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Hyundai and Kia have reached a $758 million settlement with car owners who claim that their vehicles suffer from premature engine failure which may cause the cars to burst into flames.
The 10 consolidated Hyundai, Kia class action lawsuits allege that the car companies knew of the defect, but did not disclose this information to customers.
Under the terms of the proposed class action settlement, Class Members may receive numerous benefits, which includes reimbursement for some out-of-pocket costs and repairs, an extension of the Lifetime Warranty, a rebate, and “goodwill payments.”
According to the motion for approval of the class action settlement, the vehicles that are part of this Class include: “all 2011-2018 and certain 2019 model year Hyundai Sonata vehicles, all 2013-2018 and certain 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport vehicles, all 2014-2015, 2018, and certain 2019 Hyundai Tucson vehicles, all 2011-2018 and certain 2019 Kia Optima vehicles, all 2011-2018 and certain 2019 Kia Sorento vehicles, and all 2011-2018 and certain 2019 Kia Sportage vehicles originally equipped with or replaced with a genuine Theta II 2.0 liter or 2.4 liter gasoline direct injection engine within OEM specifications.”
As part of the settlement, Class Members will receive a Lifetime Warranty which will cover costs related to the damage to the vehicles caused by the malfunction of the engine upon completion of the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software update.
Also, Hyundai and Kia will reportedly give loaner vehicles to customers while their cars are being repaired under the Lifetime Warranty. If there isn’t a vehicle available for loan, the defendants will reimburse the customers up to $40 per day for car expenses.
“Should any disputes about coverage under the Lifetime Warranty occur, they will be resolved through the Better Business Bureau’s (‘BBB’) alternative dispute resolution process,” the proposed Kia, Hyundai class action settlement states.
In addition, the class action settlement states that any Class Member that obtained a repair for their Class Vehicle prior to receiving a notice of settlement will qualify for a full reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses.
The proposed motion also states that if warranty coverage was denied in the past, Class Members will now be able to get reimbursed for repairs related to the settlement.
“If a Class member is or was inconvenienced by delays of more than 60 days when obtaining a repair from an authorized Hyundai or Kia dealership, the Class member may submit a claim for a goodwill payment based on the length of delay,” the Hyundai, Kia class action settlement states.
Class Members will receive $50 goodwill payments for delays that last between 61 and 90 days and $25 for each additional 30 days.
Those who experienced the engine defect in their vehicle but decided to sell or trade it in without getting the car repaired will be able to file a claim for reimbursement of the wholesale used vehicle value at the time of loss, along with a $140 goodwill payment.
Hyundai and Kia owners who experienced a vehicle fire due to the alleged defect are able to claim the maximum Black Book value of the car at the time of the fire, plus $140 goodwill payment.
Last, Class Members can obtain a rebate of between $500 and $2,000 if they decide to sell a Class Vehicle in an “arm’s length transaction” if they have experienced an engine failure or engine component fire and purchased a replacement Hyundai or Kia vehicle.
“A rebate is also available to any Class member who, after the notice date, experiences an engine failure or fire in a Class Vehicle, loses faith in their Class Vehicle, and completes all other steps to qualify for the rebate, including the purchase of a replacement Hyundai or Kia vehicle and submission of a claim within 90 days of the engine failure or fire,” the proposed class action settlement states.
Did you purchase a Hyundai or Kia and have problems with the engine? Leave a message in the comments section below.
Top Class Actions will post updates to this class action settlement as they become available. For the latest updates, keep checking TopClassActions.com or sign up for our free newsletter. You can also receive notifications when this article is updated by using your free Top Class Actions account and clicking the “Follow Article” button at the top of the post.
The plaintiffs are represented by Steve Berman of Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP, Matthew D. Schelkopf of Sauder Schelkopf, Adam Gonnelli of The Sultzer Law Group and Bonner Walsh of Walsh PLLC.
The Hyundai, Kia Engine Defect Class Action Lawsuit is In re: Hyundai and Kia Engine Litigation, Case No. 8:17-cv-00838, and Flaherty v. Hyundai Motor Company, et al., Case No. 18-cv-02223, both in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
UPDATE: July 2020, the Hyundai, Kia engine failure class action settlement is now open. Click here to file a claim.
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298 thoughts onHyundai, Kia Agree To $758M Engine Fire Class Action Settlement
My 2014 sonata 2.0t went through 3 engines all of which I had to pay out of pocket for
My 2015 kia Optima 2.4 ex engine just failed as well. Replaced with reman engine
I have a 2011 Kia Sportage I haven’t had any problems as of yet thank God but what should I do to prevent anything from happening I’m a single mother that has an 8 year old daughter.
