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A Hyundai Elantra owner has filed a class action lawsuit against the automaker, claiming Hyundai misleads consumers about the fuel economy of its Elantra model. The Plaintiff says his Elantra is only getting about 29 mpg on the highway – far below the “40 Mile Per Gallon Elantra” pitch advertised by Hyundai.
Plaintiff Louis Bird, with the help of Consumer Watchdog, accuses Hyundai of advertising that the Hyundai Elantra gets 40 mpg without a government-mandated disclosure that the estimate is for highway driving only and that other measures are much lower. Bird alleges in the Elantra class action lawsuit that he kept a mileage log since he bought his Elantra last year and that despite doing most of his driving on open highways, he barely gets 29 miles per gallon.
The Hyundai Elantra mpg class action lawsuit is the second of its type filed recently against an automaker, highlighting the aggressive use of mileage numbers by manufacturers to advertise their vehicles. Honda reached a $170 million class action lawsuit settlement earlier this year to resolve claims it falsely advertised the fuel economy of its popular Honda Civic Hybrid (See “Honda Civic Hybrid Class Action Settlement”).
“We are hoping that other car makers will take notice and realize that if you do it wrong, you will have to pay the price,” said Jamie Court, executive director of Santa Monica-based Consumer Watchdog, which jointly filed the Hyundai Elantra class action lawsuit.
Bird is seeking class-action status and unspecified damages for all California residents who bought or leased a 2011 and 2012 Hyundai Elantra. He is also asking the Court to stop Hyundai from using gas mileage numbers in its Elantra ads without government-mandated disclosures.
Hyundai defended the Elantra 40 mpg estimate by saying it was certified by the Environmental Protection Agency, which publishes fuel economy ratings for all vehicles sold in the U.S. Critics, however, have long noted flaws with the EPA tests, which don’t mimic real-world driving conditions. Even the EPA on its own website notes that its ratings should be used to compare vehicles rather than predict what type of fuel economy an individual driver might get.
Analysts say the outcome of the Hyundai Elantra fuel economy class action lawsuit could affect automaker advertising and future litigation.
UPDATE 1: Hyundai and Kia reached a $400 million class action lawsuit settlement in February 2013, which was announced in December 2013.
UPDATE 2: A group of breakaway Class Members filed an objection to the proposed Hyundai Kia class action lawsuit settlement, calling it “unreasonable” and “unfair” to consumers.
UPDATE 3: A settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit alleging Hyundai Motor America and Hyundai Motor Company misrepresented the fuel economy of certain Hyundai vehicles. Consumers who purchased or leased certain Hyundai vehicles could be eligible for a cash payment or other benefits. Learn more at the Hyundai Fuel Economy Settlement.
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42 thoughts onHyundai Elantra 40 MPG Ads Are False, Class Action Lawsuit Says
We bought a new Sonata in 2011,keep it for about 5 months,was not anywhere the mileage advertized.We looked at the new Elantra,and was amazed a what the MPG was on it 47MPG advertized.We traded our Sonata in and took a big loss,but figured it would be worth it in the long run,as we were planning on seeing America.The best we have gotten is 33.I too would like to know how to get in on the class action law suite againt Hyundai.
We bought the 2013 Sorrento with the 4cyl engine to get the advertised 32mpg’s highway for longer trips. We never get more than 26-27mpg highway and less around town. Not at all what we wanted or were promised; cheated and stuck with it!! Where can we join the suit?
I have a 2011 sonata and it says that the estimated mpg is 35 mpg. This car never gets this mileage. I’d like to join also
I purchased a 2013 Hyundai Elantra and not pleased at all with the mileage I get. I have yet to see the 40mpg advertised. I would love to know how I can get in on this lawsuoit.
i also bought the elantra for the advertised mileage.. . as a hospice chaplain i drive a lot sometimes 200-300 a day so the advertised mileage was a plus….. i have NEVER got anywhere close to the 40+ mpg, i am doing good to get 30 – usually in high 20’s. how can i join this lawsuit
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We just leased a 2013 Elantra specifically because of the 40+mpg it advertised. We have driven it two months and have yet to see anything over 27mpg. The lawsuit says 2011-2012. Is there any help for those of us in California who purchased/leased a 2013 Elantra?
I wish I could get rid of my 2011 elantra lease. This isn’t the only problem with the car. They made the back so light that when you go over bumps on the highway the back jumps and sways to the side. Sometimes I almost lose control.
My 2013 has not gotten what my stickers say i should get. Best so far is 30. I have my window sticker and it says 33/40. I want to join also.
My 2013 Elantra barely gets 20 mpg in the city and maybe 25 on the highway. I bought this car for the good mileage advertised. I feel deceived. How do I go about joining the class action suit or what can I do ?
I bought a 2011 Elantra Limited and got terrible gas mileage, so I traded it in to get another 2011 Elantra thinking that I must have got a bad one, still terrible gas mileage, so I traded it in for a 2012 which I now have and still get around 27 miles per gallon. I have been out about 5,000 dollars trying to find a Elantra that gets close to the stated mpg. I would have bought a different vehicle if I new it didn’t get 40 mpg, the sticker says that it could get up to 47mpg. Now I am stuck with a car without power that gets poor gas mileage when I could have gotten a Diesel Passat that actually does over 40 mpg on a regular basis and is a much better car. I don’t even have a spare tire and I paid as much for the stupid car as I would for a Honda Accord or Passat Diesel. If I had only known that Hyundai was lying about the mileage I would never have bought the car. I paid over 24,000 dollars for a car that should have cost 12,000 dollars and all Hyudai has to do is reemburse me about 200 dollars after I have put nearly 59,000 miles on the car. They out to have to buy them back
I bought a 2013 Elantra in May 2012. When I put my for on the gas it goes like bear with a chapped butt. Pretty peppy car. Now with that said. I too have been one of the dissatisfied customers Hyundai not living up to the 40 mpg. I find that if you stay around 60 I get a little above 30 mpg. Only if I would have known, I would have bought a Mazda or some other car that gets better gas mileage. But I am stuck with it. Hyundai should offer to buy the cars back and give heavy discounts on another new car purchase. Or give $1000.00 rebate for every year of your loan. Lump sum payment. That way it Would be 6000.00 or so you could put on your car to help pay it off sooner. That would be a hell of a lot better. Than 300.00 that they are currently offering.
How can I sign on. Around town, 19.6 MPG, on highway, 33 MPG. I am retired and bought this car because of the advertised gas mileage. We had expected to do some road travel this year but with this gas mileage, we may have to curtail. I would have bought another car if I had known the truth.
Feel deceived & cheated by Hyundai. I’m getting a measly 19 mpg in the city on my 2013 Elantra Ltd. bought in February 2014.
I’m a retired senior citizen trying to make ends meet on a fixed income.
When I saw 29mpg/city, on the window sticker, I visualized major savings at the pump with today’s escalating gas prices.
I am not willing to accept this significant difference in MPG.
I am very eager to join the class-action lawsuit.
Need advice & guidance.