Top Class Actions’s website and social media posts use affiliate links. If you make a purchase using such links, we may receive a commission, but it will not result in any additional charges to you. Please review our Affiliate Link Disclosure for more information.
This settlement is closed!
Please see what other class action settlements you might qualify to claim cash from in our Open Settlements directory!
UPDATE:
- A judge granted final approval to the Kia engine failure settlement May 10, 2021.
- Let Top Class Actions know when you receive a check in the comments section below or on our Facebook page.
Hyundai has agreed to resolve Kia engine failure class action claims in a settlement deal, putting an end to allegations that certain Kia vehicles were equipped with defective engines.
Under the settlement, eligible Kia owners can collect a variety of benefits, including extended warranties, reimbursements, rebates and other compensation.
Owners and lessees of Class vehicles originally equipped with or fitted with a replacement genuine Theta II 2.0-liter or 2.4-liter gasoline direct injection engine are eligible for benefits from this settlement. Class vehicles include:
- 2011-2018 and certain 2019 model year Kia Optima vehicles;
- 2012-2018 and certain 2019 model year Kia Sorento vehicles; and
- 2011-2018 and certain 2019 model year Kia Sportage vehicles.
Plaintiffs in the Kia engine failure class action lawsuit claimed several Hyundai and Kia vehicles were equipped with a defective Theta engine.
The complaint alleged connecting rod bearings in the vehicles’ gasoline direct-injection (GDI) fuel system “undergo a prolonged failure.” When these rod bearings fracture, metal debris allegedly “accumulate in the engine oil,” contaminating it to a point the filter isn’t able to remove it all.
The contaminated oil is therefore circulated by the oil pump, damaging engine components and leading to an eventual “sudden and unexpected catastrophic engine failure,” the class action lawsuit said.
As a result, the vehicles were allegedly prone to engine failures or fires — putting consumers at risk for accidents and financial injury.
Several class action lawsuits were filed against the auto makers — leading the claims to be consolidated into a multidistrict litigation centered in California. Plaintiffs in these actions sought financial damages and other benefits for the injuries they allegedly sustained due to the defective engines.
Hyundai has not admitted to any wrongdoing, but has agreed to resolve the claims surrounding their Kia subsidiary in a settlement deal. Claims surrounding Hyundai engine failure were resolved in a similar deal. The settlements aim to avoid the costs and risks of a trial, but do not assign any wrongdoing to Hyundai.
The Kia engine failure class action settlement provides several forms of monetary and non-monetary benefits including warranty extensions, reimbursement for repairs and other costs, rebates, and other compensation. More information is available in the “Potential Award” section below.
In order to benefit from the Kia engine failure settlement, Class Members must file a valid claim form by Aug. 9, 2021.
For Class Members who experienced engine failure or fire after Aug. 28, 2020, they have until 90 days after the event to file a valid claim form. Claim forms should include documentation of engine failures, repairs, and other relevant information.
The deadline for exclusion and objection is Oct. 30, 2020. The final approval hearing for the Kia engine failure class action settlement is Nov. 13, 2020.
Who’s Eligible
Owners and lessees of a Class vehicle originally equipped with or replaced with a genuine Theta II 2.0 liter or 2.4 liter gasoline direct injection engine. Class vehicles include:
- 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and certain 2019 model year Kia Optima vehicles;
- 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and certain 2019 model year Kia Sorento vehicles; and
- 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and certain 2019 model year Kia Sportage vehicles.
Potential Award
Monetary and non-monetary benefits including the following:
- Warranty Extensions: Powertrain warranties on Class vehicles will be extended to a lifetime warranty.
- Reimbursement for Repairs: Repairs will be reimbursed in full along with a $140 goodwill payment in certain circumstances. Costs of rental cars, towing, and other Kia engine failure related expenses will also be reimbursed.