Ariel Hernandez, Kia recall picture on facebook! Follow me and share your story.
I purchased a 2013 Kia Sportage back in 2016 . On Aug 31,2019 I was driving on the highway and my engine caught on fire. Kia is giving me the run around saying my warranty expired and they can’t help me. My insurance will not cover it because they say it’s mechnical . I see this lawsuit and I feel I need justice as well. Now I am stuck with this car and they said it would cost 8200 dollars to get it fixed. I have another kia car but now that car not is almost $100 more a month. I hope someone reads my post and reach out to me me and my child and future husband was in the car when this happened and we could have lost our lifes. I am praying for a miracle I was in the process of purchasing a home and now I can’t becuase this car is on my credit and Kia will not help me and this is so sad .
Our 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.0t just experienced the engine failure in September 2019. Vehicle went into LIMP mode while my wife was merging onto the Interstate and almost caused an accident. The Engine was replaced, but now we are experiencing other failures with sensors and pumps due to the engine replacement and are having to cover them with our extended warranty.
I find it completely unacceptable that Hyundai new of this issue and failed to report it to the consumer. Someone should be in jail. Please make me part of this class action suit.
I have a 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe sport, what should I do to prevent this from happening?! I have a toddler in it all the time and a newborn on the way! Can’t afford to buy a new car!
My 2008 Kia Magentis literally went up in flames while I was driving it. It had recently been to my regular mechanic whom said my car appeared to be in very good shape with extremely low mileage and said I should be able to get at least two more years out of my vehicle. 2 weeks later the engine stared to make noise, which got progressively louder. It then started smoking while on a busy hwy, then went up it flames. I quickly got out, but the car was determined by my insurance company to be a write off.
My wife’s 2014 kia forte blew up while we were driving. Only had 17k miles on it. Wife is still traumatized.
My 2011 Kia Sorento completely loses rpms on the interstate and I have to pull over and shut it off and back on. This has happened several times and had to coast off the highway to not cause and accident. Several times I have pulled up to a red light or stop sign and it completely lately shuts off. Terrible experience
I have a 2013 Kia Optima that burns 3.5 quarts of oil in 1200 miles. I have had the oil consumption test and I was told Kia will not replace the engine until it breaks down. I called corporate and they told me the same thing. I am supposed to risk my family’s life on the road .. So I have to check my oil every week to make sure it is still there. Two month ago it only was only burning 1.5 quarts of oil in 2000 miles. I am afraid my engine is going to go while driving. The oil smells like gasoline. I was also told by the service manager not to go on a trip with this car! Wow and they would not replace the engine… So wrong.
I currently have a 2013 Hyundai sonata, bought in 2015. A few months back I was driving home and all of a sudden my cars lights (brake, engine, gas etc.) started flashing and a warning came across my car basically telling me to stop. I was on the interstate and my brakes and gas pedal had given out. Luckily I was near an exit and able to cruise off of it and into a medical plaza to “park”. I ended up getting the car towed to the dealership and they told me I needed a new radiator. I got that replaced $800 (I don’t have documentation in front of me right now) and had no further issues with the car. I got oil changes regularly (not always at the dealership). In about August, I had another problem with the steering wheel locking up. The dealership wanted to charge me $300+ plus to fix it. Luckily, I knew a mechanic who fixed it for only the cost of the part. ($1.50) In November, I was headed on base to work and all of a sudden I saw smoke coming out of my tail pipe. I drove onto the base and pulled over at the gas station. The smoke was so strong that one of the employees in the store smelled it and came out. They took a look and said it looked like there was a hole in the pipe where the coolant flows through, but all my fluids were still full. He called the car repair shop on the base and they told us to bring the car there. After they looked at it they said it looks like the hose just needs to be replaced. However; because it was a hybrid, they did not want to work on it. I attempted to drive it home and before I could get there it started rattling out of control. I immediately pulled over and called a tow truck to tow it to the dealership. The dealership called and told me I needed a new engine. The cost would be $4066+ tax for the bottom and then if they shipped the top off and found it defected it would be another $1300. There are SEVERAL recalls out for Hyundai sonatas due to unexpected engine failures; however, every time I call the dealership they say my vehicle isn’t one of them. I would like a second opinion. The car is not even worth the amount it would cost to fix it. PLEASE ADD ME