Top Class Actions’s website and social media posts use affiliate links. If you make a purchase using such links, we may receive a commission, but it will not result in any additional charges to you. Please review our Affiliate Link Disclosure for more information.
This settlement is closed!
Please see what other class action settlements you might qualify to claim cash from in our Open Settlements directory!
UPDATE:
- A judge granted final approval to the Kia engine failure settlement May 10, 2021.
- Let Top Class Actions know when you receive a check in the comments section below or on our Facebook page.
Hyundai has agreed to resolve Kia engine failure class action claims in a settlement deal, putting an end to allegations that certain Kia vehicles were equipped with defective engines.
Under the settlement, eligible Kia owners can collect a variety of benefits, including extended warranties, reimbursements, rebates and other compensation.
Owners and lessees of Class vehicles originally equipped with or fitted with a replacement genuine Theta II 2.0-liter or 2.4-liter gasoline direct injection engine are eligible for benefits from this settlement. Class vehicles include:
- 2011-2018 and certain 2019 model year Kia Optima vehicles;
- 2012-2018 and certain 2019 model year Kia Sorento vehicles; and
- 2011-2018 and certain 2019 model year Kia Sportage vehicles.
Plaintiffs in the Kia engine failure class action lawsuit claimed several Hyundai and Kia vehicles were equipped with a defective Theta engine.
The complaint alleged connecting rod bearings in the vehicles’ gasoline direct-injection (GDI) fuel system “undergo a prolonged failure.” When these rod bearings fracture, metal debris allegedly “accumulate in the engine oil,” contaminating it to a point the filter isn’t able to remove it all.
The contaminated oil is therefore circulated by the oil pump, damaging engine components and leading to an eventual “sudden and unexpected catastrophic engine failure,” the class action lawsuit said.
As a result, the vehicles were allegedly prone to engine failures or fires — putting consumers at risk for accidents and financial injury.
Several class action lawsuits were filed against the auto makers — leading the claims to be consolidated into a multidistrict litigation centered in California. Plaintiffs in these actions sought financial damages and other benefits for the injuries they allegedly sustained due to the defective engines.
Hyundai has not admitted to any wrongdoing, but has agreed to resolve the claims surrounding their Kia subsidiary in a settlement deal. Claims surrounding Hyundai engine failure were resolved in a similar deal. The settlements aim to avoid the costs and risks of a trial, but do not assign any wrongdoing to Hyundai.
The Kia engine failure class action settlement provides several forms of monetary and non-monetary benefits including warranty extensions, reimbursement for repairs and other costs, rebates, and other compensation. More information is available in the “Potential Award” section below.
In order to benefit from the Kia engine failure settlement, Class Members must file a valid claim form by Aug. 9, 2021.
For Class Members who experienced engine failure or fire after Aug. 28, 2020, they have until 90 days after the event to file a valid claim form. Claim forms should include documentation of engine failures, repairs, and other relevant information.
The deadline for exclusion and objection is Oct. 30, 2020. The final approval hearing for the Kia engine failure class action settlement is Nov. 13, 2020.
Who’s Eligible
Owners and lessees of a Class vehicle originally equipped with or replaced with a genuine Theta II 2.0 liter or 2.4 liter gasoline direct injection engine. Class vehicles include:
- 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and certain 2019 model year Kia Optima vehicles;
- 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and certain 2019 model year Kia Sorento vehicles; and
- 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and certain 2019 model year Kia Sportage vehicles.
Potential Award
Monetary and non-monetary benefits including the following:
- Warranty Extensions: Powertrain warranties on Class vehicles will be extended to a lifetime warranty.
- Reimbursement for Repairs: Repairs will be reimbursed in full along with a $140 goodwill payment in certain circumstances. Costs of rental cars, towing, and other Kia engine failure related expenses will also be reimbursed.
- Rebates: Rebates are available if consumers lost faith in their vehicles due to an engine failure or fire and purchased a replacement Kia. Rebates will be $2,000 for model year 2011-2012 Class Vehicles; $1,500 for model year 2013 and 2014 Class Vehicles; $1,000 for model year 2015 and 2016 Class Vehicles; and $500 for model year 2017, 2018, and 2019 Class Vehicles.
- Other Compensation: Payments for traded-in vehicles and vehicles involved in an engine fire are available to affected Class Members.
Proof of Purchase
Documentation of engine failures, repairs, and other relevant information.
Claim Form
NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.
Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.
