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
I currently have a 2017 Santa Fe that is burning a quart every other day. Bowser Hyundai in Pittsburgh service advisors hide behind voicemails. How do I get added to this lawsuit? Thank you
I’m the original owner of a Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2016. Im told by dealership needs new engine, but Hyundai won’t abide by warranty. I have properly maintained my vehicle and have only 60,458 miles.
Hyundai Tucson SE 2016!
Same issue. Excessive oil consumption resulted in engine issues. Before car was due for a service, gas level was less than a quart. Before the incident I had only had my car serviced through the Hyundai dealer. They say they never have issues with any Tucsons but apparently not! How do I join class action suit?
I have a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. I have oil changed regularly and maintenance. I just took my vehicle in for an oil change. The oil level was so low it didn’t even register on the dip stick. This is very concerning. Please add me to the list.
I have a 2015 Sonata and It burns oil a qt about 300 miles.
I am the second owner of a 2017 Hyundai Sonata. My car is burning oil “excessively” per local Hyundai Service technician however, I’m at 84,000 and out of warranty so my request for an oil consumption test was denied by Hyundai, despite my check engine light and oil lamp light both coming on at the same time. I appealed the decision with Hyundai USA and attached all my receipts for services over the last six months due to check engine light and oil lamp coming on, but they didn’t want to hear it. Terrible to have to keep checking a car that less than 5 years old for oil in this day and age. I would love to be added to the class action lawsuit.
I bought my 2016 KIA Optima brand new from KIA. For the last several years, I have noticed black soot coming from my exhaust as well as having to add oil in-between oil changes. I have brought this issue up to the dealership numerous times. Every time I am told that it could be bad gasoline, etc., but that oil burn is normal. Just in 2022 alone, my car has broken down twice, just a few months apart. The 1st time April 29th and the second time, just today October 11th. Both times the cylinder 4 spark plug has had to be replaced with sludge all over it. I was then told my suspicion was correct. The oil in my engine is being pushed out through my exhaust system which is not normal. I was told by 2 different repair shops that my engine needs to be replaced. This is not the only engine issue my KIA has had concerning the engine. The other was for the faulty knock sensor, also a class action lawsuit. I am at wits end and don’t know how to proceed. I finally was able to speak to the KIA director and he started the consumption test on my KIA. Now I drive 1k miles and take it back to have the oil level checked. I don’t understand why a company would roll out so many defective vehicles knowing they aren’t safe or reliable vehicles. I am out thousands of dollars in repairs, tows, rental car fee’s, spark plug replacements and lots and lots of oil! Hopefully this law suit will settle giving us owners the help and relief we deserve!
I have a 2016 Sonata and have changed the oil and filter every 3-5K miles and all of a sudden my oil light started coming on at sudden stops. I was due for a 3k oil change and had my mechanic check for leaks and none to be found. The oil was changed and I happened to notice when I was slowing down a hill for a stop sign a huge cloud of smoke behind me in the rear view mirror. I now have to constantly check my oil levels. I just went over to 108k miles and never had to worry about the oil before. I also am on unemployment and cant afford a newer car. Also retired military.
I have a 2015 Sonata and add at least a 1/4 to 1/2 quart a week. I’ve done the consumption test at the dealership (which ironically was never as high as when I check it). They flat out told me at the dealership that Hyundai will not do anything about it and I just have to keep checking it. This is TERRIBLE customer service. I can’t afford a new car, so I’m stuck with this one and hope that it keeps going and doesn’t break down.
My 2017 recently serviced, regularly maintenanced Hyundai Elantra, with less than 80,000 miles, had a sudden, catastrophic engine failure in highway traffic October 2021. Hyundai was completely unresponsive. Replaced engine (@ $5,000 total cost), and now the “certified” replacement engine is burning oil like there is no tomorrow! Suffered an episode supposedly related to ignition coil failure and knock sensor issues (supposedly addressed in a February recall service) end of September costing over $600 in repair and replacement charges. Definitely want in on this suit
Judy, So your saying Hyundai did nothing for you? Did you ever receive anything in regards to class action suit? I have not. I want in on this. My problems are getting close to what you have experienced. I wish you well!
Hyundai Sonata 2013 just stopped on highway. Burned oil just had a oil change less than a month ago. Drove only 700 miles since then.