Category: Hyundai/Kia

Hyundai knowingly sold vehicles containing a defect that can cause a vital seat belt part to explode, a new class action lawsuit alleges.

Hyundai had issued a safety recall in May for around 239k vehicles over faulty seat belts which are designed to retract and tighten a seat belt the moment a crash happens, could explode and scatter metal fragments throughout the vehicle.

According to the lawsuit, the cause of the seat belt pretensioner problem remains unknown. The class action lawsuit alleges Hyundai has known of the seat belt pretensioner defect since at least September 2021, when it was informed by NHTSA of a crash involving a 2021 Elantra. 

During the incident, the suit says, the driver-side seat belt pretensioner “deployed abnormally,” propelling metal fragments throughout the cabin and injuring a passenger’s leg.

“Defendants knew or should have known of the Seat Belt Defect much earlier due to pre-production testing, failure mode analysis, and reports to authorized dealers, repair centers, and complaints to the NHTSA,” the complaint charges. “Despite having knowledge of the exploding seat belt pretensioners, Hyundai concealed this information, delayed issuing a recall, and still to this day has not sent notification letters to owners of the defective vehicles.”

The Class Action Alleges “An inherent safety risk”

Hyundai promoted its vehicles as offering “untouched and elite” safety but the cars ultimately “have not lived up to their promise of being the best in safety.”

“Rather than ‘add[ing] ten years to [their] life,” the complaint says, “Plaintiffs and the Class are at an increased risk for crashes, severe injury, and death.” 

As per class action, the pretensioner is part of a vehicle’s seat belt system and is responsible for locking the belt during a collision to keep the occupant in position.

The lawsuit alleges, seat belt pretensioner explodes abnormally during a crash and sends metal fragments throughout the vehicle compartment.

Affected Hyundai vehicles in the lawsuit

The Hyundai vehicle models allegedly equipped with defective seat belt pretensioners include:

• 2019-2022 Hyundai Accent;

• 2021-2023 Hyundai Elantra; and

• 2021-2022 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid.

Owners of affected vehicles can go to a dealership, where the seat belt pretensioners will be fitted with a cap at no cost. Vehicles that are no longer covered under a Hyundai warranty are eligible for repair. The automaker also will reimburse owners for out-of-pocket expenses they incur to get the defect fixed. Hyundai is expected to notify owners by July 15, NHTSA said. 

Have Questions? Talk With Us Now

If you are an automobile owner and have manufacturing issues, you can contact us regarding your involvement in this or any potential class-action lawsuit. Serious vehicle problems require serious legal representation, especially when you are bringing a claim against a major automaker. 

At the Lemon Firm, our experienced Attorneys have been able to successfully recover compensation for our clients who were sold a vehicle with manufacturer defects, and we can do the same for you. Call (833) Lemon-Firm to speak with a Lemon law expert today.

A Hyundai oil consumption lawsuit blames the automaker for not making buyers aware of excessive engine oil consumption issues in more than 20 of its models.

Owners say Hyundai should have recalled the vehicles because the engines allegedly use excessive amounts of oil, stall, and eventually fail because vehicles are equipped with defective Nu, Gamma, Theta, Lambda, and Kappa engines.

On Apr. 12, 8 owners filed a class action lawsuit against Hyundai in a California federal court for violating federal warranty laws.

Hyundai and Kia Models With Excessive Oil Consumption Issues

According to the Hyundai and Kia class action lawsuit, the below Hyundai and Kia models have excessive oil consumption problems.

• 2012-2020 Hyundai Elantra
• 2009-2018 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
• 2019-2021 Hyundai Kona
• 2020-2021 Hyundai Palisade
• 2010-2012 and 2015-2021 Hyundai Santa Fe
• 2009-2010 and 2015-2021 Hyundai Sonata
• 2011–2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
• 2010-2013 and 2015-2021 Hyundai Tucson
• 2011-2021 Hyundai Veloster
• 2020-2021 Hyundai Venue
• 2010-2021 Kia Forte
• 2017-2020 Kia Niro
• 2011-2020 Kia Optima and Optima Hybrid
• 2012-2021 Kia Rio
• 2011-2020 Kia Sorento
• 2012-2021 Kia Soul
• 2011-2020 Kia Sportage
• 2018-2021 Kia Stinger
• 2022 Kia K5

The Hyundai and Kia oil consumption lawsuit alleges owners constantly use excessive amounts of oil, costing their owners huge sums of money. The plaintiffs also say adding too much oil isn’t the solution because by adding oil above the maximum fill line the crankshaft will be partially or fully submerged and too much oil will strain and damage the gaskets and seals protecting the engine which leads to oil leaks.

