Ashley Milano  |  July 13, 2016

Category: Consumer News

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Hyundai class action settlementA Hyundai Sonata engine failure class action lawsuit is nearing an end, as a California federal judge grants preliminary approval of a proposed settlement.

U.S. District Judge Beth Labson Freeman initially gave the go ahead to the deal, resolving Hyundai Sonata owners claims that their engines were defective and that Hyundai dealerships refused to replace them under warranty.

Judge Freeman okayed the settlement terms ruling that the conditions appeared to be reasonable and fair.

“The court finds that the settlement contains no obvious deficiencies, falls within the range of possible approval, and that the parties entered into the settlement in good faith, following arm’s-length negotiations between their respective counsel with the assistance of a neutral mediator,” she ruled.

The proposed settlement applies to owners and lessees of 2011-2014 Hyundai Sonatas with a Theta II 2.0 or 2.4 liter gasoline direct injection engine, who purchased or leased the Class vehicle in the United States, excluding the territories, or abroad while on active military duty.

This Hyundai Sonata settlement is not to be mistaken for another separate class action lawsuit settlement between Hyundai and a proposed Class of Hyundai Santa Fe drivers who accused the automaker of covering up an engine stalling defect.

The Hyundai Sonata engine class action lawsuit brought by plaintiffs Elizabeth Mendoza and Beth Graham, owners of the affected Hyundai Sonatas, was filed and consolidated in April of last year.

Mendoza and Graham claimed that the Theta II 2.4-liter engine can seize after the connecting rods start to fail, sending metal debris traveling throughout the engine and contaminating the oil – a defect Hyundai knew existed from the time the cars were first manufactured, they contend.

According to the class action lawsuit, the Sonata engine can seize while driving at any speed and cause severe danger to the occupants and others on the road. In addition, the lawsuit alleged that the engines can seize shortly after the warranty expires which leaves owners paying for all repairs.

Although the original lawsuit named the 2011-2012 Hyundai Sonata cars, the proposed settlement includes all model year 2011-2014 Hyundai Sonata cars in the U.S. equipped with Theta II 2-liter or 2.4-liter gasoline direct injection engines.

Under the terms of the settlement, Hyundai will provide reimbursements for past repairs and related costs, free inspections and repairs, and a warranty extension.

Specifically, the deal has Hyundai reimbursing Sonata owners who paid for engine repairs or replacements within 10 years and under 120,000 miles of the vehicle’s original sale or lease. The agreement also includes expenses related to towing or rental cars needed due to the defective Sonata engines.

Hyundai Sonata owners who haven’t had engine problems will receive a mailer describing how the engines can seize, recommending owners take the cars to authorized dealerships. Hyundai dealerships will inspect the engines and determine how to prevent the affected Sonata engines from failing.

The automaker says if a Sonata has more than 120,000 miles on the odometer at the time of notice, Hyundai will offer a 90-day window to provide coverage of needed engine repairs and replacement regardless of mileage. Additionally, future engine repairs or replacement will be covered under an extended 10-year/120,000-mile warranty.

Under the settlement, Hyundai will also compensate Sonata owners for the loss of resale value if they experienced engine failure and sold or traded in their cars in lieu of replacing or repairing the defective engine.

The court has set a final approval hearing for Dec. 15, 2016.

Instructions on how to file a claim for the Hyundai Sonata defective engine class action settlement were not immediately available. Keep checking TopClassActions.com or sign up for our free newsletter for the latest updates. You can also “Follow” this case using your free Top Class Actions account to receive notifications when this article is updated.

Eric H. Gibbs and David Stein of Gibbs Law Group LLP, and Joseph G. Sauder and Matthew D. Schelkopf of McCuneWright LLP, are serving as co-lead interim Class counsel.

The Hyundai Sonata Defective Engine Class Action Lawsuit is In Re: Hyundai Sonata Engine Litigation, Case No. 5:15-cv-01685, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, San Jose Division.

UPDATE: The Hyundai Sonata defective engine class action settlement is now open! Click here to file a claim!

UPDATE 2: On Dec. 15, 2016, a federal judge says she will grant final approval to a proposed Hyundai Sonata defective engine class action settlement.

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35 thoughts onHyundai Reaches Sonata Engine Defect Class Action Settlement

  1. kjh says:

    I have 2019 hyundai sonata and it’s been to repairs 4 times for symptoms of engine issues that I’m told are recall issues…the engine drains all the oil at a little over 3000 miles. When oil is check the reading has practically no oil. My concern is burning up the engine or fire. I have elderly parents and kids to ride with me as my responsibilities, this can be hazardous….Please help!! This is causing me to take off work and stress of renting cars and an inconvenience of servicing every 1000 miles.

    1. Kody Hamburg says:

      Going through oil crazy before engine finally blew
      Have taken good care of this car and have never had so many problems

  2. Andrea Hudson says:

    I have a 2014 Hyundai Sonata Se. I’ve had it 4 years now. It’s been stalling and jerking really bad. Today, it cut off on me twice. First time ever doing this. It cranked up immediately. I drove it from work and back home. I get my oil changed often and on time. One kept it in great condition. Now, I believe it is trying to go out on me. The guy at the Express Lube told me about you. What must I do next about my car situation? It’s my only car. Thank you.

  3. Myriah Randolph says:

    My mom has a 2015 Hyundai sonata with the 2.4L that just started knocking a few days after getting her oil changed and spark plugs it only has 147,000 miles on it will Hyundai help with this

    1. Diamond says:

      I have the same issue I bought my car in July got a oil changed soon as I got it and the engine started knocking they said I had no oil but I only drove it to and from work

  4. Robert Jewell says:

    We need a class action against Hyundai over the engine issue here in Canada like they had in the USA. Show all Canadians what kind of company Hyundia really is

    1. Silvia says:

      My 2011 Sonata engine failed today on the highway and Hunday Canada is not going to replace the engine because I cannot provide detailed maintenance records in the last 7 years despite driving a car with well known defective engine. What Law Firm in Canada is willing to take on a Class action Law suit against Hyundai Canada the same way the Americans have done a few years ago?

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