A dangerous battery system in Hyundai’s electric vehicles puts vehicles at risk of catching on fire while charging, parked, or driving, a new class action lawsuit alleges.
The class action was filed in California on June 28 by lead Plaintiff Siamak Kermani who alleges that Hyundai Motor America knew about the defect in the 2019-2020 Hyundai Kona Electric and 2020 Hyundai Ioniq Electric, caused by an electrical short inside the battery cell, and refused to do anything about it. Kermani adds that the company told consumers there was no fix.
According to the class action lawsuit, electric vehicle owners were provided with software “updates” that did nothing to repair the defect; were instructed to “have the battery’s state of charge limit lowered to 80 percent to mitigate the risk of fire;” and were advised not to park their vehicles indoors without lowering the charge limit.
Hyundai knew of the problem with the battery, its pervasiveness, and lack of a proper fix for a significant amount of time before the first recall was issued on October 13, 2020, the class action lawsuit claims. Kermani says in the claim that Hyundai continued to sell and lease the affected vehicles to the general public despite the issue.
Attorney Richard Wirtz, of Wirtz Law APC — one of the firms representing Kermani — said Hyundai was the second auto manufacturer in less than a year to sell electric cars with defective battery systems that can catch fire to California consumers.
“The rush to market with new technology needs to be tempered by the safety of our drivers and passengers,” Wirtz said. “If auto makers ignore safety and cannot promptly repair dangerously defective cars to get them off the roads, then California’s Lemon Law is there to protect California buyers to get their money back.”
The allegedly defective batteries were produced by LG Energy Solutions.
Kermani is seeking buyback refunds for the affected vehicles under California’s Lemon Law.
Hyundai isn’t the only car manufacturer facing legal action over issues with electric vehicle batteries. Recently, a New Jersey man filed a class action lawsuit against Mercedes-Benz claiming that his $77,000 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 SUV fails to start and has other problems due to defects in its electrical system and 48-volt batteries.
The lawsuit — which was originally filed in the Superior Court of New Jersey but has since been removed to federal court — alleges Mercedes-Benz knew about the electrical and battery defects with its late-model GLE 450 SUV but has failed to address them, forcing owners to pay for repairs.
In May, Hyundai had to issue two recalls for more than 390,000 vehicles in the United States and Canada over concerns two separate issues could lead to engine fires.
The largest recall included more than 203,000 2013-2015 Santa Fe Sport SUVs, some of which are being recalled for a second time. Hyundai said the vehicles have problems with leaking brake fluid, which can cause an electrical short and spark a fire in the anti-lock brake computers.
Do you own a Hyundai vehicle? Has your vehicle ever been the subject of a recall or faced any issues? Let us know in the comments section!
Don’t Miss Out!
Check out our list of Class Action Lawsuits and Class Action Settlements you may qualify to join!
Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:
- Owners of $84K Exclusive Dodge Demon Muscle Car File Class Action Lawsuit
- Hyundai Genesis SUV Shudders and ‘Uncontrollably Veers,’ Class Action Lawsuit Alleges
- Recall Check: Kia Recalls Optima and Sorento Again, Asking Owners to Park Outside
- Recall Check: Hyundai Recalls More Than 390,000 Vehicles For 2 Issues Linked to Engine Fires
NEC lawsuit: Families take action against Enfamil and Similac baby formula makers
September 10, 2025 | Legal News
12 thoughts onHyundai Hit With Class Action Lawsuit for Alleged Dangerous Battery Defect
Please add me to any action toward Hyundai. My 2017 Tucson BURNED UP on the side of the interstate, stranding me 4.5 hours from home. I’ve been forced to purchase a new vehicle in the absolute worst car market in history…
Hyundai recall #209 was issued on 9/17/21, my car burned up on 10/9/21 and Hyundai will not notify owners until 11/13/21? How is that acceptable?
I have a 2019 Kona EV. I do not live in CA. I would love to join a class action suit. Are there any suits outside of CA or how could I create one?
Have you signed up with a law firm for the Kona class action? I have a 2019 Kona, and my dealership is avoiding my case. steve ostrow 760-613-1963
Please add me I have NEVER seen a recall notice for my 2017 Hyundai Sport, just had to get engine replaced due to “throwing a rod” from pulling out my driveway onto the road!? No one can explain how this happened. Car has been maintained and oil was just changed 3 weeks prior. It has cost me almost $3000.00 to fix, not to mention the expenance of being without a car for 3 months.
Look up recall #209. You can submit receipts back to Hyundai for them to reimburse you. I was not so lucky to just replace the engine. Mine burned up on the interstate.
Im looking for advice and guidance, no negative comments please. my hyundai sonata stopped working while i was driving on the highway and it’s been at A Hyundai dealership since 7/20. I can’t look UP the claim on The actual Hyundai website because I do not have a claim number. The dealership Told me I can “just use my VIN” number – which of course DOES NOT work… like many others- I am VERY VERY ANGRY at what happened- since this was very dangerous and I am lucky to be alive… I want to sue hyundai but dont Know Where to begin, PLUS i want to be re-imbursed FOR all of the out of pocket expenses (tow, and rental cars, etc) that I have paid for. SO: I NEED TO know where TO submit my receipts for these bills etc. CAN anyone help me or guide me on this??? Im very angry, it’s been hard not having A CAR and plus- they KNEW About this and did NOT even ALERT consumers!!!! I want to get some settlement money !!!!!! or something!!! A an APOLOGY!!!! nothing!?? this is insane. can anyone contact me via email? [email protected]
I own a 2019 Kona EV. I would like information on joining the class action lawsuit.
I have a Kona Electric that has been to the dealer for recalls three times and is currently at the dealer for four weeks awaiting a new battery.
Nothing but misleading communication or no response at all from the dealer.
Thank you for providing such an informative essay on automotive engines
Thank you for providing such an informative essay on automotive engines; it is quite beneficial to us.
Please add me to the list for this claim.
Please add me I own a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport.