Update:
- A judge dismissed a class action lawsuit filed by a group of vehicle owners against Hyundai Motor Co. in a California federal court.
- The class action lawsuit claimed a number of Hyundai and Kia model vehicles contained an engine defect that caused them to use an excessive amount of oil.
- The vehicle owners argued the alleged defect, in addition to costing them money for the excess oil, caused the vehicles to stall and eventually fail.
- Court approval of the dismissal was not required as the class had not been certified nor proposed to be certified for purposes of a settlement, according to court documents.
Hyundai excessive oil consumption class action lawsuit overview:
- Who: A group of Hyundai and Kia vehicle owners are suing Hyundai Motor Co.
- Why: The drivers allege numerous models of Hyundai and Kia vehicles are equipped with defective engines that use excessive amounts of oil, stall and eventually fail.
- Where: The lawsuit was filed in a California federal court.
(April 20, 2022)
Hyundai makes numerous models of Hyundai and Kia brand vehicles with defective engines that use excessive amounts of oil, costing their owners huge sums of money, a new class action lawsuit alleges.
On Apr. 12, eight owners of Hyundai and Kia brand vehicles filed a class action lawsuit against Hyundai Motor Co. in a California federal court, alleging violations of federal warranty laws.
The Hyundai excessive oil consumption lawsuit alleges that numerous models of the automaker’s vehicles are equipped with defective Nu, Gamma, Theta, Lambda and Kappa engines.
The defective engines allegedly use excessive amounts of oil, stall and eventually fail. The drivers say Hyundai should have issued a recall for the vehicles a long time ago but hasn’t.
As a result, thousands of Hyundai and Kia owners and lessees have allegedly been forced to constantly check the oil levels, and oil must be added to the engines more frequently than even the owner’s manuals recommend, Car Complaints reports.
The engine issue has flow-on effects like reduction in engine lubrication due to crankshaft submersion and gaskets and seals damage, which leads to oil leaks.
The plaintiffs also claim that oil in their vehicles migrates to places where it shouldn’t be, damaging the combustion and exhaust systems.
This allegedly causes “abnormal wear of engine parts, oversaturation of carbon and deposits of oil sludge, ultimately requiring a costly engine rebuild or replacement.”
Automaker should honor warranty claims outside terms, Hyundai class action says
The plaintiffs allege that Hyundai should honor customers’ warranty claims even when the warranties have expired.
According to the lawsuit, Hyundai can’t adequately repair the oil consumption problems and doesn’t offer any reimbursement for out-of-pocket costs caused by the issue.
The class action states customers must suffer through long wait times for replacement parts, “and in most cases do not receive required engine replacements.”
The cars with the allegedly faulty engines include the 2012-2020 Hyundai Elantra, 2009-2018 Hyundai Genesis Coupe, 2019-2021 Hyundai Kona, 2020-2021 Hyundai Palisade, 2010-2012 and 2015-2021 Hyundai Santa Fe, 2009-2010 and 2015-2021 Hyundai Sonata, 2011–2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, 2010-2013 and 2015-2021 Hyundai Tucson, 2011-2021 Hyundai Veloster, 2020-2021 Hyundai Venue, 2010-2021 Kia Forte, 2017-2020 Kia Niro, 2011-2020 Kia Optima and Optima Hybrid, 2012-2021 Kia Rio, 2011-2020 Kia Sorento, 2012-2021 Kia Soul, 2011-2020 Kia Sportage, 2018-2021 Kia Stinger and 2022 Kia K5.
Meanwhile, Hyundai has expanded its recall of vehicles with an exploding seat belt part issue that has caused multiple injuries to include 6,240 of its 2021-2022 Elantra and 2020 Accent vehicles.
The plaintiffs are represented by Nye, Stirling, Hale & Miller LLP, Sauder Schelkopf LLC and Walsh, PLLC.
The Hyundai Oil Consumption Lawsuit is Cho, et al., v. Hyundai Motor Company, LTD., et al. in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
Are you one of the drivers affected by an allegedly faulty Hyundai engine? Let us know in the comments!
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3,221 thoughts onHyundai class action over excessive oil consumption dismissed
My 2016 Tucson judy went rhru 2 quarts of synthetic oil in 3000 miles,
I have 2018 sonata limited,my car has been running great at around 65k I noticed that it started burning oil 1 quart after about 4k miles I didn’t think anything about it and considered it part of normal wear, I have not missed a oil change at every 5k like clockwork, now around 70k the car is burning oil 1 quart about every 2k miles. There is no oil leak anywhere on the car ,no black smoke from exhaust,no oil on the ground and none on any of the linings under the car it has developed a slight hesitation. Heading to a dealership soon thanks for the info on this hopefully they can fix it
My 2017 Tucson started consuming oil at about 60,000 miles. Now I have to check it about every other week. It just started out of the blue. I am very frustrated. I really like my car but I really don’t want to be worrying about checking the oil so much. I really wish Hyundai would take responsibility for this issue. What can we do?
