Own a 2011-2019 Hyundai or Kia?
A dangerous defect means your vehicle could catch fire or suffer engine failure. You may be entitled to reimbursement. Find out your rights »
02/08/23 | Settlement Preliminarily Approved
On Feb. 8, 2023, Judge Josephine L. Staton preliminarily approved a settlement that will benefit more than 2.1 million Hyundai and Kia owners suffering from a serious defect that can cause spontaneous fires and engine failure. Remedies offered under the settlement include a 15-year or 150,000-mile extended warranty which covers all costs associated with inspections and repairs, replacement parts, labor and mechanical or cosmetic damage caused by the defect. Class members may also qualify for goodwill payments of up to $150. Defendants will provide a comparable class of loaner vehicle during any repairs under the Extended Warranty, or, if a loaner is not available, up to $80 per day of reimbursement for reasonable transportation expenses.
The order also certifies a class consisting of “[a]ll owners and lessees of a Class Vehicle who purchased or leased a Class Vehicle in the United States, including those that were purchased while the owner was abroad on active U.S. military duty, but excluding those purchased in U.S. territories and/or abroad.” Additionally, Judge Staton’s order appoints Hagens Berman’s Steve Berman as co-lead counsel for the nationwide class.
In May 2021, Hagens Berman achieved a settlement offering relief valued at up to $1.3 billion for the owners of Hyundai and Kia vehicles equipped with Theta II GDI engines, and this newest settlement brings relief to owners of vehicles with Gamma GDI and Nu GDI engines as well as Theta II MPI engines.
Notice of the settlement will be sent to class members via mail and email within 120 days, and a final fairness hearing is scheduled for Sept. 8, 2023.
The following vehicles equipped with certain engines have been identified as at risk for spontaneously catching on fire in non-collision events and/or suffering premature engine failure:
AFFECTED VEHICLES
- 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe (2.4L Theta II MPI engines)
- 2011–2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid (2.4L Theta II MPI HEV engines)
- 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid (2.0L Nu GDI HEV engines)
- 2015–2016 Hyundai Veloster (1.6L Gamma GDI engines)
- 2014–2019 Hyundai Tucson (1.6L Gamma and 2.0L Nu GDI engines)
- 2011–2013 Kia Optima Hybrid (2.4L Theta II MPI engines)
- 2012 Kia Sportage (2.4L Theta II MPI engines)
- 2012–2013 Kia Sorento (2.4L Theta II MPI engines)
- 2012–2013 Kia Forte and Forte Koup (2.4L Theta II MPI engines)
- 2014–2015 Kia Forte and Forte Koup (2.0L Nu GDI engines)
- 2014–2015 Kia Soul (2.0L Nu GDI engines)
- 2012–2019 Kia Soul (1.6L Gamma and 2.0L Nu GDI engines)
- 2012–2019 Kia Rio (1.6L Gamma GDI engines)
- Additional Hyundai and Kia vehicles equipped with Theta II GDI engines have been affected and are the subject of a pending settlement. Find out more »
HYUNDAI/KIA ENGINE FIRE HAZARD EXPLAINED
Millions of Hyundai and Kia vehicles are at risk for spontaneous, non-collision engine fires or premature engine failure, putting drivers under serious threat of physical injury and damage to their vehicles while driving.
As of October 2018, more than 220 consumer complaints of non-collision fires in these vehicles were submitted to NHTSA and the Center for Auto Safety combined. Between June 12 and October 12, 2018, the Center for Auto Safety learned of 103 additional fire reports — an 85 percent increase — and continues to receive new reports of engine failures and fires across various models.
Along with creating a severe driving hazard and increasing the chance of injury or death, the end result of the engine defect is serious, extensive, and expensive damage to the engine and/or total loss of the vehicle.”
ABOUT THE DEFECT
Our firm's investigation has revealed that the defect affects a myriad of Hyundai and Kia vehicles equipped with certain gasoline direct injection (GDI) engines and multipoint fuel injection (MPI) engines.
