Settlement Proposed in Hyundai Elantra Piston Defect Lawsuit

A proposed settlement agreement in a Hyundai Elantra class action lawsuit would compensate and reimburse class members for costs related to a vehicle defect. The settlement would also resolve claims accusing the auto manufacturer of knowing about the issues and selling the cars anyway.

About the Proposed Hyundai Elantra Settlement

Plaintiffs Elizabeth B., Janeshia M., and Nicholas M. filed their vehicle defect lawsuit against Hyundai Motor America and Hyundai Motor Company in 2018. According to the plaintiffs, each had purchased a Hyundai vehicle affected by a piston defect. The alleged problem involved the coating on the piston, as well as an issue with the way the connecting rods were finished. The plaintiffs claim the issues can cause engine failure.

Elizabeth claims that in 2017, while driving her 2013 Elantra, she heard ticking and knocking. A week after first hearing the noises, Elizabeth said she heard a loud pop just before her engine failed. She claims that she attempted to file a warranty claim to have the engine fixed, but Hyundai denied it. She and the other plaintiffs claim that their engines failed at 72,000+ miles, at least 12,000 miles over the 60,000-mile warranty cut off.

The proposed settlement agreement does not require Hyundai to claim it had knowledge of any defect before selling affected vehicles, and class members will be entitled to receive benefits including reimbursement for out-of-pocket repairs and an extended warranty.

Hyundai has agreed to cover any defect-related repairs made within an extended warranty period of 10 years or 120,000 miles, whichever comes first, . The company will also reimburse class members for other expenses related to repairing the defect, including rental car or towing costs. The named plaintiffs in the case will each receive an additional $2,500 for their role in the lawsuit.

What is the Alleged Hyundai Elantra Defect?

The piston defect may result in a persistent knocking or ticking noise coming from the vehicle. According to the Hyundai Elantra lawsuit, “once the fateful engine knock sound begins, the class vehicle’s engine will inevitably fail completely.” The owner of a 2012 Hyundai Elantra compared the sound of the knocking engine to the sound of knocking on wood.

The piston defect may also cause other engine issues including loss of engine power, loss of control of power steering, brake problems, and the car suddenly stalling. These issues may be serious and dangerous, especially if they arise while the vehicle is being driven on a highway or at high speeds. Losing control of the steering or the brakes may lead to an accident.

In some cases, the engine problems caused by the defect may be so severe or dangerous that consumers have to replace their engines. This can be very expensive, costing consumers as much as $10,000. For those who purchased used vehicles, the cost of the fix may exceed what they paid for their car. Some Hyundai owners believe the automaker may have known about the defect in advance but sold the vehicles anyway. According to these consumers, Hyundai may owe them reimbursement for the cost of repairing the issues. This is not the first time Hyundai has faced blowback over problems with its vehicles.

Which Vehicles are Affected?

Vehicles that may be affected by the piston defect were manufactured and sold between 2011 and 2016. The affected cars are known as 5th generation Elantras. According to HyundaiProblems.com, the 5th generation Elantra has a PainRank of more than 63. The PainRank is meant to indicate the amount of pain it will be to own that vehicle. An ideal PainRank is as close to zero as possible.

If you have purchased a 2011-2016 Hyundai Elantra that is affected by the alleged defect, you may be eligible to join or file a class action lawsuit. According to the proposed settlement, Hyundai will set up a website including a notice about the settlement, a claims form, and other documents that may be relevant to potential class members. Even if class members submit their claims to Hyundai in order to pursue reimbursement and the company denies them, the class members may be able to speak with the Better Business Bureau or an experienced attorney to determine the next steps.

The Hyundai Elantra Lawsuit is Case No: 2:18-cv-11249-SDW-JAD, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, Newark Division.

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This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.