According to a recent class action settlement, millions of customers who drive Hyundai or Kia vehicles may qualify for a free replacement engine.
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Why did Hyundai recall some cars because of an engine problem?
Hyundai has recalled more than one million vehicles in close collaboration with NHTSA to resolve a manufacturing problem that might result in engine failure and, under some conditions, an engine fire.
There have been occurrences of stalling, which means the engine may stop operating while the car is being driven, even though the majority of events involving impacted vehicles have only had engine knocking.
Importantly, drivers can continue to manage their vehicles in this scenario since the airbags, steering, and brakes all continue to function.
Drivers are typically warned by warning lights and sounds as soon as an engine fails, and even if the engine may hesitate at first, they should have enough time to take the car off the road safely.
more significant recalls involving Kia and Hyundai automobiles
An ECU reflash recall involving knock sensors in Kia and Hyundai automobiles was issued in 2019. Ten recalls have been conducted to address problems that led to non-crash fires and stalling in the past six years, and other Kia and Hyundai models have been the focus of inquiries, lawsuits, and investigations.
Hyundai recalled the 2013–2014 Santa Fe Sport and the 2011–2014 Sonata in 2015 and 2017 to address engine component flaws. Also recalled for the same reasons were the 2012–2014 Sorento, 2011–2014 Kia Optima, and 2011–2013 Sportage. To fix engine issues, over a million Kia and Hyundai cars have been recalled. The 2.4 liter and 2.0 liter turbocharged engines are among these. The risk was higher for older vehicles, and the 2.0-liter engines reported the highest frequency of non-crash fires.
Due to a failing anti-lock braking system that could result in an electrical shock and ultimately an engine compartment fire in 2019, Hyundai recalled select 2017-2018 Santa Fe Sports, 2016-2018 Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Tucson, and 2019 Santa Fe XL vehicles. The 2014–2016 and 2016–2018 K900 Sportage models were recalled by Kia Motors America the same year owing to problems with the hydraulic electronic control unit that could result in an engine fire from an electrical short.
US regulators intensify their investigation into Hyundai-Kia engine fires and breakdowns
In 2012, a Hyundai Sonata is seen parked in a Hyundai showroom in Des Plaines, Illinois. Investigations into the engine fires that have afflicted Hyundai and Kia vehicles for more than six years have been intensified by U.S. auto safety regulators.
DEARBORN — Investigations into the engine fires that have afflicted Hyundai and Kia vehicles for more than six years have been intensified by U.S. auto safety regulators.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 3 million automobiles from the model years 2011 through 2016 are included in a recent engineering study examination. 161 complaints of engine fires have been sent to the agency, some of which involved recalled automobiles.
Since the business issued an engine failure recall in September 2015, engine failures and flames have plagued Korean automakers’ vehicles. According to NHTSA records published on its website Monday, it has now issued at least eight additional recalls for a variety of engine issues.
The organization claims that it is starting the engineering analysis to determine whether earlier recalls covered enough automobiles. The effectiveness of earlier recalls will also be evaluated, as well as the long-term viability of linked programs and non-safety field operations being carried out by Hyundai and Kia.
Hyundai claimed in a prepared statement that it has “taken many proactive efforts to address engine issues, including executing several recalls, introducing a new engine monitoring system, providing extended warranties, and improving our customer service response.” Hyundai promotes a culture of openness and responsibility because customer safety comes first in all we do.
The Theta II GDI, Theta II MPI, Theta II MPI hybrid, Nu GDI, and Gamma GDI engines from the connected Korean automakers are involved in the vehicle fires. Hyundai’s Sonata, Santa Fe, and Elantra as well as Kia’s Sorento, Rio, Optima, and Soul are among the models covered. Covered model years range from 2011 until 2016.
According to the organization, three people have reported burns and eye injuries that didn’t need medical attention.
Because Kia and Hyundai took too long to recall more than 1 million vehicles with potentially dangerous engines, the NHTSA announced in November 2020 that they would be forced to pay $137 million in fines and make other safety measures. The sanctions end an investigation into the corporations’ actions regarding multiple model recalls going back to the 2011 model year.
For safety performance measures, Kia was required to pay $27 million and put $16 million into them. As long as Kia complies with safety requirements, a further $27 million payment will be postponed, according to NHTSA.
Despite denying the U.S. accusations, Kia claimed it wished to avoid a drawn-out legal battle.
A large number of recalls included production flaws that prevented oil from passing past the engine block. Many of them need pricey engine replacements.
Additionally, 3.7 million vehicles from Hyundai and Kia were the target of a U.S. “product enhancement program” to install software warning drivers of potential engine issues.
by the team and AP •• The American government’s highway safety department rewarded a whistleblower more than $24 million for information claiming that Hyundai and Kia took too long to recall more than 1 million cars with engine issues.
The award given to former Hyundai Motor engineer Kim Gwang-ho, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, is the first one given to a whistleblower. Additionally, it is the highest amount permitted by a new government program that allows workers who disclose fraud to get up to 30% of the fines paid by the manufacturers.
Hyundai and Kia agreed to pay $137 million in fines and make safety upgrades in November 2020 to fix the engine issues.
In 2016, Kim complained to the NHTSA that Hyundai had neglected to fix a design problem with its Theta II engines, which were prone to freezing up and potentially catching fire. The agency discovered that the recall of the vehicles had been delayed by Hyundai and its Kia affiliate, and that the Korean automaker had given false information regarding the issues.
According to NHTSA’s deputy administrator Steven Cliff, “whistleblowers play a key role in providing information to NHTSA about major safety hazards that are kept from the agency.” “We are committed to compensating those who submit information to us,” the statement reads. “This information is important to public safety.”