These engines were manufactured defectively resulting in premature wear of the connecting rod bearings. A worn connecting rod bearing may result in an abnormal knocking noise from the engine and/or illumination of the oil pressure warning light. Continually driving a vehicle with a worn connecting rod bearing can damage the engine and eventually cause catastrophic engine failure. It can also result in a damaged connecting rod puncturing the engine block, causing engine oil to leak and ignite a fire.
YOUR CONSUMER RIGHTS
Hagens Berman believes vehicle owners deserve more, and that these automakers should be held accountable for putting owners and drivers at grave risk of injury. While Hyundai and Kia would rather wait until they are forced to act, we think those put in harm's way should receive immediate help.
TOP AUTO LITIGATION FIRM
Hagens Berman is one of the most successful auto litigation law firms in the U.S. and is presently leading nationwide cases against Hyundai, Kia, Volkswagen, GM, Mercedes, and Fiat Chrysler for safety defects and emissions-cheating. Your claim will be handled by attorneys experienced in automotive consumer law.
NO COST TO YOU
There is no out-of-pocket cost or fee to join this case. In the event Hagens Berman or any other firm obtains a settlement that provides benefits to class members, the court will determine and award reasonable fees and costs to the class’s legal team.
CASE TIMELINE
On Feb. 8, 2023, Judge Josephine L. Staton preliminarily approved a settlement that will benefit more than 2.1 million Hyundai and Kia owners suffering from a serious defect that can cause spontaneous fires and engine failure. Remedies offered under the settlement include a 15-year or 150,000-mile extended warranty which covers all costs associated with inspections and repairs, replacement parts, labor and mechanical or cosmetic damage caused by the defect. Class members may also qualify for goodwill payments of up to $150. Defendants will provide a comparable class of loaner vehicle during any repairs under the Extended Warranty, or, if a loaner is not available, up to $80 per day of reimbursement for reasonable transportation expenses.
The order also certifies a class consisting of “[a]ll owners and lessees of a Class Vehicle who purchased or leased a Class Vehicle in the United States, including those that were purchased while the owner was abroad on active U.S. military duty, but excluding those purchased in U.S. territories and/or abroad.” Additionally, Judge Staton’s order appoints Hagens Berman’s Steve Berman as co-lead counsel for the nationwide class.
In May 2021, Hagens Berman achieved a settlement offering relief valued at up to $1.3 billion for the owners of Hyundai and Kia vehicles equipped with Theta II GDI engines, and this newest settlement brings relief to owners of vehicles with Gamma GDI and Nu GDI engines as well as Theta II MPI engines.
Notice of the settlement will be sent to class members via mail and email within 120 days, and a final fairness hearing is scheduled for Sept. 8, 2023.
Hyundai and Kia have recalled additional vehicles affected by this defect potentially leading to vehicle fires. Hagens Berman is in turn expanding its litigation. New affected vehicles include:
- 2012 Santa Fe (2.4L Theta II MPI engines)
- 2011–2013 Sonata Hybrid (2.4L Theta II MPI HEV engines)
- 2016 Sonata Hybrid (2.0L Nu GDI HEV engines)
- 2015–2016 Veloster (1.6L Gamma GDI engines)
- 2012–2019 Kia Soul (1.6L Gamma and 2.0L Nu GDI engines)
- 2012–2013 Kia Forte and Forte Koup (2.4L Theta II MPI engines)
- 2014–2015 Kia Forte and Forte Koup (2.0L Nu GDI engines)
- 2011–2013 Kia Optima Hybrid (2.4L Theta II MPI engines)
- 2012–2019 Kia Rio (1.6L Gamma GDI engines)
- 2012–2013 Kia Sorento (2.4L Theta II MPI engines)
- 2012 Kia Sportage (2.4L Theta II MPI engines)
