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A New Jersey woman recently filed a class action lawsuit alleging that certain Hyundai Elantra models have a piston defect which can cause dangerous engine failures.
Plaintiff Elizabeth Brown filed the class action lawsuit against Hyundai Motor America and Hyundai Motor Company LTD, alleging that the car maker’s Elantra models posses a dangerous piston defect.
The Hyundai Elantra class action claims that Elantra models from 2011 through 2016, with “Nu” 1.8 liter engines, are affected by a piston defect.
Brown says the piston defect stems from 2011 changes to the piston manufacturing process.
The Hyundai class action lawsuit alleges that Brown purchased a 2013 Hyundai Elantra, containing a “Nu” 1.8 liter engine, from an authorized dealer near her home.
In late 2017, Brown reportedly began to notice a knocking, ticking noise from her vehicle. A week later, while her son was driving the car, a loud pop was heard from the engine before it failed.
The plaintiff says she attempted to file a warranty claim but was denied when the dealer allegedly found oil sludge, citing inadequate maintenance.
The Hyundai Elantra piston defect can allegedly cause engine failures. The symptoms of the related engine failure reportedly include a knocking noise upon start up, loss of engine power, loss of power steering, loss of break assistance, and sudden stalling.
The Hyundai Elantra class action lawsuit claims that once the engine fails, there is no way to fix it apart from completely replacing the engine, a $10,000 repair.
Brown argues that Hyundai Elantra engine failure can place consumers at serious risk for accident, injury, and death. If a Hyundai Elantra engine were to fail while a consumer was driving, they would reportedly be at serious risk for collision.
The Hyundai Elantra class action claims that the automaker knew about the defect but did not initiate a recall or repair action in the United States.
Brown says Canadian dealers were instructed to replace engines affected by engine knocking, a symptom of the problem, but no such order was initiated in the United States.
Instead of offering a fix for the dangerous problem, Hyundai Elantra dealers blame consumers for “inadequate maintenance” and deny warranty claims for a replacement engine, according to the Hyundai Elantra class action lawsuit.
“Defendants have not recalled and/or offered an adequate engine repair to the Class Vehicles, offered their customers suitable repairs or replacements free of charge, or offered to reimburse their customers who have incurred out-of-pocket expenses to repair the defect,” the Hyundai Elantra class action states.
Brown seeks to represent a Class of current and former owners and lessees of Hyundai Elantra vehicles affected by the alleged piston defect. She also seeks to represent a New Jersey subclass of the same consumers.
The Hyundai Elantra class action seeks compensatory damages, punitive damages, injunctive relief, court costs, and attorneys’ fees.
Brown is represented by Matthew D. Schelkopf and Joseph B. Kenney of Sauder Schelkopf LLC; Nicholas Migliaccio, Jason Rathod, and Esfand Y. Nafisi of Migliaccio & Rathod LLP; Daniel C. Levin of Levin Sedran & Berman.
The Hyundai Elantra Piston Defect Class Action Lawsuit is Brown v. Hyundai Motor America, et al., Case No. 2:18-cv-11249-JLL-JAD, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.
UPDATE: On Jan. 22, 2019, Hyundai asked a federal judge to dismiss a class action lawsuit which alleges that the company concealed Elantra engine defects.
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163 thoughts onHyundai Elantra Class Action Lawsuit Alleges Piston Defect
I just purchased a 2014 Elantra and noticed a slight ticking noise. After it’s warm the sound is almost unnoticeable.
However I know it’s only going to get cold and louder. It is already getting louder each day. What can I do. Dealer? Lawsuit? Thank you for your feedback.
Tengo un Elantra 2013 con sonido en el motor
I have a 2013 Elantra with a lot of sound and I want to know if I have a chance of being guided with this problem
I purchased a used 2013 Hyundai Elantra less than 3 weeks Ago and noticed the engine tick the first cold morning. It persisted so I took it to a mechanic who confirmed it is the tick of death. Only has 63K on it. Called Hyundai corporate and they said kick rocks as it is past the extended warranty. Dealership I purchased from won’t help either.
I have a 2014 Elantra took to the dealership and I could read it falls under the piston ingine failure warranty, but when they put in Vin they told me it comes back not under warranty for new ingine, but my problem is piston gouging, and I need a new ingine.. how can they do this , my car is at 146.000 miles, I really need my car and can’t afford another ingine..
I bought a 2012 1.8nu elantra used, I’ve had oil changes done regularly at 3k miles. I’ve had the car less than a year and after the last oil change 3 weeks ago I’m hearing the ticking or piston slap noise. The car is at 148000 miles currently. Can I join the lawsuit or will hyundai replace the motor?
It’s probably your coil packs. Mine one went out caused this. It’s easy to fix yourself part is 70.00
Car is knocking when starting up or just not want to start at all , then all of a sudden the other day when car was in Drive it didn’t want to accelerate . Worked perfectly fine in Manual gears .
I have 2012 Hyundai Elantra 1.8 engine. Has 140000 just payed it off.
And now it needs a motor.
My daughter has a 2014 Elantra and 1 month after paying it off the engine took a shit on her and it’s no longer under warranty now does she qualify for the class action lawsuit?
I bought my 2011 Hyundai Elantra used with 154,000 miles on it. I have the “nu” engine as well and it makes a terribly loud grinding metal noise on cold start up. I have to turn the engine off and restart it for it to get a little better. But it happens all the time and I live in Louisiana so it’s not bc of the cold weather. Plus the engine makes a knocking noise when it’s running. Have taken very good care of the car & have my oil professionally changed regularly. This is my only vehicle and I can’t afford to buy another one. I want to be a part of this recall. Please contact me asap. Thank you!
wifes 2013 Hyundai Elantra has a ticking sound when you start it up also the car is peeling like a snake shed skin looks like might have to seek the advice of an attorney.