Kia And Hyundai Owners File Class-Action Lawsuit Over Engine Fires

A group of Kia and Hyundai owners have filed a class-action lawsuit against the automakers over an alleged defect that could, and has, caused noncollision fires. Back in October, the Center for Auto Safety demanded a recall of cars using the so-called Theta II engine. The turbocharged Theta II four-cylinder engine finds a home in the 2011-14 Kia Sorento, Kia Optima, Hyundai Sonata and Hyundai Santa Fe, as well as the 2010-15 Kia Soul.

More than 350 consumer complaints have been filed to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as a result of the automakers’ “concealment of the defect,” according to the suit, which can be read here.

According to an Automotive News report, NHTSA is probing “the timeliness and scope of the carmakers’ recalls relating to manufacturing errors” in the powerplant. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York has opened a criminal investigation into the matter as well. read more »

You’d Think One Scandal Would Be Enough For An Automaker, But …

Volkswagen has for nearly the last three years been fighting the diesel emissions scandal known as Dieselgate. It has cost the automaker nearly $30 billion. So you think, the carmaker would not want to expose itself to a new round of scandal, wouldn't you? Apparently, it's not a big issue with VW as it may be sellng uncertified cars to consumers, a definite no-no. read more »