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 have a 2017 Santafe and have been adding oil every 250 to 300 miles of driving.
I need to join the class action suit
My 2016 Hyundai Sonata had the same problem that the car is burning oil excessively. After two times of engine consumption test at Hyundai dealership, I was eligible for an engine replacement, so I had an engine replacement around 52,000 miles on 9/2022. However, the warranty just expired due to the second owner, so I had to pay 25% of the cost of engine replacement. I believe my engine problem also caused another problem with the oil light on and repair.
I have a 2017 hyundai santa fe that is wasting too much oil.
I have a 2018 Sonata and I’ve been having this issue for over 12 months ! It’s stressful because they are not honoring the warranty and I’m still paying the car note ! I have to take the vehicle to the Hyundai dealership at-least twice a month for oil ! I’am interested in this case.
I have a 2017 Hyundai Sonata that drinks oil like crazy and causes it to foul the plugs on a regular basis. They definitley need a recall for this issue.
2016 Sonata Sport, same issue. Oil being put in every 24-48 hours. Now fouling spark plugs. Car runs terribly. Been thru numerous oil consumption test. Dealership will do nothing without us paying out of pocket. Yet at the beginning that claimed we would be getting a motor replacement at no cost to us!
My kids and 2016 and 2012 Sonata and one had to replace the engine and other is burning oil like crazy.
I have a 2017 Kia Optima and have been having oil consumption issues and am having to add half a quart of oil every 300 miles. My vehicle has fouled out 3 sparks plugs due to this issue in 4 months. I am interested in joining a class action lawsuit.
I’m having the oil issues with my 2017 Sonata. I’m doing the oil consumption test now and pray I don’t blow the engine before the test over.
What test is this? My 2017 leaks oil. I see it in my driveway.
I have been experiencing the same issues with my 2015 Sonata rapidly burning oil. I first became aware after getting a synthetic oil change. Shortly after my oil light came on. I was advised by multiple car maintenance companies that this is a problem for many owners.
I have taken it to Rick Case Hyundai in GA only to be told that they are aware of these issues but are not willing to be proactive. So unless my engine rod fails there is nothing I can do. Except pay for $650 oil soak that doesn’t gurantee will correct the issue or keep checking my oil & adding oil as needed. I’m never buying another Hyundai if this is how you treat your consumers.
2017 Elantra I’m burning oil every 2,000 miles
Had a 2014 Hyundai elantra . Went to drive home from a hockey game and it rattled like it was out of oil . And it was ! Long story short ,needed a new engine @ 104,000 miles. Sorry out of warranty. Couldn’t afford so I had to trade it in for $1000 of course at Hyundai since nobody else would give me anything. So I started off in the hole $4000 when I bought my 2020 elantra . The first month thieves were able to pop my locked trunk and steal 3-5 grand worth of work tools. So I disabled the elec trunk opener. And now I am hearing about these tic tic punks straight ripping off the hole cars. WTF Hyundai?