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Hyundai asked a federal judge to dismiss a class action lawsuit which alleges that the company concealed Elantra engine defects.
Plaintiffs claim that Hyundai Elantra vehicles from model years 2011 to 2016 suffer from a piston defect which causes the engine to fail.
The Hyundai Elantra class action alleges that Hyundai knowingly sold vehicles with the defects and violated warranty terms.
However, according to the automaker, the plaintiffs’ cars were old, had high mileage, and may not have been maintained sufficiently by the owners.
Hyundai argues that these factors mean that the owners’ vehicles were no longer eligible for warranty coverage when they reportedly failed.
“They allege that their vehicles’ years-old engines failed after being driven for more than 60,000 miles,” Hyundai Motor America said. “However, they do not allege that they maintained their vehicles at all, let alone in compliance with the terms of the written warranties. Such compliance is a prerequisite to coverage, and they, therefore, have failed to state a claim that HMA breached the express warranties.”
According to plaintiffs in the Hyundai Elantra class action lawsuit, the piston defect most often manifests itself in the form of a knocking or ticking noise.
Other symptoms of the engine defect allegedly include loss of engine power, loss of power steering, loss of break assistance, and sudden stalling in addition to total engine failure.
Repairs for the issue may cost car owners $10,000 because the defect can only be solved by completely replacing the engine.
The Hyundai Elantra class action claims that the defect could be dangerous to consumers and place them at risk for accident, injury, and death if the engine fails while driving.
Plaintiff Elizabeth Brown allegedly experienced the issue with her 2013 Hyundai Elantra. In 2017, Brown reportedly began to hear ticking and knocking from her engine and, a week later, a loud pop was heard from the vehicle before the engine reportedly failed.
Brown says she attempted to file a warranty claim but her claim was denied when the dealer found “oil sludge, which was caused by her failure to timely change the oil in her vehicle,” which Hyundai cites in their motion to dismiss.
Hyundai argues that Brown’s claims should be dismissed because the Hyundai class action lawsuit was filed almost a year after the four year statue of limitations on warranty claims in New Jersey ended.
The dealer argues that the claims by two other plaintiffs, who purchased their vehicles used, experienced alleged engine failure at 72,000+ miles – well over the 60,000 mile limit imposed by the warranty. The fourth plaintiff had his engine replaced by Hyundai under warranty and therefore suffered no injuries or damages, the company claims.
Plaintiffs and the proposed Class are represented by Matthew D. Schelkopf and Joseph B. Kenney of Sauder Schelkopf LLC; Nicholas Migliaccio, Jason Rathod and Esfand Y. Nafisi of Migliaccio & Rathod LLP; and Daniel C. Levin of Levin Sedran & Berman.
The Hyundai Elantra Engine Defect Class Action Lawsuit is Brown, et al. v. Hyundai Motor America, et al., Case No. 2:18-cv-11249, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.
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115 thoughts onHyundai Wants Elantra Engine Defect Class Action Dismissed
I will never buy another Hyundai again. Terrible cars! In 2016, I bought a 2013 Hyundai Ekmatra with 25k miles on it. I needed something reliable, since I am now responsible for my disabled father’s care. I have maintained it well, getting oil changes, replacing filters, etc as needed. Recently stopped running. Hyundai says engine needs to be replaced. $4800. I can’t afford this and I still owe $6k on the loan. Have no idea what I will do. The pandemic put me in a bad position financially too.
I too made the mistake of purchasing a Hyundai Elantra GT 2017. I purchased it used with 41K miles on it. Was told that it came with a 100K warranty -which now I know is not true, this warranty only applies to the original owner. At 77K miles my engine blew, loss of power, dash lights on, smoke, loud noises. Classic Hyundai failure. This happened in June. I have two quotes from Hyundai dealers, 10k and 9K to basically build an engine from start since they cannot locate used engine (who would even want a used Hyundai engine?). The car has been sitting at a repair shop, the owner is an authorized Jasper engine dealer and he has had no luck locating an engine. Meanwhile I continue to make hefty monthly car payments and insurance for a car that I will most likely never drive again. I have no transportation other than my Nike sneakers which are far more reliable than a Hyundai product. They should be banned from selling in the USA.