According to the suit, other than oil consumption, defective engines migrate oils to places it shouldn’t be, and it causes damage to the combustion and exhaust systems and keeps them from operating properly.

The lawsuit alleges owners must constantly check the oil levels more than normal, and oil must allegedly be added to the engines more frequently than even the owner’s manuals recommend.

This allegedly causes “abnormal wear of engine parts, oversaturation of carbon and deposits of oil sludge, ultimately requiring a costly engine rebuild or replacement.”

Hyundai Should Honor Warranty Claims Outside of Terms

According to the Hyundai class action suit, Hyundai should honor warranty claims even when the warranties have expired.

The plaintiffs allege that Hyundai should have recalled the vehicles but hasn’t. According to the lawsuit, Hyundai, and Kia can’t adequately repair the oil consumption problems but the automakers deny coverage if owners cannot provide maintenance records.

The Hyundai oil consumption lawsuit was filed by these plaintiffs:

• Davy Cho / California / 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe
• Bryan Rothmaler / Illinois / 2017 Hyundai Tucson Sport
• Beth Makie / Massachusetts / 2016 Kia Sorento
• Anna Chmura / Wisconsin / 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
• Anthony Banderas / Nevada / 2020 Hyundai Kona
• Michelle Smith / Florida / 2016 Hyundai Sonata
• Catherine Little / Texas / 2017 Hyundai Sonata
• Luticia and Thomas Thompson / Kentucky / 2016 Kia Sorento

The automakers allegedly don’t warn customers about excessive oil consumption issues even when the symptoms match, then owners must put their vehicles through oil consumption tests. And those tests require driving thousands of miles to determine if excessive amounts of oil is consumed and costing money out of the owner’s pocket.

And the suit also says owners must suffer through long wait times for replacement parts,  “and in most cases do not receive required engine replacements.”

Meanwhile, Hyundai has expanded its recall for exploding seat belt part issue which has caused multiple injuries including 6,240 of its 2021-2022 Elantra and 2020 Accent vehicles.

Have Questions? Talk With Us Now

If you are an automobile owner and have manufacturing issues, you can contact us regarding your involvement in this or any potential class-action lawsuit. Serious vehicle problems require serious legal representation, especially when you are bringing a claim against a major automaker. 

At the Lemon Firm, our experienced Attorneys have been able to successfully recover compensation for our clients who were sold a vehicle with manufacturer defects, and we can do the same for you. Call (833) Lemon-Firm to speak with a Lemon law expert today.

There may be the potential for a class action lawsuit against Hyundai and Kia due to a suspected defect that can cause the vehicles to spontaneously catch fire even when not running. Almost 500,000 cars and SUVs are being recalled to fix for the issue.

Attorneys working on the case believe that legal action may be necessary to provide drivers with the compensation they deserve.

What Hyundai and Kia Models Are Catching Fire?
The February 2022 recall over a potential fire risk affects the following models:

2014-2016 Kia Sportage SUVs
2016-2018 K900 sedans
2016-2018 Santa Fe SUVs
2017-2018 Santa Fe Sports
2019 Santa Fe XLs
2014-2015 Tucson SUVs

Due to “foreign contaminants,” the anti-lock brake computer control module can short circuit and possibly start a fire in the engine compartment. Hyundai is recalling around 357,830 vehicles while Kia is recalling 126,747 vehicles. Automakers will inspect and replace defective parts with new ones. Dealers will also replace a fuse that controls the electric current to the anti-lock braking control unit free of cost. The new fuse will control the amount of power going into the module.

In documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Kia confirmed about three vehicles that have caught fire and asked owners to park vehicles away from any buildings or structures.

Beyond the Recall: How a Class Action Lawsuit Could Help Drivers
Hyundai and Kia both agreed to provide free fuse replacement to fix the issue but this may not be enough for those forced to deal with the inconvenience of waiting for a fix and owning a car that’s a potential fire risk. This is where a class action lawsuit could come in.

The automaker may offer reimbursement for repairs, lifetime warranties, inconvenience payments, payments for loss of value, money for loss of vehicle by fire, and free diagnostic inspections but every case is different. It’s possible that those affected by the most recent recall could be owed money for additional damages, such as rental car costs and loss of vehicle value.

How Do I Check To See If My Hyundai or Kia Has a Recall?
To check if your Hyundai or Kia vehicle is affected by this or any other recall, visit the website of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and enter your vehicle’s VIN number. This number can be found on your registration, insurance card, or on the lower left of your car’s windshield.

