Kia class action claims Tellurides have brake defect

Kia Telluride class action overview: 

• Who: Two Kia Telluride drivers are suing the automaker.
• Why: The plaintiffs say some of the vehicles contain a dangerous brake defect.
• Where: The Kia class action was filed in a California federal court.

Kia has been hit with a class action lawsuit by two drivers who allege the automaker’s 2020-2024 Telluride SUVs contain a life-threatening brake defect. 

Plaintiffs Sara Raymond and Michelle O’Brien filed the class action complaint Dec. 18 against Kia America Inc. in a California federal court, alleging violations of state and federal consumer laws.

According to the lawsuit, the Telluride’s braking system suffers from a defect that causes the brake pedal to lose hydraulic pressure, rendering it “spongy” and ineffective. This issue leaves drivers unable to stop reliably, putting passengers and other road users at significant risk of accidents, the complaint states.

“Kia has omitted this material information from consumers and has not issued a recall or reliable fix,” the complaint alleges, adding that class members are “left in the lurch, driving vehicles with brakes that could unexpectedly fail at any moment.”

According to the plaintiffs, Kia has known about the defect but has failed to take appropriate action. The defect reportedly stems from issues in the master cylinder that reduce brake fluid pressure, leading to the failure of the braking system.

Plaintiff alleges brake defect caused her to crash

Plaintiff Sara Raymond says she experienced the defect firsthand in her 2023 Kia Telluride. On Nov. 7 this year, she says the brakes on her vehicle suddenly failed as she got to the top of a hill, causing a collision with another car.

Since the incident, Raymond’s car has been in a Kia dealership and body shop for over six weeks, she says. Despite repeated requests, Kia has not provided her with a loaner vehicle, forcing her to pay approximately $2,000 in rental car fees, she claims. Additionally, Raymond says she incurred $400 in towing costs.

“Because of the Defect, and Kia’s inability or refusal to permanently remedy the issue, Plaintiff continues to be exposed to a—and is very concerned about an ongoing—serious safety risk associated with brake failure in the Class Vehicle,” the lawsuit says.

As a result, the plaintiffs are looking to represent anyone who owns or leases a 2020-2024 Telluride SUV. They are suing for violations of warranty laws, fraud and unjust enrichment and seek certification of the class action, damages, including out-of-pocket expenses, and a permanent fix or recall. 

Meanwhile, Kia is recalling certain 2024 model year EV9 GT-Line and Land vehicles due to a software issue that can result in insufficient brake pressure.

What do you think of the allegations in this Kia class action? Let us know in the comments. 

The plaintiff is represented by Robert Ahdoot and Theodore W. Maya of Ahdoot & Wolfson PC.

The Kia class action is Sara Raymond et al. v. Kia America Inc., Case No. 8:24-cv-02737  in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

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