Claim Form Deadline
08/09/2021 UPDATED
While most types of claims have a deadline of Aug. 9, 2021, different types of claims have different deadline requirements. See the claims page on the settlement site for more details.
Case Name
In re: Hyundai and Kia Engine Litigation, Case No. 8:17-cv-00838, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
Final Hearing
11/13/2020
Settlement Website
Claims Administrator
Kia Claims Administrator
c/o Epiq
P.O. Box 3145
Portland, OR 97208-3145
info@KiaEngineSettlement.com
1-855-951-0807
Class Counsel
Matthew D. Schelkopf
SAUDER SCHELKOPF
Adam Gonnelli
THE SULTZER LAW GROUP
Bonner Walsh
WALSH PLLC
Steve Berman
Christopher Pitoun
HAGENS BERMAN SOBOL SHAPIRO LLP
Daniel C. Levin
Adam B. Cohen
LEVIN SADRAN AND BERMAN LLP
Jason S. Rathod
Nicholas Migliaccio
Esfand Nafisi
MIGLIACCIO & RATHOD LLP
Robert Hilliard
HILLIARD MUÑOZ GONZALES LLP
Defense Counsel
Shon Morgan
QUINN EMANUEL URQUHART & SULLIVAN LLP
Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:
224 thoughts onKia Engine Failure Class Action Settlement
2016 Kia Optima SX turbo 4cyl auto.excessvie oil consumption. The vehicle was taken to dealership on serval occasions about this issue was told there wasn’t anything wrong with the oil consumption that it was normal. On the last visit before engine blew was told that this engine was known for this problem the only thing I could do was to keep an eye on oil or trade in the car.
My wife and I is leasing our 2016 Kia Sedona lx. Don’t know if this is related to anything but, it’s in the shop now for a blown head gasket. The mechanic started dismantling it and found that as he was taking off the head bolts the inner threading came out with the bolt. They called the dealership to see if they can purchase the block it’s self. And they had told them that they don’t and would have to purchase the whole motor, and even if they did they won’t be able to sell it do to they’re selling like hot cakes to the same problem.
I bought a 2014 Kia Sportage and I have had no issues with it. I’ve owned it for 8 years and have been diligent about oil changes, etc. Last week as I was on driving on the highway, my car lost power, and the check engine light came on. I coaxed it to a gas station doing 40 mph on a 45 mph highway (my flashers were on). The car would stall out and then I could get it to go and basically limped to a gas station. I was towed home.
I took it to the dealership (where it was purchased) for repair. They told me the engine was blown and needed to be replaced. I don’t even have 60,000 miles on my car. I was also told that it could take up to 5 weeks before they could repair it. This should be covered under the 10-year warranty but they haven’t told me anything. There were four other KIA’s in the shop for blown engines. Something is wrong.
I have a only me owned 2020 KIA Soul that engine blew while on highway December 13 2021. They have had it in 5-6 times since then. I’ve been in a loaner more then I have had my car. After 2 used engine swaps the engineer continues to say now that its spark plugs then this last time they say nothing is wrong. They hooked a special computer he took the shop. They won’t even let the guy in the Kia shop help me. It continues to have engine light turn on and then it starts to raddle and tick. I honestly thought it was finally fixed til last month and this was his answer. Nothing is wrong with it!?! I have PTDS and this experience has made it worse because I fear diving and breaking down when it has blown and then broke down on high multiple times after. I shouldn’t be scared to drive I bought it for the safety figures. I’m scared to get rid of it and put this pain on anyone else. Why can’t they just replace the car or buy it back!!! All this started over a recalled piston ring that they inspected and passed me and sent me on my way. 5 months later the car blew up on highway. Hole in the bottom and everything. I need help. This is taking a toll on my mental state.
I have a only me owned 2020 KIA that engine blew while on highway December 13 2021. They have had it in 5-6 times since then. I’ve been in a loaner more then I have had my car. After 2 used engine swaps the engine continues to say its spark plugs then this last time they say nothing is wrong. They hooked a special computer he took the shop. They won’t even let the guy in the Kia shop help me. It continues to have engine light turn on and then it starts to raddle and tick. I honestly thought it was finally fixed til last month and this was his answer. Nothing is wrong with it!?! I have PTDS and this experience has made it worse because I fear diving and breaking down when it has blown and then broke down on high multiple times after. I shouldn’t be scared to drive I bought it for the safety figures. I’m scared to get rid of it and put this pain on anyone else. Why can’t they just replace the car or buy it back!!! All this started over a recalled piston ring that they inspected and passed me and sent me on my way. 5 months later the car blew up on highway. Hole one the bottom and everything. I need help. This is taking a toll on my mental state.