Why Are Hyundai and Kia Vehicles Catching Fire?
As previously stated, the problem stems from the vehicles’ anti-lock brake system (ABS), which could malfunction and cause an electrical short. As of February 8, 2022, at least 11 fires have been reported in connection with the ABS issue.

Automakers urged drivers to park vehicles “outside and away from structures” and instructed them to look out for smoke from the engine, a burning smell, or an ABS warning light.

Final Thoughts
If you are an automobile owner and have manufacturing issues, you can contact us regarding your involvement in this or any potential class-action lawsuit. Serious vehicle problems require serious legal representation, especially when you are bringing a claim against a major automaker.

At the Lemon Firm, our experienced Attorneys have been able to successfully recover compensation for our clients who were sold a vehicle with manufacturer defects, and we can do the same for you. Call (833) Lemon-Firm to speak with a Lemon law expert today.

The Hyundai Kona Electric was a promising electronic vehicle with high demand but it might not be the case anymore. The battery problems in Hyundai Kona EV and Hyundai Ioniq EV models have caused a class-action lawsuit that alleges the automaker falsely advertised the range and safety of the electric vehicles.

15 Cases of fire have been reported so far, including 2 in Canada. After this, Hyundai has recalled over 76,000 units globally, 4,375 of which are in Canada. The plaintiff alleges the lithium-ion batteries and management systems are defective which causes the batteries to catch fire.

In 2019, California plaintiff Sebastien Friche purchased a new 2019 Hyundai Kona EV and when he learned about a battery recall, his wife took the vehicle to a Hyundai dealership. After repair, the dealer reduced the battery range by 20% to decrease the risk of a battery fire. June 2021, Hyundai issued a remote software download to decrease the battery range to 205 miles, another 10% drop in range capacity.

On July 20, 2021, the plaintiff’s wife took the Kona EV to the dealer to fix a tire, but the dealer asked her to impound the vehicle for a battery issue. The service advisor allegedly said the vehicle could possibly be held six months or longer because of the fire risk.

“The service representative made various representations to Plaintiff’s wife while seizing the vehicle, including asserting that ‘if anything happens, your insurance will not cover anything.’ Hyundai also refused to provide her with a loaner automobile, though it finally helped her procure a rental.” — Hyundai battery class action lawsuit

“Since Hyundai seized the Vehicle, Plaintiff has continued to contact Hyundai to determine when it will be released. Hyundai has not told Plaintiff when it plans to replace the battery, how it plans to replace the battery, or when it will ever release the Vehicle. Hyundai has told Plaintiff that even after it replaces the battery, the battery will be covered by a different warranty with a term that lasts only ten years.” — Hyundai battery lawsuit

The plaintiff claims Hyundai now refuses to talk to him.

The Korean automaker finally agreed to replace the high-voltage battery on all affected units 2018-2020 model years, and this decision will cost over $1 billion. But according to Reuters and several media outlets, Many owners are complaining that there are delays and a lack of transparency in the process. 

The automaker has also stopped production of the Kona Electric for the local market of South Korea permanently. The Kona Electric continues to ship overseas but some minor interior and exterior revisions which are planned for 2022.

The Hyundai battery problem class-action lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California: Sebastien Friche, v. Hyundai Motor Co., et al.

If you or a loved one, a friend or co-worker drive a Hyundai Ioniq or Kona and are experiencing any of these issues, please call (833) LEMON-FIRM for a free consultation or fill out this link http://thelemonfirm.com/contact/ and a case analyst will contact you within 24 hours.

By: Sepehr Daghighian, Esq.

Kia Motors Corporation is a 75-year-old Korean multinational automobile manufacturer headquartered in Seoul. The Kia Sorento is a popular midsize SUV sold by Kia.  In spite of its popularity, the Sorento has recently fallen prey to several complaints of severe engine issues. Meanwhile, the Kia Optima is a sedan that features new technology and impressive amenities. However, in spite of possessing a reliable reputation in the market, the Optima has faced numerous complaints regarding engine failure issues. 

If you have faced any engine issues with your Kia Optima or Sorento, CCA is here to help! We invite you to call our experts today for a free consultation: (833) LEMON-FIRM.

What Are Some Common Engine Issues in Kia Optima and Sorento? 

The majority of the owners’ complaints for Kia Optima and Sorento vehicles are engine defects that buzzing sounds, engine failure, knocking sounds and more.

