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South Korean automakers Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Motors Corp. announced that they have reached a combined $400 million settlement in a class action lawsuit alleging that they inflated the fuel economy data for their vehicles.
The Hyundai vehicles included in the class action settlement are the Accent, Elantra, Veloster, Veloster Turbo, Sonata Hybrid, Azera, Genesis, Tucson and Santa Fe Sport. The Kia vehicles affected include the Rio, Sportage, Sorento, Soul and Optima hybrid.
Both companies admitted to inflating the fuel economy data for an estimated 600,000 Hyundai and 300,000 Kia vehicles. Hyundai is expected to pay out $210 million, depending on how Class Members would take their payment, which can be as a lump sum or through a lifetime reimbursement program based on restated mileage numbers from November 2012. Kia, on the other hand, is projected to pay out $185 million. This would bring the total cost for the two companies to about $400 million.
Each Kia owner covered by the class action settlement may receive an average lump sum of $667, while Hyundai owners are expected to receive an average payout of $353. Payment may still vary based on whether the vehicle was purchased or leased.
Owners may also decline and stay on an earlier plan where special debit cards were issued by the automakers to reimburse for the difference in mileage. Owners are required to report their actual usage to their local dealers.
Another option is dealership credit of 150% of the lump sum cash payment for service or repairs. Class Members may also avail of 200% of the cash amount toward the purchase of a new Hyundai or Kia vehicle.
Early this year, the automakers made public apologies, calling the discrepancies in fuel economy data as “procedural errors.” Consumers allege in the class action lawsuit that Hyundai and Kia “knowingly or recklessly exaggerated estimated gas mileage and fuel economy rating information… In order to entice” consumers into buying the vehicles.
Since the discovery, Kia and Hyundai have changed the window stickers of most of their models to reflect the actual fuel economy of the vehicles. The Elantra lost two miles per gallon, while the Hyundai Santa Fe went from 33 mpg to 29 mpg. The 2013 Kia Soul lost six from its highway figure, lowering it from 34 mpg to 28 mpg.
A federal court in Los Angeles is expected to rule on the proposed Hyundai Kia class action settlement in early 2014.
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The consolidated Hyundai/Kia Mileage Class Action Lawsuit case is In Re: Hyundai and Kia Fuel Economy Litigation, MDL 2424, in the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation.
UPDATE 1: 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 2: 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.
UPDATE 3: As of Apr. 11, 2016, six different appeals have been filed concerning the Hyundai Fuel Economy Settlement. Until the Court resolves those appeals, the Claims Administrator is unable to mail out settlement funds.
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65 thoughts onHyundai, Kia Reach $400M Class Action Settlement Over MPG Claims
Any other owners of qualifying KIA vehicles feel that the proposed settlement is greatly inadequate to our gasoline losses and depreciated vehicle values? As a Sorento owner I have never achieved over 19 MPG city and 24 MPG highway. KIA has agreed to only a fraction of these losses and continues to claim that its false MPG postings are due to calculation errors. This defies common sense and no one believes it. As plaintiffs in this class action case we also need to be told what the proposed settlement contains regarding attorney fees for the law firm of Hagens Berman Sobol & Shapiro.
Yes David, Grossly inadequate. I filed with Florida State Attorney General, Fl Lemon Law, Fl Consumer Protection Agency, BBB Auto Line, to no avail. I have spent over a year of working with them and they all failed me. I have lost all faith in these agencies and my government to protect me.
Bought a 2013 Hyundai Veloster… need claim form…
For those of you with questions, please see the following website by Hyundai-there will no doubt be an updated site for actions pertaining to the settlement itself, provided it’s approved by the Federal Court: https://hyundaimpginfo.com/
As stated in the article above: “The Hyundai vehicles included in the class action settlement are the Accent, Elantra, Veloster, Veloster Turbo, Sonata Hybrid, Azera, Genesis, Tucson and Santa Fe Sport. The Kia vehicles affected include the Rio, Sportage, Sorento, Soul and Optima hybrid.” The model years affected are 2011-2013.
BOUGHT 2012 KIA NEED CLAIM FORM HELP
I have a 2006 Hyundai sonata do I qualify?
Im in the same boat, I bought a 2006 Hyundai sonata too!
BOUGHT 2012 KIA HELP WHERE IS THE CLAIM FORM OR WHO DO WE CALL HELP
im in the same boat as you I bought a 2012 kia soul and I cant find the place on here to join the law suit so if you or someone on here finds where to join please post it thank you
OBJECTING TO THE HYUNDAI-KIA PROPOSED fuel economy settlement. The proposed settlement has NOT been approved by the court yet and is set for hearing in March or April. You can object to the HYUNDAI – KIA class action proposed settlement. if you don’t like any part of it. You should give reasons why you think the court should not approve it. Mention In re Hyundai and Kia Fuel Economy Litigation No. MDL 13-2424-GW (C.D. Cal.). Be sure to include your name, address, telephone number, signature, and if applicable Vehicle Vin number. Mail your letter to these three addresses: Clerk of the Court, United States District Court Central District of California, 255 East Temple St., Los Angeles, CA 90012–3332; Robert B. Carey, Hagans Berman Sobel Shapiro LLP, 11 West Jefferson St., Suite 1000, Phoenix, AZ 85003, Michael L. Kidney, Hogan Lovells US LLP, 555 Thirteenth Street NW, Washington DC 20004. COURT DOCUMENTS CAN BE SEEN ON THE SITE PACER.GOV. Also see the site attorney-ethics-elderly-abuse.com for updates on the class action.
I have purchased a kia soul and a Hyundai accent who do I call
Seems like a trade off for Elantra owners. If you have signed up for the debit card, you can get a little more over the long haul then the potential $357 from lawsuit.
What years of the cars are involved?
See the site attorney-ethics-elderly-abuse.com. Accent 2012 2013
Azera 2012 2013
Elantra 2011 2012 2013
Elantra coupe 2013
Elantra GT 2013
Genesis 2012 2013
Santa Fe sport 2013
Sonata HEV 2011 2012
Tucson 2012 2013
Veloster 2012 2013
Optima HEV 2011 2012
Rio 2012 2013
Sorento GDI engine 2012 2013
Sold 2012 2013
Soul ECO 2012 2013
Sportage 2012 2013
I own a 2007 Hyundai Entourage, which they do not produce anymore. Will I get money back/? The sticker said we would get 20+ city. We top out at 16 mpg city. They kept telling us the engine takes a year to break in….yeah right
No only 2011-2013 seem to be part of this class action suit.
this law suit is for 2011 and 2012..