2012 Tucson went in for recall oil switch 181. Later I got car back it felt heavy under car. I kept calling Hyundia dealer to bring in. After three days on road stranded.Car wouldn’t accelerate right. Oil light came on. I check did not look like any oil in vehicle. later after I towed home. I check a later before I took to Hyundai oil appeared. The oil went somewhere and failed to lube my car and made engine have excessive wear to need a engine. While 181 recall remedy is still under development. Thanks I need a engine 2 months later on me out of warranty because of miles and 2 months of rental on me.
2018 Tucson is using oil at an alarming rate, the dealership is already doing damage control and making excuses blaming infrequent oil changes. When were able to provide proof that we have never missed an oil change, we have never been late for an oil change as a matter of fact the blame switched to non OEM oil filters. We have owned a Pony, Excel, Elantra, Accent and now a Tucson. This will be our last Hyundai I can promise you that. Shameful what lengths a company will go to to weasel their way out of a warranty. Short sighted I really hope people will clue in before they buy. You can’t hide from the internet.
Can you get added to the list if from Canada? My 2016 sonata hybrid burns more that 1 litre per 1000 kilometers or 621 miles. I was told is normal consumption, crazy.
I was talked into Hyundai being in the top 5 small to mid-sized SUVs by research online. I purchased a used 2015 Hyundai Tucson in April with 141k miles. Day one I went to get the oil changed and the stick was dry. The next week- misfire cylinder 2 (needed all new spark plugs). No big. I drove to visit family my 13th week owning it. On a winding road, the car randomly shut off where i could luckily pull over. Low and behold… 2,600 after my oil change? Stick was dry. It ate 3 quarts if oil in less than 3000 miles. I got a tow. Oil change and inspection later- my car is fine. Driving home (the 500 miles with extra oil JIC) i hear the knock. No check engine light. Nothing. I go to pull over and lose all my speed. Get another tow- engine is bad and needs replacement. Nearest dealership is 150 miles away. Spent $1000 in towing fees. Hyundai denied my replacement and I am fuming. I owe 12k and only had the thing for just barely over 3 months.
I have a 2013 Hyundai Genesis coupe 3.8 v6. Bout in 2015 & The car unexpectedly blew a rod bearing through the oil pan a couple weeks ago, called Hyundai about it and since I’m past warranty they can’t cover it. Literally paid it off 2 years ago with 10k cash. Now this happens….. makes sense to why the genesis line / parts are now discontinued. They offered to put a used engine in with 53k miles for 12k…. What a slap in the face from Hyundai smh. Crazy mark ups + not helping their customers. Needless to say never buying a Hyundai again
I have a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. I noticed oil leaking around early June 2022 . The car started burning oil then, but I didn’t realize it until I started hearing a rattling noise in the engine. I had to constantly check the oil levels. It got to the point where the car was burning so much oil I had to put oil in once a week. I was afraid to drive the car without at least a quart of oil in the trunk. Eventually i had to buy the gallon jug.
Then on Aug. 1, 2022 (with a full level of oil) the engine sputtered, stalled & failed on a dark night on a dim lit road. By the grace of God no one hit me in the back & I made it to a lit parking lot of a restaurant. My oil light never came on.
I DID RECEIVE THE NOTICE OF PROPOSED CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT A WHILE AGO, BUT MY CAR WAS FINE THEN SO I DIDN’T SUBMIT A CLAIM. NOW THAT MY CAR HAS CONKED OUT DUE TO THE ENGINE FAILING I WANT TO BE ADDED TO THE LAWSUIT. HOWEVER, THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT A CALIM WAS APRIL 12, 2021. I still have the claims paperwork can i go ahead & submit this or is it too late. The claims form gave a phone # of 1-866-944-7620 but the recording says “the phone # is in transition & no messages can be left.” It gave the website of HyundaiThetaEngineSettlement.com.
I am EXTREMELY UPSET! Now i have to purchase a new car. BUT BET YOUR BOTTOM DOLLARS THAT IT WILL DEFINATELY NOT BE A HYUNDAI! My 2012 Sonata was paid for.
2012 Santa Fe Sport, 2nd engine just seized last week. When the original engine went the Hyundai service manager accused me of not changing the engine oil regularly because it was so low and full of sludge. We purchased the vehicle new from the same dealership and the oil was always changed every 6 months along with the seasonal tire change.