- Rebates: Rebates are available if consumers lost faith in their vehicles due to an engine failure or fire and purchased a replacement Kia. Rebates will be $2,000 for model year 2011-2012 Class Vehicles; $1,500 for model year 2013 and 2014 Class Vehicles; $1,000 for model year 2015 and 2016 Class Vehicles; and $500 for model year 2017, 2018, and 2019 Class Vehicles.
- Other Compensation: Payments for traded-in vehicles and vehicles involved in an engine fire are available to affected Class Members.
Proof of Purchase
Documentation of engine failures, repairs, and other relevant information.
Claim Form
NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.
Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.
Claim Form Deadline
08/09/2021 UPDATED
While most types of claims have a deadline of Aug. 9, 2021, different types of claims have different deadline requirements. See the claims page on the settlement site for more details.
Case Name
In re: Hyundai and Kia Engine Litigation, Case No. 8:17-cv-00838, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
Final Hearing
11/13/2020
Settlement Website
Claims Administrator
Kia Claims Administrator
c/o Epiq
P.O. Box 3145
Portland, OR 97208-3145
info@KiaEngineSettlement.com
1-855-951-0807
Class Counsel
Matthew D. Schelkopf
SAUDER SCHELKOPF
Adam Gonnelli
THE SULTZER LAW GROUP
Bonner Walsh
WALSH PLLC
Steve Berman
Christopher Pitoun
HAGENS BERMAN SOBOL SHAPIRO LLP
Daniel C. Levin
Adam B. Cohen
LEVIN SADRAN AND BERMAN LLP
Jason S. Rathod
Nicholas Migliaccio
Esfand Nafisi
MIGLIACCIO & RATHOD LLP
Robert Hilliard
HILLIARD MUÑOZ GONZALES LLP
Defense Counsel
Shon Morgan
QUINN EMANUEL URQUHART & SULLIVAN LLP
Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:
224 thoughts onKia Engine Failure Class Action Settlement
I have a Kia 2017 Sportage, The engine has lost power. Loss of compression in the 3rd cylinder. I was told by the dealer that the engine isn’t any good and would need to be replaced for 10K.
I purchased a 2014 Kia rio for my daughter with 30,000 miles. It has been nothing but trouble. Now it has 91.000 miles and the engine needs to be replaced because the roller on the top cam shaft for the fuel pump exploded and trashed the engine. I would really appreciate some help with this matter please she was 980 miles from home when it happened and i rented a car hauler and brought it home. She’s a traveling nurse and now she’s looking for a way to get back and forth to work.
We replaced the engine in our 2015 Kia Sorento as they refused to honor the warranty due to my husband did the oil changes. This was 2018. We did not go through Kia to replace the engine. The mechanic who replaced our engine stated there were metal shavings in the engine. We’ve met many people who were denied warranty coverage due to same issues. When there has been a recall on the engines they refused to work on our car due to the engine replacement was not done by Kia.
I have a 2014 Kia Cadenza that is having some major engine problems! I’ve changed my oil every 2,500 to 3,000 miles and kept the maintenance up on the car! I changed the oil 1400 miles ago and checked the oil about once a week since then! Last week, my car started heating up and white smoke was coming out the back so I pulled over! It was bubbling in the reservoir! When I tried to check to see if the oil was milky, there was barely any oil in it! I had checked it about a week prior to that and topped it off so where did it go? I don’t understand that at all! Now, even though the car will still run, I’m afraid to drive it in fear of breaking down! I drive it responsibly so i honestly believe this car should have been part of the class action and they should replace my motor for free! Is there anything I can do to get this fixed?
Just over 100,000 miles 2016 sorento suddenly losing oil quickly. Check it almost weekly, would take a little at times to top it off. After a 3 hour x2 in one day drive, oil was almost gone. No oil or engine light came on, no codes tripped, no leak observed. Dealer says no recall, will inspect for $190.00. Had catalytic converters replaced around 60,000 miles, in retrospect, possibly due to build up from oil.