I have a 2014 Kia Forte,
77,626 miles. I just spent $600, only to be told I need a new engine..$6000. My problem, is foreign particles in the engine, and a stalling vehicle. Same as what is in the lawsuit, only my year is a 2014!!! What can I do?????
I traded my 2016 Ford Fusion to a dealership n they lied n gave me a fake car fax nc2014 Kia Soul With engine issue from previous owner knowing iit was the crankshaft sending unit leaking oil n when I called bbb the made a fake bill for a oil pan repair leak but denied an oil leak 3 days after trade
Carfax had no issue reported on engine recall or anything they charged 80 for transferring tags. Which should have been 2.dollars
I have lost my trade in n having to file bank rupt bcause they want me to pay bank loan n I refuse Stay away from ford dealership s……,,,,,,,
Hi, we bought a 2016 Kia Soul, the check engine light came on and immediately the engine blew. The next day we got a letter about a software update that could cause serious engine failure. Well we were 6k miles this was April 5, 2021, we final had the 4,500k to replace the engine April 5, of 2022, it needs the update in the used engine. Jenkins Kia of Gainesville, Fl. Still hasn’t taken care of the software issue. I refuse to spend a dime having that car towed. I’ve spent 600$, we only paid 10k for the card we had it 3 years before the motor blew. All I can say is can someone plz tell me what attorneys to contact for the class action law suits??
Call your dealership and check to see if you got the knock sensor update installed. If so, kia has to pay for your new engine. Same thing happened to mine
Hi there, same problem here and they claim owner negligence but the warranty states that anyone can change the oil so I have some gaps in between on paperwork but my last oil change was fine and that was one month prior to my engine stopping. This is bull and I was not included in any class actions
I have a 2016 Kia Sorento and this is the second time I have to replace the engine. The first engine blew up on the highway on a Saturday after just receiving an oil change and inspections from my local kia dealership that Wednesday and they did nothing. So I took it to the place where I purchased it and ended up having to buy a used engine. I replaced the engine in 2020 before the class action. I paid 4500 for the first engine which was returned through class action law suit but now they will not honor the lifetime warranty that it comes with. They want me to pay 8500 for another engine. Absolutely not. I will never buy another Kia. This is the worst experience ever.
I owned a 2013 Kia Sportage. My engine died on me at the gas station on January 5, 2021. I only had 57,000 miles on the vehicle. The dealership where I purchased the vehicle presented me with a warranty on the vehicle. When I tried to request replacement of the engine from the dealership, was denied. I then contacted Kia directly and was denied again. I then found out about the class action suit. I filed a claim, submitting the supporting documents and claim form on February 24, 2021, Since then, I ended getting another vehicle and have not heard anything regarding the class action submission. Yet, last April, I received a notice from Kia regarding a product improvement campaign. Meanwhile, I’m out of thousands of dollars. I will NEVER purchase a KIA anything.
my car has been sitting at dealership for a month, I’m being told we did not respond to claim before the dead line of Nov. 2021. I never received notification and now because its all been settled looks like I will have to hire my own attorney and sue to get my car fixed or pay 5000.00 for a new motor. I loved KIA and have never had any problems until my daughter was driving with my grandchildren and the check engine light came on and car making aweful noise. Now KIA is saying my responsibility to pay to fix it. Very sad this company knows they had bad engines form the start and refuse to take responsibility for placing my family in danger. I will never buy another KIA product and will not pay for a car to be fixed they are responsible for.
I had the same exact experience as all of you on this thread. My 2014 Sorento seized on the highway after replacing 2 oil pan switches. I never received the class action suit notice. This all happened in April 2021. I called Kia consumer affairs, etc. Sat at the dealership for months until they told me I would be charged storage fees. Junked the car because I was not going to ink anymore money into it, only to receive the letter 6 mos later that it all would be covered.
I’m having the same issues can I get your attorneys information, thanks
My 2016 sorento caught fire in my driveway after not being driven over 12 hours December 2019. I submitted all my paperwork and was finally approved in December of 2021 for the settlement. Then had to wait for an arbitration deadline to pass. Now I’ve just heard that I am supposed to allow 12-14 weeks to receive my check. Has anyone received theirs? If so, how long did you have to wait after your final deadline passing to receive it?
Who told you 12-14 weeks?!?
It took well over a year for me, after submitting proof. And my partner’s took even longer.