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A British Columbia man claims that certain Hyundai and Kia vehicles are equipped with inadequately lubricated engines which causes engine seizures and even catastrophic failure.
Plaintiff John Kevin Killoran alleges that the sub-par lubrication in Hyundai Sonatas, Santa Fe Sports, and Tucsons, as well as Kia Optimas, Sportages, Sorrentos, and Souls can even cause the engines to catch on fire.
Killoran claims that his 2012 Hyundai Tucson suffered from the alleged engine defect. He says that only a year after he purchased the vehicle, while he was driving with his spouse and young infant in late December, the engine began knocking loudly. Ultimately, the car lost power, says Killoran, and he had to pull over.
Originally, the plaintiff had to pay more than $600 to fix the Tucson, notes the complaint. Ultimately, however, Killoran alleges he had to replace the entire engine.
The plaintiff says that the replacement would have cost him more than $8,000, but he shared his story on an investigative news report and, as a result, Hyundai agreed to cover the cost.
According to the Hyundai class action, GDI engines are affected by the defect. The engines contain metal debris from the factory were they were made, Killoran claims.
The metallic residue makes it difficult for adequate lubrication to be distributed throughout the engine and as a result, the engines are allegedly prone to catastrophic failure.
The Canada Hyundai, Kia class action lawsuit states that the defect is present in the following vehicles:
- 2011 through 2016 Hyundai Sonatas
- 2013 through 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sports
- 2011 through 2015 Hyundai Tucsons
- 2011 through 2016 Kia Optimas
- 2012 through 2016 Kia Sportages
- 2014 through 2016 Kia Sorrentos
- 2012 through 2016 Kia Souls
Killoran contends that Hyundai and Kia knew or should have known of the allegedly defective engine in the vehicles. In addition to consumer complaints, the carmakers issued technical service bulletins about the problem, says the plaintiff. Further, the carmakers’ own testing should have revealed the problem.
In addition to allegedly having to pay expenses related to the defective engines, the plaintiff says he would not have purchased or paid as much for the affected vehicle. Further, says Killoran, he and other Class Members face safety hazards, should their vehicles stall unexpectedly while driving.
“Had Plaintiff and the proposed class members known of the Engine Defect, they would not have purchased or leased the Affected Class Vehicles, or would have paid substantially less for them,” states the complaint.
“Engine failure and/or fire in the Affected Class Vehicles also requires expensive repairs, car rentals, car payments, towing charges, time off work, and other miscellaneous costs. Moreover, as a result of the Engine Defect and the Defendants concealment thereof, the Affected Class Vehicles have a lower market value, and are inherently worth less than they would be.”
The Canada Hyundai, Kia class action lawsuit seeks to represent all those who purchased or leased one of the allegedly defective vehicles.
Do you drive a Hyundai or Kia that stalled or lost power? Tell us more in the comments below.
The plaintiff is represented by K.S. Garcha of Garcha & Company, Barristers & Solicitors.
The Canada Hyundai, Kia Class Action Lawsuit is Killoran v. Hyundai Auto Canada Corp., et al., Case No. S-194327, in the Supreme Court of British Columbia, Canada.
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203 thoughts onCanada Hyundai, Kia Class Action Alleges Engine Defect
My husband brought me a 2017 Santa fe sport and its making noise now.
Good day,
I recently read your article about the Hyundai engine problem/recalls and potential class action suite against Hyundai Canada.
I personally purchased a 2014 Sante Fe sport with a 2.0T. After about 65,000km while driving on the highway my engine completely broke down by throwing a piston rod right through the block. Hyundai Edmonton North covered the engine replacement under warranty, but took over 1 month and still charged me for the fluids and a new battery as the old battery froze outside during repair work.
The vehicle never ran right after that, sputtering and having a hard idle, and hard to start. I beleive it was because they used the old damaged cylinder head from the old motor as Hyundai Canada only covered the short block.