After Hyundai recalled roughly 470,000 vehicles in September 2015 due to the possibility that manufacturing debris could obstruct oil flow to connecting rod bearings, the U.S. safety agency began an investigation into the matter in 2017. That might lead to the bearings wearing down and failing, which might result in the four-cylinder engines stalling or igniting. An costly engine block replacement was required for the fix.
According to NHTSA inquiry records, Hyundai only recalled engines manufactured before to April 2012, after which it claimed to have fixed the manufacturing issue. Additionally, Kia decided not to recall its cars and SUVs equipped with the same 2.4-liter and 2-liter “Theta II” engines since it claimed those vehicles were produced at an Alabama plant using a different assembly line.
When did Hyundai address its engine issues?
According to papers from the NHTSA’s inquiry, Hyundai only recalled engines built before April 2012, claiming that it had fixed the production issue since then.
Are Hyundai’s engine issues still present?
A recall notice dated April 28, 2021 states that some Hyundai automobiles’ most current models had severely flawed engines. Piston oil rings that hadn’t been properly heat-treated were the root of the issue. Engines harmed by the faulty components are more likely to stall, which ups the likelihood of a collision. Additionally, oil leakage from the damaged parts onto hot exhaust components raises the possibility of a spontaneous fire.
The following vehicles are included in the 2021 recall:
- Elantra for 2019-2020
- 2019-2021 Kona
- Veloster 2019–2021
The recall, which carries the stated risk of engine failure brought on by the inadequately heat-treated piston oil rings, affects any of the aforementioned vehicles fitted with the covered 2.0L “Nu” MPI engines. On August 24, 2021, notices should have been mailed to the owners of the impacted automobiles.
Similar issues were discovered in specific model Kia vehicles between October 2020 and April 2021, which led to the recall. At least five fires that had been previously investigated and left with an unidentified root cause were linked to the newly discovered issue by Kia and federal safety regulators. Hyundai said that it was unaware of any proven injuries or collisions brought on by the defective engine, despite the fact that these five fires were linked to the same engine problem.
Hyundai, NHTSA, or dealers should be contacted regarding affected vehicle owners’ vehicles. Dealers will examine the engine and, if necessary, replace it without charging you anything. In the future, Hyundai will additionally update the Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software in the impacted vehicles.
The most recent recall comes after a recall in 2020 for specific Kona vehicles from that year. The incorrect certification labels that misrepresented the Gross Axle Weight Rating were the subject of the 2020 recall. Failure to include the correct GAWR raises the possibility of an overloaded vehicle, which raises the possibility of an accident. Owners were urged to get updated label stickers that displayed a correct GAWR.
Which Hyundai vehicles have engine issues?
Certain Santa Fe SUVs from 2016 to 2018, Santa Fe Sports from 2017 to 2018, the 2019 Santa Fe XL, and Tucson SUVs from 2014 and 2015 are among the Hyundai models that have been recalled. The car companies record 11 instances of fires in the United States, but no injuries.
Did Hyundai renew the warranty on the engine?
Extension of U.S. Warranty The warranty period will be extended to June 30, 2020 for Hyundai customers in the U.S. whose 5-year/60,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty or 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty expires between March and June 2020.
How is Hyundai handling the recall of engines?
Model Year 2013 and 2014 Hyundai Sonata vehicles with 2.0 liter and 2.4 liter gasoline direct injection (GDI) engines produced at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama will have their engines inspected and, if necessary, replaced as part of a safety recall by Hyundai in the United States.
Will Hyundai foot the bill for an upgrade?
You may be covered by this class-action lifetime guarantee and qualified for a free engine replacement if you own a car with a Hyundai Theta II 2.0-liter turbo or 2.4-liter naturally aspirated engine.
The Hyundai engine settlement is what?
There is no fee or out-of-pocket expense to participate in this case. The court will decide and award appropriate fees and costs to the class’s legal team in the event Hagens Berman or any other firm secures a settlement that benefits class members.
Consumers requested that a federal judge in California finally approve a $890 million settlement with Hyundai and Kia. The agreement calls for the automakers to provide a lifetime warranty on the Theta II GDI engines, make specific cash payments, and pay owners of impacted vehicles for repairs and other out-of-pocket expenses associated with the prone-to-failure engines. Although a $758 million settlement was conditionally approved by U.S. District Judge Josephine L. Staton of the Central District of California in May, the updated sum, which may eventually reach $1.3 billion, “offers the class virtually everything Plaintiffs hoped to recover through the litigation,” consumers wrote in their filing. On November 13, 2020, the Court will decide whether to approve the parties’ settlement during the final fairness hearing.
Plaintiffs’ $758 million agreement with automakers involving 4.1 million vehicles equipped with Theta II GDI engines was provisionally granted by U.S. District Judge Josephine L. Staton of the Central District of California in an order dated May 7, 2020.
Additional vehicles affected by this problem, which could result in vehicle fires, have been recalled by Hyundai and Kia. In turn, Hagens Berman is increasing its legal action. affected new automobiles consist of:
- Santa Fe in 2012
- Sonata Hybrid from 2011 to 2013
- Sonata Hybrid 2016
- Veloster 2015–2016
- Kia Soul, 2012–2019
- 2011–2012 Kia Forte and Forte Koup
- 2013–2014 Kia Forte and Forte Koup
- Kia Optima Hybrid from 2011 to 2013
- Kia Rio, 2012–2019
- Kia Sorento, 2012–2013
- Kia Sportage 2012