Hyundai, Kia Class Action Alleges Sudden Engine Failure

A class action lawsuit filed against Hyundai and Kia claims the companies installed gasoline direct injection engines into certain vehicles which later caused “catastrophic” defects.

The plaintiffs allege that due to the defective nature of these engines, some Hyundai and Kia vehicles are subject to sudden engine failure.

If this sudden engine failure occurs while the vehicle is in motion, it reportedly poses a serious risk of accidents, injury, vehicle damage, and even driver and passenger death.

Additionally, the Hyundai class action states that the defective engines can burst into flames spontaneously, even if there is not a collision to prompt the fire.

Vehicles allegedly affected by this defect are 2011-2019 Hyundai Sonata, 2013-2019 Hyundai Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport, 2011-2019 Kia Optima and Kia Sportage, and 2012-2019 Kia Sorento or Kia Soul vehicles that were equipped with 2.0-liter or 2.4-liter engines.

Some of these models were reportedly subject to “inadequate” recalls in 2015 and 2017, but others remain on the market.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reportedly states that more than 6 million Hyundai and Kia vehicles have been affected by the engine defect since 2015.

The NHTSA launched a formal investigation into several Hyundai and Kia vehicles in April 2019. The investigation will reportedly look into whether or not 2011-2014 Hyundai Sonata and Santa Fe, 2011-2014 Kia Optima and Sorento, and 2010-2015 Kia Soul vehicles have a defective engine.

In addition to the NHTSA reports and investigation, Hyundai and Kia have reportedly received more than 3,125 documented reports of fire-related problems with their vehicles.

The Kia class action states that this number includes fire-related incidents not sparked by a collision, melted wires in the engine bay, engine smoke, rattling metal noises, and burning odors from the engine.

The Hyundai, Kia class action claims that the companies knew about the dangerous defects that plagued their engines, but chose to conceal the issue to protect their bottom line.

Federal prosecutors are reportedly investigating if Hyundai and Kia committed crimes by failing to properly conduct their recalls, leaving “numerous” at risk vehicles on the road. Other countries such as South Korea are reportedly also taking action to investigate the automakers.

Although authorities are taking action against the companies, the consumers in the class action seek to hold them accountable for their alleged deception and concealment.

The class action brings 16 counts of consumer and business law violations from several states, including California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas.

The consumers seek to represent a Class of consumers who bought, leased, or own 2011-2019 Hyundai Sonata, 2013-2019 Hyundai Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport, 2011-2019 Kia Optima, 2012-2019 Kia Sorento, 2012-2019 Kia Soul, and 2011-2019 Kia Sportage vehicles.

The consumers also seek to represent several statewide Classes of the same consumers from California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas, respectively.

The Hyundai Kia engine failure class action lawsuit seeks actual damages, compensatory damages, general damages, special damages, incidental damages, statutory damages, punitive damages, consequential damages, disgorgement, interest, court costs, and attorneys’ fees.

Plaintiffs and the proposed Class are represented by Richard D. McCune, Derek Y. Brandt, and Leigh M. Perica of McCune Wright Arevalo LLP.

The Hyundai Kia Engine Defect Class Action Lawsuit is Elliston, et al. v. Hyundai Motor Company, et al., Case No. 2:19-cv-04684, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

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