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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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911 thoughts onHyundai Class Action Filed Over Peeling Auto Paint
Have a 2017 Hyundai Sonata white pearl paint started coming off the hood shortly after purchasing the car, contacted dealer they repainted it at their expense. Now paint coming off the trunk lid of the car warranty out on the paint! They should make good on this when they know it’s a bad paint job to start with!!!
2016 Hyundai Sonata paint peal on the top and hood of car.
I purchased my 2019 Santa Fe in Dec 2018. Last week I was cleaning my car with a pressure hose and the paint started to come off on the rear drivers side back door. There is a small patch missing. I took it to a local body shop and they said its not the first time they have seen this on all model Hyundais no matter the year. My car is pearl white I live in Sourh Florida. I called Hyundai Coporate and they told me to take it to the dealer I purchased the car from. I have an appointment this coming Tuesday and they will file a claim for me. In the mean time I have been shopping for a new car. Does any one know if this defect is happening to other color Hyundai Santa Fe. This is very disturbing i love the car but if i cant get them to fix it for free. I will nevet buy another Hyundai. I am going to go to the local news station for help and make people aware of this issue. Maybe if I go public Hyundai with be more responsive to mine and other owners of white Huyndai cars. NAC in SOUTH FLORIDA
I purchased my 2013 Santa fe new. I love the car but unfortunately the paint is peeling. It started with small patches on the hood and then grew larger. Now the fender is also starting to bubble up.
bought a 2014 Hyundai Sonata in 20 16. The electrical system was crap, dealer fixed that eventually. Some time later dealership conveniently neglected to tell us there was a problem with the engine. When I called the dealers attention to the fact that it was using a quart of oil every 1000 mi. service manager beat around the bush about the problem. I indicated that I had heard about Hyundai having to replace several engines in 2014 sonatas. He then changed his tune. Anyway they replaced the engine after it blew up on the way to do a “ping test.” Now the pretty white pearlite paint is peeling all over the car, looks like camouflage. When I complained to the service mgr. he was very vague. “well your car is probably too old” and left it at that. My wife and I are on fixed income. the car is an embarrassment to drive. can’t afford to buy another car. Something should be done!! Hyundai is screwing the public left and right!!
My 2013 just started peeling and electral system has problems too!
My wife purchased a 2016 Hyundai Elantra from a family friend in 2018. When she first got the car it was perfectly fine with maybe a few unnoticeable pieces of paint chipping away. By the end of the year the paint on top of the car was noticeably chipping away and the bumper and hood started to do the same. Since then it’s been slowly chipping away and has looked terrible for a few years now. It’s embarrassing for her to drive a car that is barely 5 years old that looks like it does. I’m not sure if I can help in this matter but if there is anything we can do to assist in this matter or if there is any way to go about getting the car repainted or receive compensation please let me know.
I purchased my 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport in May of 2018. I started noticing the paint coming off above one of my rear passenger doors. Today, I have SEVERAL spots, especially on the front end of the hood of my car, where the paint has come off. There was NO mention to any of this when I purchased my car. In March/April 2023 we had 2 storms that produced golf ball – baseball size hail and damaged my car. I cannot even get my hail damaged fixed because it will cause MORE paint to come off. This is absolutely ridiculous. I really like my car, but I will not purchase another Hyundia if they cannot make things right for their customers.
Same problem on my 2015 Sonata. Paint began to bubble on the roof and then just started peeling off in big flakes. Took it to Hyundai Service and they initially said there was nothing they could do. About two weeks later, I got a call from the service manager asking me if i would be willing to put $200 toward the paint repair. Having gotten a $1400 estimate for the repair from a local body shop, I paid the $200 and let Hyundai take care of it. Long story short, Hyundai subbed out the repair to body shop who had my car for 9 weeks, did a terrible job and damaged my radio reception and rear defroster in the process (defroster doesn’t work at all), and that’s another story) and Hyundai left me to take care of the radio & defroster repairs on my own. Now i have the same paint issue on the passenger side rear door. I informed Hyundai of the issue, but I don’t expect them to do anything about it. We’ll see.
I bought my 2017 Hyundai Elantra in Oct. 2019, from the Henderson location, for the third time. No one told me there was a problem then, with the Pearl White peeling off!!! Now its the roof in big chunks & the mirrors, etc… Hyundai should be held responsible.
Hi I have a 2015 Hyundai Sonata and the paint is falling off it. It started on the roof and now on the hood and all over.