Hyundai and Kia Settle Lawsuit Involving Engine Defects in 4 Million Vehicles

Hyundai and Kia Settle Lawsuit Involving Engine Defects in 4 Million Vehicles

Last Updated on March 21, 2024

Hyundai and Kia have agreed to settle a class action lawsuit that alleges the 2.0L and 2.4L Theta II engines with Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) suffer from an engine defect that can cause sudden stalling, engine failure and even engine fire. The settlement includes approximately 4 million Hyundai and Kia vehicles equipped with the Theta II GDI engines. Below are additional details regarding the terms of the settlement and how to qualify for benefits:

What vehicles are included in the settlement?

  • Hyundai Sonata – 2011-2018 and certain 2019 vehicles;
  • Hyundai Santa Fe Sport – 2013-2018 and certain 2019 vehicles;
  • Hyundai Tucson – 2014-2015, 2018, and certain 2019 vehicles;
  • Kia Optima – 2011-2018 and certain 2019  vehicles;
  • Kia Sorento – 2011-2018 and certain 2019 vehicles; and
  • Kia Sportage – 2011-2018 and certain 2019 vehicles.

The settlement includes only those vehicles listed above that were originally equipped with or replaced with a genuine Theta II 2.0 liter or 2.4 liter gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine within OEM specifications.  The settlement does not include hybrid vehicles or those with engines that are not GDI, such as multi-point injection (MPI) engines, or Nu engines.

For covered Hyundai and Kia vehicles, the settlement provides a package of potential benefits for consumers that is described in the Hyundai Settlement Notice. The benefits for consumers with covered Kia vehicles are described in the Kia Settlement Notice.

What is the lawsuit about?

The Plaintiffs allege that the Class Vehicles suffer from a defect in the rotating assembly of the engines that can cause seizure, stalling, engine failure, and engine fire. The Plaintiffs also allege that engine seizure or stalling can be dangerous if experienced.

How do I submit a claim to Hyundai for reimbursement?

If you experienced out of pockets costs related to the defect such as engine replacement or other repairs then you may be able to submit a claim for reimbursement and supporting documentation online to: [email protected] or mail to: PO Box 10759, Newport Beach, CA 92658. The deadline to submit a claim is April 12, 2021. Please refer to the Hyundai Settlement Notice (and Hyundai Claim Form) for further details.

How do I submit a claim to KIA for reimbursement?

If you experienced out of pockets costs related to the defect such as engine replacement or other repairs then you may be able to submit a claim for reimbursement and supporting documentation online to: [email protected] or mail to: Kia Claims Administrator, c/o Epiq, P.O. Box 3145, Portland, OR 97208-3145. The deadline to submit a claim is April 12, 2021. Please refer to the Kia Settlement Notice (and Kia Claim Form) for further details.

What reimbursement is available under the settlement?

The settlement relief offered is robust. You may be entitled to some or all of the relief including past out-of-pocket repairs and repair related expenses, including rental cars and towing, and cash reimbursements for certain trade-ins and sales of unrepaired vehicles, engine fires, a loss of faith in the vehicle and compensation for inconvenience. Please refer to the Hyundai Settlement Notice (and Hyundai Claim Form) and Kia Settlement Notice (and Kia Claim Form) for further details.

When will I receive my reimbursement?

The final approval hearing was on November 13, 2020 before Judge Staton of the Central District of California. The Judge has not yet rendered a decision regarding the final approval of the settlement. Reimbursements will begin being sent out approximately 30 days after the Judge’s decision and after any appeals have been exhausted.

What if I have not experienced engine failure or incurred any repair expenses?

Then you do not need to submit a claim form. You may still be entitled to the Lifetime Warranty if you have the Knock Sensor Detection System update completed. Please refer to the Hyundai Settlement Notice (and Hyundai Claim Form) and Kia Settlement Notice (and Kia Claim Form) for further details.

What if I do nothing?

Then you are automatically included in the settlement and receive the Lifetime Warranty upon installation of the Knock Sensor Detection System. Please refer to the Hyundai Settlement Notice (and Hyundai Claim Form) and Kia Settlement Notice (and Kia Claim Form) for further details.

How do I get the Knock Sensor Detection System installed?

Contact your local Hyundai or Kia dealership (depending on the make of your vehicle) and arrange to have the Knock System Detection System installed at no charge to you. If you do this then you will also receive the Lifetime Warranty.

How do I get the Lifetime Warranty and is it transferable?

You do NOT need to submit a claim form to receive the Lifetime Warranty. Contact your local Hyundai or Kia dealership (depending on the make of your vehicle) and arrange to have the Knock System Detection System installed at no charge to you. If you do this then you will also receive the Lifetime Warranty. Yes, the Lifetime Warranty will run with the vehicle and will transfer with vehicle ownership.

What if I have other problems with my Hyundai/Kia that are not part of this lawsuit?

Those claims are not part of the settlement and are therefore not being released so you may still be able to individually lodge a claim against Hyundai/Kia for those issues.

If you still have questions about the settlement, please contact the Hyundai Settlement Administrator at: [email protected] or by phone at: 866-944-7620 (available Mon – Fri 7:00AM – 5:00PM (PST)). The Kia Settlement Administrator may be reached at: [email protected] or by phone at: 855-951-0807 (available Mon – Fri 6:00AM – 6:00PM (PST)).

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4 thoughts on “Hyundai and Kia Settle Lawsuit Involving Engine Defects in 4 Million Vehicles

  1. Avatar
    Reply
    Jeff S Baryl
    August 27, 2023 at 11:17 pm

    These 2.0 T engines are shit! I have the 2014 Sante Fe Sport and the crap engine was burning oil and of course they claimed that they corrected it. It only had early 60,000x on it and of course it now has 89,000 and still burning and I’m putting a quart in every 3-4 weeks or 700-800 miles. I’ll never buy one of their cars including Kia again because of their bullshit.

  2. Avatar
    Reply
    Larry H
    August 2, 2022 at 3:02 pm

    i have a 2017 KiA Sorento 2.4 with valve failure causing no. 3 cylinder damage to go dead (no compression) with only 95000 miles. Dealer said KIA would not make right. wondering if other people have experienced this?

    1. Avatar
      Reply
      Darrel Kim
      December 14, 2022 at 8:15 pm

      Yes I had on my 2016 Sorento. #4 cylinder. Kia customer relations and Kia dealer won’t help at all.

    2. Avatar
      Reply
      arthur stetson
      January 30, 2023 at 7:21 pm

      same thing happen to my son he had to buy a new motor and the new moto have 300 hundred on it not and it 3/4 quart low kis said there nothing worrg with that

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