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. Rebecca Rishel says:

    I purchased a 2013 kia sportage going down the road it just shut off no warning my motor seized it has 125000 miles on it kia says they cant help me and my vin is not covered by recall so we pulled oil pan at my local garage it is full of shaving dont kbow what to do at this point

  2. Robert Johnston says:

    I have a 2016 kia soul with 2.0 motor. Does this apply?

  3. Jacqueline Washington says:

    This is driving me crazy please add and help me. I have been back forth up and down. Scared to death every time I go out here to this vehicle. No I have no faith. And wish I had known the troubles because I would NEVER LET MY DAUGHTER CHOSE THIS AS A GRADUATION GIFT. JUST A BUCKET OF BAD

  4. Thomas Hare says:

    Please add me..My 2015 Kia Optima engine blew at 51,000 miles

  5. Shalia says:

    Yes My 2015 Kia forte engine went out at only 86,000 ! My car service was up -to-date. The same motor that is in the lawsuit is the same motor i had in the car. I am second owner to the car and my warranty expired. Lets start our own CLASS ACTION ! THEY HAVE TO BE STOPPED FOR THESE FAULTY ENGINES. SERIOUSLY !

    1. Emily Smith says:

      I have a 2015 Kia Forte too and they told me I need a new engine!!

  6. JM says:

    I have a 2016 Kia Sorrento that had the warning light go on and the error code was to replace the engine. They did some kind of reset at the dealership but I remain suspicious about my engine and would rather have the piece of mind for a lifetime warranty (that I can transfer). I bought my Kia used from a Toyota dealership so I wouldnt necessarily expect to get a Kia notification about this lawsuit (which I didnt).

    If Kia wants to invest in its reputation it should do as much as possible to keep the loyalty and confidence for its owners. Btw, there’s a big price jump in the Kia Sorrent 2021 new model so clearly they’re planning to keep going up-market.

  7. Kelly watson says:

    I purchased a 2013 Kia Sportage july 2020, engine blew no warning lights no previous issues at all, the vehicle has 87,000 on, has been annually maintained by previous owner, had the correct amount of oil in. Kia have refused to replace the engine as the VIN No is not on the recall list, consumer affairs have informed me today the cost will be $7500,

  8. Tammy Nash says:

    Add me please

  9. Kay says:

    They sent me two because I had 2 kia cars well a car and truck u are automatically included in the lawsuit if u received the post cards in then mail which was 2 months ago

  10. Melody Hackett says:

    have a 2017 Kia Sorento I don’t get why the dealership hasn’t contacted me or a recall hasn’t been sent anyone here i can talk to about this ??? Add me

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Please note: Top Class Actions is not a settlement administrator or law firm. Top Class Actions is a legal news source that reports on class action lawsuits, class action settlements, drug injury lawsuits and product liability lawsuits. Top Class Actions does not process claims and we cannot advise you on the status of any class action settlement claim. You must contact the settlement administrator or your attorney for any updates regarding your claim status, claim form or questions about when payments are expected to be mailed out.