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Numerous plaintiffs have filed a class action lawsuit against Kia, alleging that several of the company’s vehicles are equipped with defective engines prone to failure.
In their KIA class action lawsuit, plaintiffs allege that Kia Motors America Inc. and its parent company, Hyundai Motor Company, knowingly equipped several years of vehicles with defective engines. The vehicles affected by the alleged defect include 2011-14 Kia Optima vehicles, 2011-13 Kia Sportage vehicles, 2013-14 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles, or 2013-14 Hyundai Sonata vehicles.
The affected vehicles are allegedly equipped with Hyundai 2.0 liter or 2.4 liter engines. These engines allegedly contain metal debris left over from the manufacturing process. Plaintiffs claim that the metal debris left over from manufacturing mix with engine oil and create oil sludge, which then clogs and interrupts vital processes of the engine’s power train. The metal debris can allegedly cause further damage by wearing down parts of the engine.
The damage caused by the metal debris can allegedly cause the engine to seize, stop running, and, in some cases, catch fire.
“The engines fail, the vehicles often catch fire, costing the Plaintiffs tens of thousands of dollars in repairs, car payments for a near worthless non-operable vehicle and often total loss of the vehicle,” the Kia class action lawsuit claims “This problem makes the vehicle a hazard to owners and other individuals who may be in harm’s way.”
Plaintiffs in the Kia class action have allegedly experienced this engine defect with no relief offered by Kia or Hyundai. Some plaintiffs experienced the engine defect while driving, causing them to lose control of the vehicle and risk serious injury to themselves and other drivers. Several other plaintiffs experienced financial damages including repossession, cost of repairs, credit damage, and more. In all cases, the vehicle companies refused to pay for repairs and claimed that the issue was not eligible for coverage under warranty.
According to the complaint, Kia and Hyundai knew about the issue with their engines, but actively concealed the problem and misled the public about the risks associated with their vehicles. Countless consumers have allegedly complained to the companies about the issues with little result.
Eventually, the 2013-14 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles and 2013-14 Hyundai Sonata vehicles were recalled by the companies. However, the plaintiffs note that it still took a full year after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) began their investigation for the companies to expand their recall to include the other affected vehicles.
The Kia class action lawsuit brings a variety of claims including breach of warranties, violation of Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, negligence, breach of contract, common law fraud, and violation of state consumer laws.
Plaintiffs seek to represent consumers who purchased or leased a 2011-14 Kia Optima, 2011-13 Kia Sportage, 2013-14 Hyundai Santa Fe, or 2013-14 Hyundai Sonata. The plaintiffs also seek to represent several state subclasses.
The Kia class action lawsuit seeks actual damages, compensatory damages, general damages, special damages, incidental damages, statutory damages, punitive damages, consequential damages, court costs, and attorneys’ fees.
Plaintiffs are represented by Shmuel Klein of Law Office of Shmuel Klein PA.
The Kia Class Action Lawsuit is Chieco, et al. v. Kia Motors America Inc., et al., Case No. 3:18-cv-16215-MAS-DEA, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.
UPDATE: The Vehicle Safety Defect Investigation is now open! If you own a vehicle that has a safety defect and you believe it should be covered by the warranty and it’s not, submit your information here.
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119 thoughts onKia Class Action Alleges Optima, Sportage Engine Defect
I have a 2014 Kia Optima. No low oil pressure light came on but I just happened to check the oil and the dip stick was dry. The car is at the dealership now and they told me that I should have let the engine seize and then they would have replaced the engine under the 100,000 mile warranty. This is a safety issue that the dealership acknowledges (also high oil consumption) but they can’t do any repairs or testing for free. I would have to pay out of pocket. I understand that Kia is aware of the problem but maybe they are waiting for someone to have a major accident or die before they will do something….?
The same thing happened to my son’s Kia Optima early this week. The dealer here won’t fix it! Did you hear back from anyone to see if there is any open class actions lawsuits for this?
TIA
the milage was 57, 671.
2013 Kia Sportage. Purchased used from Carmax – there was no warranty transferred to me. Engine failed at high speed in October 2020. The engine had l57,671 miles. No warning lights were on prior to the engine failure. The engine was replaced by a Kia dealership. In addition, the oil had metal pieces – so every part that oil touched had to be replaced as well. $7442.82 in repairs. The engine was a 2.4L DOHC CVVT 4-cylinder, not a Theta II engine. Please let me know where/when I can sign up for this lawsuit.
the milage was 57, 671.
milage was 57,671 not 157,671
Got a 2013 Optima with only 86k miles & engine is seized. Can I join class action?
Have a 2014 Kia Optima, was driving yesterday 2/25/2021 stopped at a red light when the light turned green hit the gas and the car wouldn’t move. I had no prior problems, no indicator lights of any kind car was running fine. Had it towed to a repair shop and they said the engine is locked up.
Please add me to this list.
Was quoted a price for a new engine at 7000.00 or basically a junkyard engine for 4000.00
Can’t afford either and still owe money on this car.
Add me to the list too please. 2013 Kia Sportage about 125,000 miles and engine turned off in the middle of the highway. Took it in and they said engine seized up. Like how? We have took it in regularly no problems ever been up to date on all oil changes, repairs, etc…
I bought my Kia Optima 2014 in USA. I bring it in my country Sénégal since 2017 I repair 3 times the engineer it cost me much. I don’t know what to do now.
I have a 2013 Kia Sportage 2.4l that i was told needed a new engine due to knocking that started 2 months ago. Being that i purchased the car from my cousin i called Kia consumer to see if the engine was still under warranty. It was not and i was also denied good will. Now 6 weeks later we received a letter in the mail stating there was a class action lawsuit for all 2011-2019 2.0-2.4l kia sportages. I called and they stated my VIN wasn’t part of the settlement? If this settlement covers all 2011-2019 Kia sportages why isn’t mine? I am still waiting for that phone call as to why my VIN isn’t in this settlement.
I have a 2013 Kia Sportage and I am being told that at 106k miles and no extended warranty that there is nothing they will do. I already owe more on the POS than it is worth and have to continue to make payments on a care that doesn’t work because the motor seized uo in the middle of a major intersection. I almost would have been better to have gotten hit and totaled the thing. I have already wasted so much time and money. I am a single parent who is going to school and working part time and have no reliable vehicle for me and my dauhghters. I need some sort of help and the sooner the better.
2013 Kia Sportage completely shut off while driving on the freeway thought it wast my alternator or starter took it to a mechanic shop and they told me I have a bad engine I still owe money on it but the engine is almost half the price I still owe on it idk what to do