In both Optima and Sorento, Engine defects are persistent problems that don’t have easy solutions. Causes of Engine failure are vast; typically, they are categorized into four groups: Overheating, Miss-assembly, Lubrication, and Detonation issues. Unfortunately, many Optima and Sorento owners find that Kia’s dealerships are unable to timely fix their vehicles and their engines prematurely fail. 

Kia owners commonly complain of vehicle stalls and strange noises, before their engines completely fall apart.  For instance, one owner of a 2017 Kia Sorento described the issue as follows: “I leased a 2017 KIA Sorento EX V6 AWD on Feb. 23, 2017. Within two weeks, and less than 500 miles, there was a buzzing sound on start up that lasted for 5 minutes or so. The dealer I took it to took two days to diagnose the problem. The oil pump failed and the engine was full of metal pieces. The fix, replace the engine. This is the fourth KIA I have owned and it may be the last. I have contacted KIA customer support and they were not much help.”

Besides the issues discusses above, the Kia Optima has faced some serious engine reliability issues. Several of the complaints against the Optima mention excessive oil consumption, strange smoke from the tailpipe, and sudden stops. A user of the Optima 2016 model stated, “I was driving my car 2016 Kia Optima from Alpharetta to Decatur to attend church. I pulled into the parking lot of the church and parked. A few seconds after I parked, I began seeing lots of smoke coming from the right passenger side of the car. The police men who were in the parking lot directing traffic asked me to get out of the car quickly and began attempting to quench the fire with a fire extinguisher.” Another complaint against the same 2016 model was placed by another user, “My daughters 2016 Kia Optima is shutting off while driving. Sometimes it restarts after shutting down. Sometimes she has to hurry and put in neutral and restart as cars behind me don’t know the car has shut off. She feels very unsafe and is afraid someone is going to run into her. Took it to Kia dealer and they ran codes but nothing came up”. These issues can be extremely dangerous if not looked into at the right time.  

What Can I Do if My Kia Optima or Sorento is Subject Engine Failure?

Have you been noticing any severe or unrepaired engine issues with either your Kia Optima or Sorento, such as sudden stalls, excessive smoke, loud noises, or other problems? CCA’s team of experienced lawyers are here to guide you and help resolve your lemon law issues expeditiously and for a substantial settlement. Please feel free to reach out to us for a free hassle-free consultation regarding your vehicle. 

Contact our experts for a free consultation at (833) LEMON-FIRM.

Hyundai Motors is a South Korean multinational automotive corporation, headquartered in Seoul, it was found in 1967 and now sells cars in 93 countries across the world. Hyundai Genesis is a full-sized, 5-seater luxury sedan that Hyundai boasts is comparable to some of Europe’s great automakers. Nonetheless, Genesis and Hyundai have been called out for a plethora of serious issues and defects with their vehicle. Some of these defects include engine stalls/shutoff, dead battery, excessive oil consumption, weak speed control, and much more. Despite several recalls and NHTSA investigations in the past, the issues seem to be persistent.

CCA is here to help if your Hyundai Genesis has suffered dangerous or unrepaired defects. We invite you to call our experts today for a free consultation: (833) LEMON-FIRM.

What are some of the Dangerous Defects in the Hyundai Genesis?

Over the past few years, Hyundai Genesis owners have reported a variety of issues, with most of them falling under the categories of Electrical, Powertrain, Engine, and Interior.

Electrical Defects: The majority of the complaints under the electrical category are regarding the dead batteries and electrical failure. Apparently, dead batteries issues usually occur due to an issue with the alternator; a defective alternator fails to keep the battery charged. Signs of a dead battery typically include warning lights, slow engine cranks, odd battery smell, and swollen battery. A 2015 Hyundai Genesis user described the issue as, “I have had the car 28 months. Dealer service agent says these batteries are only good for about two years. When I asked if they tried to charge the old battery, she said it couldn’t be done as it was dead. This is the first time that I have ever had a battery go dead after owning 20+ cars in my life including a previous Genesis. It looks like a good reason NOT to buy a Genesis in the future.”

Multiple electric failure is another dangerous and recurrent issue amongst the Genesis models. Different users have had mixed experiences with electrical issues. The owner of a Genesis Luxury 3.8L explained the defect: “The car was great for about 2 weeks then all of a sudden the tpms alarm goes off, then the wipers start coming on and off. All my blind spot alarms turn on and off, also all the gauges even the gas gauge dies reads nothing. All this while driving down the road also the steering seems to get very tough like the power steering isn’t working.”

