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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3,223 thoughts onHyundai class action over excessive oil consumption dismissed
2017 Hyundai Tucson, having same issues, bought the car used and didn’t realize this was an issue. very frustrating
I have a 2017 Hyundai Sonata and it has been burning through at least 3 quarts of oil a month. Which I personally think is way too much for a 6yr old car. Now just recently it has started stalling when I begin accelerating from a stop. Don’t think I have warranty anymore, and would hate taking it to the Hyundai dealership since I know it would cost me way more than taking it somewhere else.
I’ve got a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. It too consumes a lot of oil. I have to check it every week. Uses about a half quart a week. I didn’t know this until I heard the tapping. Unfortunately I still owe $16,000.
I have a 2015 Hyundai Sonata sport. It has a turbocharger. The dealer said that the turbo will cause the engine to use oil. I call B.S. on that. My grandson has the same year and model also. It also uses oil. Same answer.
I have a 2018 Hyundai Elantra. My car broke down and stalled on a busy highway. Car is still under warranty. Hyundai told me that my only option is to just keep adding oil every week until the warranty expires and then its not their problem anymore. Asked what the trade in value was for a new car and Hyundai said $0. Hyundai did say I could apply for an engine replacement but would most likely be rejected as I did not have all of my servicing done at Hyundai dealerships. Have been a lifetime happy customer of Hyundai until now. Switching to Mazda.
I have a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The car has been consuming oil for quite some time now. Went in for an oil combustion check— failed 3 of 4 tests but because they were able to get the 4th one to pass, it was declared OK. 5 months later, I’m calling them up tellling them the engine now suffers from knocking, continued oil burning, and I pressed to get the car in sooner than…. July. (it’s May 13, as of this writing)
I’m going to insist the dealer and Hyundai order their “lifetime guarantee” on their engine and replace it at no cost to me. But I’m expecting there to be some kind of fine print here.
My 2019 Hyundai Tuscan that I just bought last year, motor just seized and I got an oil change only a couple of miles ago.
Thankfully, warrenty is covering the cost of a new motor. However, this may be a good time to trade this baby in for something more reliable.
I have a 2017 sonata burning through oil. They say bring it in every 1000 miles. This is the second time in under since November 2022 we are having to do this. Clearly a big problem. My car is now starting to hesitated when making turns
I have a 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe and I constantly have to get oil changes even driving 3000 miles on fully synthetic. My car burns so much oil and it’s black and I take it to the dealer and they said it’s normal for the year of this car prior to that I had a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe, and that did not burn any oil whatsoever until I needed an oil change, I just recently got an oil change and my car started making a weird noise then I take it back to the place I got an oil change at it and they told me I was 4 quarts low after just getting an oil change I take it to the dealer and they tell me everything is fine There’s nothing wrong with my car after they did an oil consumption test But my car still is burning way too much oil and they won’t do anything about it
Bought new 2013 Sonya SE as a Disable veteran wanted a vehicle for reliability and warranty! I was ensured this would be great and what was looking for! Love the vehicle how ever started using oil had taking it in they wanted to do consumption report I asked if it runs low can I fill to make to dealer they said no so how am I to get vehicle to you is Hyundia going to pay for tow they replied no it’s up to you. What if engine blows when low on oil will Hyundia take care of it. They replied No. So why do a consumption report it’s to see if Hyundia will cover it. I said who can take that chance blowing it up or being left a hefty tow bill! With this type of warranty wouldn’t recommend anyone to purchase any car from Hyundia.