Hyundai faces recent recalls, class actions

Hyundai recalls, class action lawsuits overview: 

• Who: Consumers recently targeted Hyundai Motor America with two class action lawsuits. The automaker also issued two recalls. Additionally, a class of vehicle owners asked a federal judge to approve a class action settlement with Hyundai and Kia. 
• Why: The class action lawsuits involve alleged paint and headlight defects. The recalls address a fuel pump defect and a loss of motive power.. 
• Where: Consumers nationwide drive Hyundai vehicles. 

Consumers recently targeted Hyundai Motor America with a pair of class action lawsuits and agreed to a class action settlement with the company. The automaker also announced two recalls.. 

The class action lawsuits involve alleged paint and headlight assembly defects, while the class action settlement ended claims Hyundai and Kia sold vehicles with defects that made them vulnerable to theft.  

Hyundai also issued recalls for concerns involving a fuel pump defect and a sudden loss of motive power for certain Hyundai Genesis vehicles and model year 2020 and newer Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride vehicles, respectively.  

Hyundai recalls new Elantra, Venue, Kona vehicles over power loss defect 

Hyundai issued a recall for 13,511 model year 2024 Hyundai Elantra, Venue and Kona vehicles earlier this month over concerns they could experience a sudden loss of motive power due to a short circuit. 

According to the recall notice, the automaker says it is concerned the can suffer an electrical short that potentially causes their malfunction indicator light to illuminate and/or the vehicle to suffer a sudden loss of motive power while in operation. 

“Sudden, unexpected loss of motive power could increase the risk of a crash, especially at high 

speeds,” the recall notice states.

Hyundai recalls 2021-2023 Genesis vehicles over fuel pump concerns

Hyundai issued a recall for 31,440 of its 2021-2023 Genesis vehicles in April over concerns an impeller can become deformed under high heat, causing the fuel pump to shut down. 

“A shutdown of the fuel pump could restrict fuel flow to the engine, resulting in a sudden reduction or loss of motive power, increasing the risk of a crash,” the Hyundai recall states. 

The recall affects 12,763 model year 2022-2023 Genesis GV70, 14,414 2021-2023 Genesis GV80, 2,899 2021-2023 Genesis G80 and 1,364 2022-2023 Genesis G90 vehicles.

Vehicles have improperly sealed headlight assemblies, class action claims

A consumer filed a class action lawsuit against Hyundai in March over claims the automaker sold newer Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade vehicles with improperly sealed headlight assemblies. 

The lawsuit claims improper sealing on the headlight assemblies of the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride vehicles allowed moisture to enter the headlights, causing them to dim over time. 

“The headlight defect endangers drivers, pedestrians and other vehicles because it makes accidents wherein the vehicle strikes a person, animal or object in the roadway more likely,” the Hyundai class action states. 

The consumer claims Hyundai sent technical service bulletins to authorized repair facilities about the alleged defect but failed to inform consumers about it. 

Class action says paint on Genesis vehicles prematurely weakens, peels off

A consumer filed a class action lawsuit against Hyundai in March over claims the paint and color coat on its Genesis vehicles prematurely weakens and peels off, causing pricey repair costs.

The class action lawsuit claims the defect is preventable and that many Genesis owners simply choose to live with the issue as it allegedly costs between $200 and $1,800 to fix the defect. 

“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 class action states. 

Drivers ask judge to approve $145M Kia, Hyundai theft settlement 

A class of Hyundai and Kia drivers asked a federal judge in California last month to grant final approval of a $145 million settlement to resolve claims they sold vehicles containing defects that left them vulnerable to theft. 

The settlement includes at least $80 million in compensation for drivers who suffered losses from car thefts or attempted car thefts and a free software upgrade that will prevent the vehicles from being able to start without a key present. 

“The settlement offers significant relief to class members who will receive virtually all the relief that plaintiffs originally sought in this first-of-its-kind action,” class members write in a motion filed April 18. 

Have you been affected by a Hyundai recall or class action lawsuit? Let us know in the comments.

Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:

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• NHTSA investigating Ford Blue Cruise hands-free driving system after 3 deaths
• GM class action alleges vehicles with Hydra-Matic 8L90 transmission have defects
• Drivers with defective Subaru windshields would receive replacements, refunds under proposed settlement