Top Class Actions  |  September 25, 2020

Category: Closed Class Actions

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This settlement is closed!

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kia sportage on the road - kia engine failure

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

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224 thoughts onKia Engine Failure Class Action Settlement

  1. Cindy says:

    My 2015 Sorento is a V6. Engine lost all oil without warning. New engine needed. KiA will not cover it because it is not included in settlement. Still making payments on a car that is parked until we can get a replacement engine. Then will get rid of it. Last KIA I will ever buy!

  2. Patricia Schmitt says:

    2019 KIA Sportage – Add me, please.

  3. kelvin williams says:

    I owned a 2011 kia sportage, the engine seized going down the highway. I had it towed to my mechanic and he couldn’t tell me why, other than all my fluids were good and up to date. I called kia consumer dept and followed protocol. I took it to kia dealer and they found metal shavings in oil which was the reason kia and hyndai recalled over a half million cars. I was told the warranty was out because the was over 100,000 miles and there was nothing they could do for me.

    1. Matt H Hamilton says:

      Was just informed by Kia, these motors have a lifetime warranty.

  4. Leah Wooster says:

    2015 Kia Forte needs to be added to this list. My engine blew up for no reason. Now I’m out a car that I’m still making payments on because I can’t afford to fix it.

    1. Megan Christy says:

      I have been paying on my 2015 Kia Sorento with a blown engine for over a year.

    2. Crystal Reid says:

      Yes I had a 2017 Kia Forte engine went out on me

  5. Robert Cusmano says:

    Why was kia forte not included.
    My daughter bought a 2013 forte koup with 20’000 miles.
    The car has been serviced at the same dealer since 2015.
    Car is immaculate.
    It has just over 82’000 and the motor blew on a major highway at 65 mph.
    It was towed to kia dealer and I was told its not covered.
    Spoke to kia consumer affairs for the last 3 weeks,told me they would send a rep to look at car and determine if they could do a good-faith repair.
    Rep denied the claim without even going to dealer. Based it souly on her being 2nd owner and warranty being expired.
    This day and age who buys a car expecting it to last only 80 thousand.

    Same motor as the vehicle’s in the class action.
    Makes no sense,please steer me on the right direction .
    She has no down-payment for a new car and has been borrowing a car for work for 3 weeks now.

    1. Leah Wooster says:

      I’m also dealing with the same exact issues with my forte. Maybe it’s time we start our own class action lawsuit

      1. Shiloh M Kennedy says:

        Yes me also my 2010 kia forte the engine blew at 70,000 miles had 2 get the whole engine replaced!

      2. Shalia says:

        I am dealing with the same exaaaaaaaaaaaact issue !

  6. Tevra says:

    add me

    1. MICHAEL L HERNE says:

      i have 2015 kia soul with a blow engine at 110.000 miles. the car has well maintain the car is only 5,Years old. i am retired cannot afford a new motor

  7. Jackie Farrow says:

    please add me.

  8. Clarese Winton says:

    I own a 2012 Hyundai Tucson. Twice now my engine has failed while going down the freeway with no warning lights or anything coming on. I replace my alternator and still no lights came on. Both times a pinging noise started in my engine. First time it’s subsided and was okay but now the noise is there to stay. Why is my car not warning me before it dies that something is going to happen to it. After having the alternator and the battery replaced, why are my warning lights still do not come on yet there is a loud banging noise in my engine. Am I eligible for this lawsuit? All I want is my car to be fixed and both times my grandchildren were in the vehicle that could have caused the death when the car died on the freeway All I want is for my car to be running safeley.

  9. BRENDA ALDRIDGE says:

    Our 2016 Kia Sorento at less than 35,000 miles had engine failure. Engine had to be replaced at our expense ($8000). No warning lights, nothing. Oil change light still does not come on and never has. Our engine is 3.3 liter. Would we still be in this class action or is there another one?

  10. Benjamin Johnson says:

    Add Me

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