Engine Defects: Amongst all the problems reported against the Hyundai Genesis, engine defects seem to be the most prevalent and hazardous. The most common and recurrent issue is sudden engine shutoffs and stalls. A stall can be extremely dangerous in some situations; it also increases the risk of fatal accidents and injuries. One owners stated, “On December 23, my 2015 Hyundai Genesis with no warning died for a second time while I was stopped for a traffic light. As in my previous experience with this problem, there was no advance warning. At this time, I was in heavy traffic on a five-lane State Road with cars in each lane. I put on my warning lights, called 911, and prayed. The police and fire engine arrived about 10 minutes later, closed all five lanes of the road, and while I steered with their help, they pushed the car off the road to a safe area. I believe there is a serious safety issue.” 

What Can I Do if My Hyundai Genesis has been Indicating symptoms of any dangerous defects?

If your Hyundai Genesis model has been subject to any defects, such as the ones described above or others, CAA’s experts are here to help you find a viable solution. Our lawyers are experienced and well versed with issues plaguing the Hyundai Genesis. Best of all, all of your attorney’s fees will be paid by Hyundai and we will never send you a bill.  Feel free to reach out to us for a hassle-free consultation regarding your vehicle.

Contact our experts today for a free consultation at (833) LEMON-FIRM.

Kia Motors Corporation is a 75-year-old Korean multinational automobile manufacturer headquartered in Seoul. The Kia lineup offers a wide range of vehicles, including luxury, sports, hybrids, SUVs, electric cars, and minivans. While the quality of Kia products have reportedly improved over the years, the Kia Sedona has recently suffered a series of defects and recalls arising from the vehicle’s fuel rail system.

Kia Sedona is a popular, family-sized vehicle that seats up to 8 passengers and features flexible storage, tech features, and a stylish design. Despite its stature in the market, Kia has faced numerous concerns regarding a leak in its fuel system. The problem is due to excess heat being generated in the engine compartment that causes a crack in the fuel rack, leads to a fuel leak and potential fire. 

If your Kia Sedona has suffered any fuel leak or fuel rail issues, CCA is here to help. We invite you to call our experts today for a free consultation: (833) LEMON-FIRM.

What are some common fuel rail issues reported by Sedona users?

In the past few years, Kia has recalled numerous Sedona models due to several complaints received against its fuel system. The core of the problems reported is mainly due to the faulty fuel rails. Generally, a vehicle’s fuel rail is a long, round metal bar that runs along the top of the injectors and supplies fuel to the engine’s intake manifold.  The recalls are essential because if the issue is unattended and aggravated, it could lead to fuel leaks and fires. According to Kia, there haven’t been any fatal accidents or fires in the past, and the recalls was purely a precautionary measure.

Nonetheless, one of most common issues reported by Sedona users were unexpected stalls and starting troubles. Customers explain that this problem is usually accompanied with a persisting gas smell, “Gas smell in car while in motion. Experiencing a sort of hesitation, like wanting to stall. Brought to dealer. Dealer identified issue- crack in fuel rail, leaking on engine. Item was not covered under warranty and quoted at just under $1K to repair.”

Almost all the complaints against Kia Sedona have included fuel leak or persisting fuel smell issues. A user described the issue, “We discovered a fuel leakage after getting gas, but did not discover this leak until after driving home from the gas station. There was a strong smell of gasoline and we noticed that the fuel gauge went down rather quickly. After getting home from the gas station, we noticed the smell of gas was still very strong and that was when we noticed the leak, on our driveway. In the time that we were driving, we had been leaking gasoline the whole time, and could have lost our lives on our way home. We took our Kia to be inspected and repaired and they discovered that the fuel rail was damaged: It had a crack along one side.”

What Actions Have Been Taken to Address the Fuel Rail Issues in Kia Sedona?

The Center for Auto Safety is closely monitoring the issue and recalls. According to Jason Levine, the center’s executive director, approximately 200,000 Sedona models have been recalled since their original petition against the problem.

As per the NHTSA website, users have reported fuel smells, fuel leaks, and cracked fuel rails. The automaker has notified NHTSA of all recalls and is continuing to contact affected owners.

Kia released a statement to reassure its customers, “Kia will reimburse owners for repair expenses already incurred pursuant to Kia’s General Reimbursement plan filed April 10, 2018.”

What Can I Do if My Kia Sedona is Subject to Fuel Rail Issues?

If you have been facing any of the issues discussed above or have been trying to contact the automaker regarding the recall without any luck, CAA is here to help. We are equipped with a set of experienced lawyers that are well aware of the issues plaguing the Kia Sedona and the latest updates. Feel free to reach out to us for a free and hassle-free consultation regarding your vehicle. 

Do not hesitate to contact our experts for a free consultation at (833) LEMON-FIRM.