I traded in the vehicle after being pressured by a salesman because the “vehicle dosent run right” and it will soon break down and wont be covered by warranty. I took a very large loss on trade in for a new 2016 Santa fe.
My new Santa fe has had the 3 engine recalls preformed on it which I feel would have prevent my original motor from failing.
Thank you for your time,
Chris Clegg
I purchased a new 2014 Hyundai Sonata. My new car started knocking like a Diesel engine within a few months. Every time I started the car around friends, somebody would comment about my brand new knocking motor. I went on line to see if anybody else was experiencing knocking with their Sonata’s and that’s when I discovered that the car’s motor was destined to fail AND Hyundai was telling people it was their own fault for not having enough oil in their motors and not honoring their warranties! I bought a new car because I wanted something reliable when I had to travel (often) for work. I constantly worried about the motor failing when I was traveling alone.
When I took the car in for an oil change, I told the manager of the repair department at the dealership what I had found online. He admitted Hyundai knew they had a problem and wouldn’t send out a recall until they knew how to fix it. He told me after the oil change that he did not find any metal shavings in the oil that was removed from my vehicle. I finally received notice of recall in 2017, but that they still didn’t have a fix so I finally traded it in on a new Turbo Sonata. I really took it in the shorts financially because of them. It’s very unfair that they can get away with this. I feel that I should have been financially compensated for their bad motor. I bought another Hyundai only because I could not knowingly trade in a car that I knew had a defective motor. I wasn’t going to pass on the bad Karma.
Hyundai Sonata driver with previous engine failure.
Engine failure in Kia Soul 2015, 2 liter engine. It was brought used from a Kia dealership in Toronto with 60,000 kms. It was serviced regularly at Oil Changers every 6000 kms.
At 94,000 kms, the engine suddenly lost power while driving. The vehicle was towed to Kia dealership. The engine was under warranty for 100,000 km
The engine failure was confirmed. But warranty was rejected due to “aftermarket filter, low oil level (oil was replaced 6000 kms earlier), metal shavings in oil”. I was advised to get a new engine at around $12,000 which was almost the value of the car as per “Black book”! Kia refused to entertain me, all communication was through the dealership.
Never again, Kia or Hyundai!!
I have a 2011 Hyundai Tucson 2lt engine with 94kms on it and the valves are knocking very badly. Is there a class action law suit in Edmonton or Alberta against Hyundai Canada ?
I check with Hyundai website if there is any recall on my VIN but none for engine.
I will never buy another Hyundai again and will damn sure let all my friends know of it. They are becoming to be known as the imports of FORDs ??????. Very disappointed and shame on you, Hyundai.
I have a 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.0t and since the supposed software update I had in early 2019( Engine Knock), the power output has dropped significantly. This is very disappointing as I spent close to $2000 for the tow package install and use this vehicle to tow a small trailer. I no longer feel confident towing and have also experienced much higher Fuel consumption under regular driving conditions. Will never purchase another vehicle from Hyundai in the future.
I purchased a 2011 Hyundai Sonata…the car would stall and I would constantly be pressing on the gas but it would slow down or nit move. Eventually I had to pull over on a major highway to avoid an accident. I called Hyundai corporate and told them the problem. They knew the problem and a new engine was installed. This happened in Maryland.
I purchased a 2012 Kia Optima new. I have had so many recalls I’ve lost count. My engine seized and luckily it was still under warranty. But since having the engine replaced I constantly have to fill the coolant reservoir, I took it back to the dealership and as usual they could find no leak. I am pretty sure I will never purchase a Kia again, no matter the model. If this qualifies I would sure as heck join a class action.
I have had a 2012 Kia Optima that I purchased in 2016 or 17, and am on my 3rd engine with it. I would have never gotten the car had I known all the trouble I’d go through with it. I was driving down the highway to go pick up my daughter(thank goodness I hadn’t gotten her yet.) and my engine completely seized. I had to have it towed to a dealership over 100 miles from where I live. The second time it did the exact same thing but I got lucky and only had to have it towed to the one nearest me. It’s ridiculous.