I literally have the same problem. I bought a used 2017 Elantra gt from Mitsubichi dealer and it had 35k miles . I started having ticking noise from the engine then I had to replace the catalytic converter , then 7 months later I had to replace it again ( good lord I had warranty on it) 2 months later I was driving down the highway and started hearing knocking noise from the engine. I decided to go home since I was close by and the knocking noise was getting louder and louder. I was going down the hill and the engine seized. Put it in neutral and it got me exactly in front of my house. The car wouldn’t start ever since . I read that there is a class action lawsuit against hyundai but for some reason it does not include the 2017 elantra gt . I’m taking to my mechanic so he can check what the actual problem is and go from there. I hope we can find a class action lawsuit. Good luck.
I have 2016 hyundai elantra bought it brand new in June 2015 it has 49,000 miles on it ..I slways had the oil changed my warranty was up in June this year..it just started knocking..the car is not even paid off and they refuse to fix it. Can I get in on this lawsuit.
Bought a 2016 Hyundai Elantra GT. I am at 93K miles on the car, out of no where the engine started knocking. I had to pull over because it finally just shut off. It is driveable but I have had it to 3 different mechanics and they all tell me bad motor. No motors to be found anywhere… Bad year for Motors.. I have a case opened with Hyundai, but have to wait 3-5 business days to even hear back from the “caseworker”….. I still have a 12K loan on the car… and nothing to show for it. there is NO help out there for these instances. The only thing I can do is buy a new car, and add my loan to the new car, which puts me at a major payment per month that I cant afford. TRULY HYUNDAI NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING!!!!
i got same issue
I also have a 2016 Elantra GT. Engine blew at 118,000 miles. Oil Changed every 3000-5000 miles. Always used a lot of oil.
Same! 2016 Elantra stalling,
complete Bearing failure in the motor. 93,000 engine is SHOT! But we bought from an individual. No warranty but this motor needs recalled
2016 Elantra 74k on it. Connecting rods blew through oil pan. Hyundai says too bad.
I purchased a used 2015 Electra and it has the same issues…the car is dead now and I am paying on the 8k loan, I had a warrenty but they are only paying for a used engine, cant find a used engine, wonder why?????? I have been so upset about this, I have no car and out 12K (warranty)
My 2017 Hyundai elantras engine blew up while traveling. I had to spend nearly 10k put of pocket to purchase myself a new engine and to pay for labor.
I purchased a used 2015 Electra and it has the same issues…the car is dead now and I am paying on the 8k loan, I had a warrenty but they are only paying for a used engine, cant find a used engine, wonder why?????? I have been so upset about this, I have no car and out 12K
My 2016 Hyundai had issues from the beginning and 3 yrs later (2019) brake system and engine failure causing me to lose control of the vehicle going 25 miles an hour. Hit a tree and combusted into flames! I’m currently suing
Same goes with us. Since the beginning we had take the car to dealership because of the brakes noise and they charged us to replace the brakes but it kept coming back. Now the engine failed. Where are you suing them?
I have the same problem with my 2016 Elantra GT. At about 72,000 miles my engine started knocking out of nowhere (two weeks ago) and a few miles later stopped accelerating. Once I stopped it it wouldn’t start again. I recently had my oil changed and have perfectly maintained this car, but since I’m the second owner Hyundai would only cover 70% of the $11,000 engine rebuild! Also, why it is so much to rebuild this??? I’d expect this with a Mercedes, but that much for a Hyundai??? This is nuts!
So glad im seeing this going through this with my 2016 hyundai elantra sport and they told me about 12k.
I bought my 2016 Elantra used with 59,000miles I drove it not even a year and it started to have a ticking sound and grew louder and my engine was knocking. It cannot hold rpm pressure or accelerate. I didn’t get a warranty because of bad dealership advice and my car has been sitting for almost a year because I’m young and can’t afford to fix it or get it looked at. It’s COMPLETELY unfair that Hyundai knows they’re selling faulty engines and cannot replace them. I kept up with my car maintenance and took care of my first ever car and it still broke down.