45 min and couldn’t move anything. In the middle of rush hr. I was able get started and luckily drive to dealership less then half a mile away.
They took my car in couldn’t give an answer.then called telling me I am getting a new engine. I was horrified. This took over a month . I received new engine and the manufacturer doesn’t call me back with answers. This has been an inconvenience for me ! I was told I would be called within a certain time frame and still the dealership called me before the manufacturer. I picked up my car on 6/22/19. I was give my car back hoping I could trust it again. Sunday night 6/23/19 ( today) I get that my engine is over heating.The warnings signals turn on. This is happening on the freeway. I had pull over to ensure nothing was burning. Really not even a week and I am still having issues! Frustrating part is I had to get it towed to dealership( money out my own pocket). I have had the worst experience with this car and do not look forward in Trusting it .This is my situation and I would like make sure everyone I know hear’s about it. People should know that you will have no warnings and just issues.
I have a 2011 Sonata. My engine died with me and my family on the interstate 6/1/2019. We got it back car ran for 1 day and start running hot ( in another city I might add). Took it to get checked out $545 for them to check it out. It’s probably best to trade the car.
Was Your Engine replaced?
My 2013 Hyundai Sonata just shut down on the freeway the motor stoped working and the engine is makeing all kinds of noise it only has 93,000 miles on it will not start agin think motor seized up the oil is fine no waring lights just shut down
Wow! I have almost same problem. All of a sudden check engine light came on, started to make minor noise. Went to get check engine light checked and car wouldn’t start.
Shop says no oil and motor seized. Never received warning oil was low nor did I have oil leaks or was I near ready for an oil change!
What ended up happening on this I submitted a claim but have never heard anything.