Kia Class Action Lawsuit Overview:
- Who: Plaintiffs Michael Le Beau, Phillis Le Beau, and David Griesemer have filed a Kia class action lawsuit.
- Why: The plaintiffs allege 2016-2017 Optimas and 2017 Sportages have a defective power window system that can pose a safety hazard to drivers and occupants.
- Where: The Kia class action lawsuit was filed in California federal court.
Certain Kia Optima and Sportage vehicles have a dangerous power window system defect that poses a safety hazard to drivers and occupants, according to a recent Kia class action lawsuit.
Plaintiffs Michael Le Beau, Phillis Le Beau, and David Griesemer allege that 2016-2017 Optimas and 2017 Sportages have a defective power window system that may cause the automatic windows to malfunction or be non-operational over time. In some cases, the window may fall down into the car doors and cannot be rolled up again.
Malfunctioning automatic windows can pose a number of risks for vehicle drivers and occupants, the Kia class action lawsuit alleges. The plaintiffs note that windows protect occupants from ejection during a crash and provide an emergency exit if the doors are damaged during a crash.
Additionally, the Kia class action lawsuit says operable side windows are important for side airbag function, protection against theft, and to prevent health risks when a vehicle is parked in a hot climate.
Kia class action says automaker knew of defect but failed to issue recall or notify consumers
Kia has reportedly identified the cause of the power window system defect as being due to a window regulator drum gear separating and/or breaking. Kia has issued technical service bulletins regarding the defect, and the power window system defect is allegedly a widespread topic of complaint on message boards and in complaints to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Despite knowing about this dangerous defect, the automaker has not offered a recall or fix, the Kia class action lawsuit says.
Instead, the plaintiffs say they have been forced to pay hundreds of dollars out-of-pocket for the repairs.
Kia continues to sell the allegedly defective vehicles without notifying potential buyers about the problem, the Kia class action lawsuit says.
The Kia class action lawsuit asserts claims for breach of the implied warranty of merchantability, fraud/fraudulent omission, unjust enrichment, and violations of various states’ consumer protection laws.
Kia has recently announced a recall of some of its Optima vehicles because the headliner plates in the vehicles’ ceilings can allegedly detach and hit occupants.
Do you own or lease one of the vehicles named in this Kia class action lawsuit? Let us know if you’ve experienced the alleged power window system defect in the comments!
The plaintiffs are represented by Robertm Ahdoot, Tina Wolfson, and Theodore Maya of Ahdoot & Wolfson PC and Riley W. Prince of Barnow and Associates PC.
The Kia Class Action Lawsuit is Michael Le Beau, et al. v. Kia America Inc., Case No. 8:22-cv-01545, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, Southern Division.
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:
Legal help for mental harm caused by social media addiction in young users
May 6, 2026 | social media
89 thoughts onKia class action alleges Optima, Sportage vehicles contain dangerous, defective power window system
On my 2016 Kia Optima I have had to replace the window drums on all 4 windows. Fortunately, i had a friend who was a mechanic and told me which parts to buy. But sometimes the parts had to be modified to fit properly and the cables had to be replaced as well. Now the two back windows are failing again and my friend is not willing to do the replacements all over again. This is expensive and absurd. Am i going to have to do this every couple of years in perpetuity? Frustrated!
I have a 2016 Kia Optima and both my rear windows fell due to the regulator issue and Kia wants to charge $1000 a window to fix. I have filed a complaint with Kia and was told yesterday they won’t fix it. I also filed a complaint with the NHTSA . Kia knows this an issue and refuses to fix it.
I have 2 bones to pick with Kia about my 2016 KIA Optima, one is the window regulators, of which I’ve had to have 3 replaced at a cost of over $2000 at a Kia dealership, (which, for a 77 year old retiree is somewhat of a challenge), and the 2nd is unfortunately my Optima came with the 2.4 engine which was recalled, and after I had taken in for the repair,,,it still leaked engine oil,,,,,and STILL is! Sadly, not correcting their obvious defective window regulator motors and defective engine IS totally irresponsible and only bring shame and ill will toward their company.
I have a 2016 Kia optima. All four of my windows are not working. I’d been like that for almost three years. I have tape on it that’s how is holding up. I’ve been to the dealer. But they don’t care. I tried to get them to fix it. But they said is not a recall. I don’t think is fair for me to pay to get it fixed if it was a manufacturing mistake on their part. I hope that somebody can do something about this situation. I can’t even open them to get fresh air or somebody might steal it
I have a KIA Sportage 2017 and three of my windows stopped working. I had one fixed at the cost of about $400. The other two, I put a wedge in between the door and glass to prevent them from falling down. I had to go the the KIA dealer in Port Charlotte today and asked if there was ever a recall on the window motor (did not know the correct name) and she told me there was a recall on a Window Regulator drum gear but wasn’t sure if that was my problem. Told me to google it!!! I did, and bingo, that’s exactly what my problem is.
I have spent over $1000 getting one window fixed on my 2017 Sportage and today another window doesn’t work. I had an appointment to sell it today and now canceled because I have to deal with fixing another window. Grrrrr.
I’ve had issues with me Kia 2017 windows since before the warranty ran out but the windows would work when again when I took it to the Kia dealer, they said they were fine. The issue wasn’t fixed. Then last year 2 windows fully stopped working, I was charged $200 but they only lubricated the windows so they started working but stopped right away. I’m in VA, does anyone know of a class action lawsuite here? I would love to join.