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A class action lawsuit filed on March 30 alleges that the “self-healing” paint used by automobile manufacturer Hyundai on some of its most popular vehicles is defective. The complaint claims that the “defect in the paint, which was present upon delivery, manifests itself over time, causes the paint to bubble, peel and flake off of the vehicle, and can lead to rusting and corrosion.”
The defective paint class action asserts that Hyundai vehicle models Santa Fe, Sonata, and Elantra from the years 2006 through 2016 all were sold with the prematurely peeling paint. The complaint states that Hyundai advertises its vehicles as having a “state-of-the-art paint” that includes “an elastic chemical compound called Scratch Recovery Clear to help scratches heal” and is “one of the highest quality paint jobs in the industry.”
However, the class action alleges that the self-healing “Scratch Recovery Clear” actually causes premature cracks and peeling in the paint. “Upon information and belief, since their inception, these self-healing paints and coatings have created concern that long-term exposure to ultraviolet light, through sun exposure for example, would cause the polymers to break down, creating a constant ‘molten’ state that would cause the paint to peel away from the vehicle,” according to the complaint.
In addition, the defective paint class action lawsuit asserts that Hyundai has known of this defect for years, but continues not to tell consumers about it and not provide any assistance to consumers if their vehicles are outside of the three-year warranty. According to the complaint, Nissan first used “self-healing” paint in 2005, but discontinued it because of peeling issues. The complaint also cites numerous consumer complaints from a handful of different websites that all experienced the same issues. Despite these complaints, the class action claims that “Hyundai continues to claim that the Class Vehicles have the highest quality paint job in the industry.”
All seven plaintiffs in the Hyundai defective paint class action claim that they’ve been affected by this defect, and pictures of the peeling paint on their Hyundai vehicles are included in the complaint. For example, plaintiff Michelle Resnick claims that “large sections” of paint came off the roof of her six-year-old Hyundai Santa Fe while driving on the highway, and the driver behind her “hit the brakes in order to put distance between the two cars.”
The Hyundai defective paint lawsuit seeks to represent a Class of “All consumers in the United States who are current owners of model year 2006 – 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, Sonata and Elantra vehicles manufactured in the United States.” In the alternative, the complaint asks to certify separate state actions where the seven plaintiffs live: Maryland, Louisiana, Georgia, Texas, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Florida. The class action requests restitution and damages for the defective paint, as well as a court order stopping Hyundai from violating consumer protection laws.
The plaintiffs are represented by Richard D. McCune, David C. Wright, and Jae (Eddie) K. Kim of WcCuneWright LLP; John A. Yanchunis, Marcio W. Valladres, and Patrick A. Bathle, II, of Morgan & Morgan Complaex Litigation Group; Gregory F. Coleman and Lisa A. White of Greg Coleman Law PC; and Jean Sutton Martin of the Law Office of Jean Sutton Martin PLLC.
The Hyundai Defective Paint Class Action Lawsuit is Michelle Resnick, et al. v. Hyundai Motor America Inc., Case No. 8:16-cv-00593, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
UPDATE: The Hyundai Defective Paint Class Action Lawsuit was dismissed on April 13, 2017. The court did give the plaintiffs the option of filing an amended complaint. Please keep checking Top Class Actions for updates!
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913 thoughts onHyundai Class Action Filed Over Peeling Auto Paint
The roof of my car, the hood, and the passenger front and back door are peeling so much that it’s making my beautiful white car that I got from my deceased mother look horrible
I have a 2016 white Sonata, paint peeled on roof (we had repainted) and currently peeling on the hood. Great car, but as stated previously, embarrassing. Have a friend that hat had his paint fixed, but he had purchased the extended warranty.
My 2015 sonata limited with the white pearl quarts paint has been peeling for 2yrs on the top and hood. The blown engine was replaced free by the lawsuit in 2022, I love my car and my new engine. I just want a new paint job. It’s embarrassing to drive it looks so poor !
I also have peeling paint on the roof of my white Hyundai Elantra. I have seen a ton just like mine and everyone I know that owns a white Hyundai has same problem. They really should take care of this problem!!
Mi hija compró un Hyundai Elantra 2017 nuevo cero millas y 2 años después comenzaron a salir burbujas de aire en el area del hood del carro en el techo y en la maleta y seguidamente a descascarares la pintura, llevamos el auto al Hyundai dealer y le hicieron el trabajo de pintura correspondiente pero muy mal hecho…. un año después comenzaron a levantarse y descascararse la pintura por diferentes partes del auto es bien triste esto pues un auto que aún se está pagando y verlo en estas condiciones….. lo llevamos una vez más al Hyundai dealer y el service consultant Adrián Labycz aquí en Orlando Florida les sacó muchísimas fotos a las áreas afectadas y nos informo que hay que tener paciencia pues eran muchísimos autos afectados con el mismo problema de pintura ya vamos para un año en éste agosto y nada….. justamente visité el Hyundai ayer para comprar un touch paint y retocar yo mismo las áreas afectadas y en ese preciso momento me encuentro con el Señor ante mencionado Adrián le pregunté de cómo iba el asunto sobre nuestro problema de la pintura del auto y muy calmado me informa qué hay que solicitar una nueva cita para él entonces sacar una vez más fotos al auto sobre las condiciones de pintura y mandarlas al Hyundai manufactura pues las fotos que él hizo hace 11 meses ya son viejas ….. a mí hija nadie tuvo la cortesía en llamarla o de enviarle un email con ésta nueva información gracias que yo visitando el Hyundai dealer ayer para comprar pintura es que me entero de éstos nuevos acontecimientos…. me dieron cita para próximo mes de agosto 9 2023 sin esperar nada positivo pues lo que han hecho ellos durante todo este tiempo es ganar tiempo para que el carro pierda su warranty en meses y en miles es increíble y bastante dolorosa toda ésta experiencia con Hyundai Dealer of Orlando cita en 12801 S.Orange Blossom Trail .fl 32837.
2018 Sonata paint feeling over windshield.
I also have the 2018 Elantra it is peeling on hood
2016 Santa Fe sport peeling on hood n roof no more fancy peral white paint job. Dealer said not responsible. Rock chips. Bull.
Same thing going on with my 2016 Santa Fe sport. It’s starting to rust. Nothing but problems with this piece of crap. Already had to engines size. Never again Hyundai. Make it right
Nothings been done? I have a 2015 Sonata SE and i’m chipping on the hood, roof AND trunk.
My 2009 Hyundai 130 blue colour is peeling on roof, side mirrors and back bumper bar. What should I do?
We do too!!
I have a 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe with the paint coming off Is there been an settlement or recall for this? Thank You