Hyundai, Kia settlement involving 2.1M vehicles with defective engines gets initial approval

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Update:

• A California federal judge approved a class action settlement to resolve claims that a defect inside certain Hyundai and Kia vehicles can expose owners to the risk of sudden failure and vehicle fires.
• On Feb. 8, U.S. District Judge Josephine L. Staton granted a motion for preliminary approval to the deal, which includes reimbursements for repairs and extended warranties for about 2.1 million vehicles.
• The settlement specifically calls for an extended warranty for free inspections and necessary repairs for 15 years or 150,000 miles, recalls and product improvements for certain models, reimbursement for qualifying repairs at authorized shops, goodwill payments for inconvenience due to repair delays and reimbursement for expenses related to transportation, lodging and meals for class members stranded by a qualifying failure or fire.
• The Hyundai and Kia class action lawsuit settlement applies to owners of Hyundai cars 2013-2019 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport and the 2011-2019 Hyundai Sonata. Affected Kia models are the 2012-2019 Kia Sorento, the 2011-2019 Kia Optima, the 2012-2019 Kia Soul and the 2011-2019 Kia Sportage.

(Dec. 18, 2018)

A new class action lawsuit argues a defect in certain Hyundai and Kia vehicles can expose owners to the risk of sudden failure and vehicle fires.

The Hyundai and Kia class action lawsuit alleges more than 350 complaints were already filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) over this engine failure, but the manufacturers have failed to correct the problem.

The plaintiffs in the class action against Hyundai and Kia argue owners are put at risk of being seriously hurt in an accident if the vehicle suddenly catches fire. Further, the plaintiffs say the makers of the car either knew or should have known about the alleged defect, but failed to disclose it to the public.

The alleged defect named in the Hyundai and Kia class action lawsuit has to do with the gasoline direct injection engines in certain Kia and Hyundai models. The alleged defect causes problems with the flow of oil to the moving parts in the engine, presenting a fire risk.

The parts can break apart and puncture a hole in the vehicle engine, according tot he class action lawsuit, which can ignite a major fire. The oil is supposed to flow to bearings and connecting rods without an issue, but engine seizure represents an immediate risk of vehicle breakdown and a blaze.

Attorneys representing the plaintiffs in this Hyundai and Kia class action lawsuit say, “Hyundai and Kia are putting their own consumers in grave danger of spontaneous fires, loss of property, and personal injury, and alarmingly they have also chosen to actively conceal the defect.”

Models impacted in this Hyundai and Kia class action lawsuit include Hyundai cars 2013-2019 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport and the 2011-2019 Hyundai Sonata. Affected Kia models are the 2012-2019 Kia Sorento, the 2011-2019 Kia Optima, the 2012-2019 Kia Soul, and the 2011-2019 Kia Sportage.

If these vehicles catch fire, total loss of the car, property damage, or even personal injury for those involved in a crash can result, say the plaintiffs.

The Hyundai and Kia class action lawsuit seeks to recover losses vehicle owners have already experienced due to this problem, such as car rental, expensive repairs, towing charges, car payments and time off work.

Further, the plaintiffs in the Hyundai and Kia class action lawsuit allege that they did not get the benefit the bargained for by purchasing these vehicles since the maker of the cars never warned them about the risks and dangers.

Congress has asked that representatives from these companies answer questions about the issue, but as of yet, car manufacturer representatives have failed to do so.

The plaintiffs who filed the Hyundai and Kia class action lawsuit also seek injunctive relief options that could lead to an order to the automakers to recall, repair, or replace the impacted vehicles so that drivers do not face the risks of complete engine failure and a resulting fire.

The plaintiffs in the Hyundai class action lawsuit are represented by Christopher R. Pitoun and Steve W. Berman of Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP.

The Hyundai Class Action Lawsuit is Leslie Flaherty et al., v. Hyundai Motor Company et al., Case No. 8:18-cv-02223, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

UPDATE: On Oct. 11, 2019, Hyundai and Kia 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.

Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:

• Honda issues “Do Not Drive” warning for cars equipped with Takata Alpha driver-side airbag inflators
• Chrysler Pacifica class action alleges vehicles contain dangerous shutdown risk
• Automobile companies Volvo, BMW, Mercedes issue recalls in December, January
• Mazda class action lawsuit alleges defective valve stem seals allow oil leakage