Hyundai class action alleges Genesis vehicles suffer premature clear coat, paint damage.

Hyundai class action overview: 

• Who: Plaintiff Gaetano Russo filed a class action against Hyundai Motor America.
• Why: The Hyundai paint and clear coat on its Genesis vehicles prematurely oxidizes, weakens and peels off, the lawsuit claims.
• Where: The class action was filed in federal court in New York.

A new Hyundai class action lawsuit claims the paint and clear coat on its Hyundai Genesis line of vehicles prematurely weakens and peels off.

Repair estimates for the paint damage were between $200 and $1,800, the class action says.

“Those who have complained on sites like genesisowners.com and carcomplaints.com have stated that they reported the clear coat/paint damage and related issues to defendant, only to be ignored and have to take care of the damage themselves, with defendant taking little to no responsibility,” the Hyundai paint lawsuit says.

Hyundai sold Genesis vehicles under the Hyundai brand from 2008 to 2016, spinning off Genesis as its own brand. Many Hyundai Genesis owners have chosen to live with the paint defect due to high repair costs, the lawsuit says.

The class action claims the Hyundai paint defect is clearly preventable because other automobiles made with clear coat and paint do not have similar issues.

Oxidation causes Hyundai paint to fade, turn color and peel, class action claims

New Hyundai Genesis vehicles were and continue to be sold at a premium price compared to other vehicles that do not have the same paint issues, the class action claims.

The paint issues are due to premature oxidation that can begin on Genesis vehicles as early as two to three years after rolling off the assembly line.

“Oxidation causes paint to turn dull, become faded, and in the case of light-colored paint, like cream and white, take on a yellow/orange color,” the class action says.

The class seeks to represent Hyundai Genesis owners in New York. The class is asking for monetary damages, costs and expenses along with attorney fees and court costs.

Hyundai recently agreed to a class action lawsuit settlement to resolve claims that some of its vehicles are defective and susceptible to theft. 

Do you own a Hyundai Genesis vehicle? Let us know in the comments.

The plaintiff is represented by Spencer Sheehan of Sheehan & Associates PC.

The Hyundai class action lawsuit is Russo v. Hyundai Motor America, Case No. 2:24-cv-01914 , in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, Central Islip.

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