A recent Kia, Hyundai class action lawsuit claims that the automakers equipped their vehicles with defective airbags that fail to deploy.
Various Kia and Hyundai vehicles allegedly contain defective airbags manufactured by ZF TRW.
The control units for these airbags reportedly fail to deploy airbags in the event of a crash. The Kia class action claims that this can be deadly if a life-saving airbag does not deploy during a collision.
According to the Hyundai class action, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that around 12.3 million vehicles may be equipped with a defective airbag control unit.
Kia, Hyundai vehicles allegedly equipped with the defective airbags include the 2013 Kia Forte, 2013 Kia Forte Koup, 2013-2019 Kia Optima, 2012-2016 Kia Optima Hybrid, 2014 Kia Sedona, 2013-2019 Hyundai Sonata, and 2013-2019 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid vehicles.
Kia, Hyundai, and ZF TRW reportedly investigated the defective airbag control units between 2011 and 2015, but failed to inform the NHTSA of the issue until late 2015. Consumers were allegedlynot informed of the issue until 2018 when Kia and Hyundai recalled some of their vehicles.
While the automakers have been hesitant in announcing the defect, there have reportedly been several injuries and deaths. The class action points to an Associated Press article that states that there have been at least four deaths resulting from the airbag defect.
Plaintiff Jennifer Johnson says she purchased a 2014 Hyundai Sonata for $18,000 in 2015. Johnson claims that she received no information about the โdefective and potentially dangerous airbag control unitโ and has not had the defective component replaced.
Johnson argues that she and other consumers would not have purchased their vehicles if they had known about the defective airbag control unit. As a result, Johnson says Kia and Hyundai car owners have sustained financial injury.
โEach purchaser or lessee of an affected vehicle paid more than they would have if the truth about the ACU defect had been disclosed to them,โ the Kia, Hyundai class action lawsuit argues. โMeanwhile, each Defendant profited from the continued installation of defective parts in new vehicles and the delay in recalling their dangerously defective products.โ
Johnson also argues that the failure to warn consumers was an intentional move designed to help Kia and Hyundai sell more vehicles. This alleged deception caused consumers to pay for defective vehicles and endanger themselves, according to the Kia, Hyundai class action lawsuit.
โZF-TRW apparently conspired with HMA and KMA to conceal a dangerous and potentially deadly defect that already existed in millions of vehicles in order to continue selling defective parts for installation in new vehicles,โ the Hyundai class action lawsuit claims.
In her Kia class action, Johnson seeks to represent a Class of consumers who purchased or leased an affected vehicle. She also seeks to represent a Class of the same consumers from Tennessee.
The Kia, Hyundai class action lawsuit seeks compensatory damages, exemplary damages, punitive damages, statutory penalties, injunctive relief, equitable relief, restitution, disgorgement, court costs, and attorneysโ fees.
Johnson and the proposed Class are represented by Matthew J. Preusch, Lynn Lincoln Sarko, Gretchen Freeman Cappio, and Ryan McDevitt of Keller Rohrback LLP.
The Kia Hyundai Defective Airbags Class Action Lawsuit is Johnson v. Hyundai Motor America Inc., et al., Case No. 8:19-cv-01292, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
ย
Read More Lawsuit & Settlement News:
Penฬafiel Mineral Spring Water Contains Arsenic, Class Action Says
Who Qualifies for the New Jersey Catholic Church Compensation Fund?
Yankee Candle Class Action Says Customersโ Info Sold
Regions Bank Customers May Have Paid Too Much in the Early Mortgage Payoff Process
ATTORNEY ADVERTISING
Top Class Actions is a Proud Member of the American Bar Association
LEGAL INFORMATION IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE
Top Class Actions Legal Statement
ยฉ2008 โ 2024 Top Class Actionsยฎ LLC
Various Trademarks held by their respective owners
This website is not intended for viewing or usage by European Union citizens.
181 thoughts onKia, Hyundai Class Action Alleges Defective Airbags
I owned a year 2000 Hyundai car that got wrecked in an accident in 2015 and the airbag did not deploy. Kindly include me in the class-action settlement please.
How do you sign up
I owned a 2015 Kia Sorento and then a 2017 Kia Sportage. The Sportage was involved in a front end collision and the air bag did not deploy. So I want in on this lawsuit.
2013 Sonata owner. Add me.
I have a 2016 Kia Soul and would like to be add
Recently purchased 2011 kia optima. On march 16 a second vehicle made a left turn in front of me causing me to hit them. The Optima sustained considerable front end damage and the air bags did not deploy! What should i do about this issue
My daughter was driving a Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2011 and had an accident with major damage to the car. The airbag did not deploy and the VIN is not on the list for airbag recall.
I contacted Hyundai and they preliminary refuse to inspect the car stating that it depends on the legal department if they want to determine why the air bag did not deploy.
It appears they donโt want to know why the airbags donโt deploy on vehicles which are not currently on the recall list. I need legal help in order for Hyundai to inspect the car and provides a written report on why the air bag did not deploy.
Please add me we hit a Deer in Texas the Air Bags did not activate I fear it will happen again also was just notified my car would of caught fire my engine is one that is under the recall but no replacements yet I also continue to hear a crumbling cracking sound that wonโt go away hopefully my 2013 Kia Optima SXL is safe to drive.
I was in an accident in a 2015 Optima, cruisecontrol was set at 85 mph prior to spinning out doing 3 complete circles and going head on into a tree with a 3 foot circumference on CA hyw 99 south in Fresno. And NO airbags deployed.
Soโฆ Looking at this post some people donโt understand airbags. I had a 2015 Sonata Limited Sport Ultimate and under 20 mph the airbags deployed. This CLA is bs due to the people talking are either 1.) not directly involved or have been BSโd. Have owned 8 Hyundai cars and put my whole family into them. Safest cars that are around. Just FYI.
I have at 2105 kia optima air bag light is on.
Was told by dealership that means it wont deploy