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 the same problem on 2017 santa fe have only. 60 tausend miles overy 1000 miles i put 3 quarts of oil
Losing oil
2017 Santa Fe
Same issue on my 2016 Veloster turbo.
I have a 2020 Kia Soul off the lot practically new when I bought it. I just had my engine stall and cut off on me in the middle of the road. I had just got an oil change and I thought it was because I tried a new company. I needed up having to pay for a whole new oil change and service 300 something out of pocket. Just ridiculous. Now they are offering me a 2023 Kia Soul that I turned down but I’m thinking I should go for it
You should absolutely take the offer if your current car is affected by this class action lawsuit. If you have a way out, take it!
Well our check engine light has been on for about 6 months now on our 2014 Hyundai Elantra now almost 170,000 miles no issues running until today while my husband was driving it it just stalled and shut off with the battery light and low oil pressure light coming on. He was able to start it back up and a little while later while driving it stalled again. Firestone checked it said the check engine light code pulled was evap probably the gas tank cap and he checked the oil level was full so since the low pressure oil light was on he said the engine is getting enough oil causing car to stall and shut off said to take to dealership may be the oil pump which Firestone shop had no one there that could install it.
I have a 16 Elantra GT.. I have to make sure I keep oil handy everywhere I go! I am checking it every 200-300 miles. Can’t find a leak.
You won’t find a leak if it’s the issue regarding the lawsuit. It’s burning it, not leaking. There really is no fix besides a new engine/rebuild. That’s why Hyundai needs to FIX THIS! They made a BAD ENGINE.
My 2015 Hyundai Tuscon is also having the same issue of consuming oil with no one able to resolve. Keep having to add oil every week.
I own a 2017 Hyundai Sonata. Like everyone else, my car has been burning through excessive oil for at least 3 years now. I’ve had the oil changed with multiple mechanics and various Hyundai dealerships, but the problem still persists. Around the 2k mile mark my oil pressure light comes on. I put another 5 qts of oil in until the next 2k when I take it in for an oil change. When is someone going to hold Hyundai accountable for this? What can I do to get added to this class action lawsuit???
My 2017 Sonata has been burning oil since the beginning of 2022. Did an oil consumption test with Hyundai which took three months and concluded that it is burning 2.3 quarts per 1000m. I took the car in two months after the power train and Hyundai is asking for $1500 to replace the engine and not willing to cover a rental car. Just these past few months, I have already spent over 1k on this car!
I’m honestly shocked you found a dealer willing to replace the engine for a discounted price! Obviously it should be recalled all together since they sold a bad engine, but at least you have an option. Most of us have no option whatsoever but to continue driving around with extra oil or take the loss and get a different car :( I’d take a new engine for 1500, but I understand that’s not an option for everyone. We all got screwed.
My 2016 Hyundai Sonata have been having this issue for years so I have keep oil in my trunk. I’m glad to know it’s not only my car I’ve had them check for oil leaks and everything and never can find anything. Now it all make sense!