Sarah Mirando  |  December 7, 2012

Category: Consumer News

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Hyundai Kia class action settlementKia Motors America Inc. has been hit with a class action lawsuit alleging the Korean automaker defrauded consumers by overstating the fuel efficiency of five of its top models.

Lead plaintiff Richard Woodruff alleges in the Kia class action lawsuit that the Kia Optima HEV, Rio, Sorento, Soul and Sportage experienced a surge in sales for their 2011 to 2013 models based on an “extensive and misleading” marketing campaign that promoted them as achieving class-leading gas mileage.

However, on November 2 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revealed that Kia and its affiliate Hyundai Motor America had exaggerated car fuel economy estimates, and that most models actually received 1 to 2 miles per gallon less than advertised. The biggest discrepancy was with the Kia Soul, which actually received 6 mpg less than advertised. The debacle has been dubbed “MPG Gate” by the media.

“[Kia] inflated the results of mileage testing the company reported to the EPA and advertised that the affected vehicles achieved better fuel efficiency than actually achieved,” the Kia mpg class action lawsuit states. “This message was false and defendant failed to comply with EPA regulations which would have given consumers accurate information about the vehicles’ fuel efficiency.”

Hyundai has already been hit with a class action lawsuit over the fuel economy discrepancies, and a joint class action lawsuit was filed against Hyundai and Kia in November. Both companies have established a reimbursement program for current and former vehicle owners to cover the additional fuel costs that were incurred based on miles driven, plus an additional 15 percent of the reimbursement amount.

Hyundai and Kia customers with questions about the mileage reimbursement program can find answers at www.hyundaimpginfo.com and www.kiampginfo.com.

The Kia fuel economy class action lawsuit is brought on behalf of a proposed nationwide class of consumers that purchased a 2011-2012 Optima HEV, 2012-2013 Rio, 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2013 Soul (including the Eco) and the 2012-2013 Sportage. It is seeking restitution, disgorgement of profits, and damages for violation of California’s business code and false advertising law, fraud, negligent misrepresentation and deceit.

The Kia Fuel Economy Class Action Lawsuit case is Woodruff v. Kia Motors America Inc., Case No. 12-cv-06155, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The plaintiff is represented by Deborah R. Rosenthal of Simmons Browder Gianaris Angelides & Barnerd LLC.

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88 thoughts onKia Fuel Economy Class Action Lawsuit

  1. dorinda edwards says:

    I have filled out the paper work on line I am still waiting on my money from the settelment. I havent heard a thing.

  2. Gail Tamburo says:

    Good luck I submitted all my information months ago heard nothing back when I tried to check the status of my claim they have no knowledge of my claim but my vin# shows up on their web site I bought a 2012 Kia Soul in July of 2012 use it for work all highway mileage costing me a fortune for gas.

    1. shan says:

      I haven’t received anything either..

  3. Ericka says:

    I’ve been driving my 2014 kia soul with the eco button on since the day I got it, because that’s what the salesman told me to do. I drive less that 20 miles and it’s used half a tank of fuel! How is this right?! I haven’t seen any leaks.

  4. Louise Czyz says:

    I received notification asking me to declare how I want settlement money. I cannot find paper. I want a one time cash settlement. Where do I go from here? Thank you!

  5. michael torres says:

    I want in on class action lawsuit my vin# is5XYKTCA66DG345313
    654500210 unique ID #

  6. michael bates says:

    i mailed in the claim form, along with the required documents on my 2012 kia soul. the form said I would receive $1170, but how can I check the status of my filing and when I should be receiving the debit card?

  7. Dorothy Neese says:

    Received letter about settlement with Kia. I have 2012 Sorento & really do like car-gas mileage not what I thought it would be. Cannot find place to register VIN# & Unique I’D #. Please advise. Thanks

  8. Phoebe Ann Madole says:

    I received the letter regarding the fuel/ mileage. I did receive a debit card twice, for the low mileage on my Kia Soul. I love this car, but can only get 22-24 MPG, even on long trips. It”s not the way I drove either. It goes in every 3000 miles for oil change and it was almost a year before I put 3000 miles on the car.
    there is no place to put the VIN # or the Unique ID number or any form.

  9. Jimmy H. Hayes says:

    I received a letter from Kia stating lawsuit was settled. The letter advised me to go toKiampgclassSettlement.com to file a claim. I was unable to locate a claim form.

    1. paul gaeta says:

      i’m also having a problem getting a claim form…..please let me know,,,,i tried the the website they gave…but no info how to get claim form….the site I went to ….www.kiampgclasssettlement.com……I hate going to a lawyer

  10. anonymous says:

    I brought a 2013 shortage and they told me I would get 28 to30 mpg I drive 58 miles a day to work and back the first month i had it I put 300 dollars worth of gas in it couldn’t afford it so I traded it in 2014

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