Top Class Actions’s website and social media posts use affiliate links. If you make a purchase using such links, we may receive a commission, but it will not result in any additional charges to you. Please review our Affiliate Link Disclosure for more information.
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.
ATTORNEY ADVERTISING
Top Class Actions is a Proud Member of the American Bar Association
LEGAL INFORMATION IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE
Top Class Actions Legal Statement
©2008 – 2024 Top Class Actions® LLC
Various Trademarks held by their respective owners
This website is not intended for viewing or usage by European Union citizens.
DR Power Equipment recall issued for 58K leaf blowers, vacuums due to laceration risk
May 9, 2024 | Product Recalls
203 thoughts onCanada Hyundai, Kia Class Action Alleges Engine Defect
My 2013 Kia Forte SX seized on the highway in Edmonton on 3-April-2023. I managed to get it towed to Go Kia South. I have gad the car since new, with no issues, codes, or warning lights. It just stopped completely. The dealership said it was seized and I had done some research on the Theta II after the fact. I know what’s wrong. They refuse to replace it free of charge. They don’t acknowledge the engine issue either. I will be out $6503, not including what else I have spent due to this. I am in big financial trouble.
2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
Great little car with no issues until at 105,000 km it lost power in the middle of the highway. Was able to pull safely off the road thankfully and from there it would not start. Towed it to the nearest garage where I am told the engine is blown and I will need a new one at a 7000 (+ tax) bill.
Waiting to hear from Hyundai in Prince George while they decide if they will cover the RECALL warranty since it is over 5 years and 100,000 km. (According to their website, they have increased the warranty to 200,000 km due to these engines)
The warranty was the reason for buying this car in the first place! NEVER AGAIN
I bought a Kia optima lx plus 2019 brand new. My motor went at 40,000 kms. The car was very well maintained. I was merging on the highway and the car went into limp mode. My car was down 8.5 months. The dealership it was at not only treated and spoke to me like a piece of garbage but the car was returned to me with no air bags and no horn, they busted the clock spring. The dealership claimed on the invoice that it had been fixed, when it was sent to another dealership they said it had never been replaced. Not sure how they busted it to start with. However, Kia Canada as well as the dealership told me it was safe to drive with no airbags and when I mentioned no horn a few weeks later that was their big safety concern. They did pay for the rental while my car was down however I had said that I have lost faith in this vehicle and I’m afraid it’s going to happen again. I was in a bad car accident 5 years ago that has left me disabled and I just do not feel safe in this vehicle. All Kia Canada offered me was a $300 service credit which I have had to fight back and forth for because they told the dealership $250 after I raised a stink when there was no offer sent to them at all. I barely drive my car. I have had my car back since October and the engine is making the same knocking noise it was when the last engine started to fail. I have asked them to buy it back and they won’t. And if I had known about this engine issue I NEVER would have bought this car or any car from this manufacturer. Now I’m stuck paying on a vehicle that I absolutely hate and cannot honestly say that I feel safe or feel that it won’t leave me stranded from engine issues. Sad! The fact that they sent that car to me unsafe just blows my mind! How is this company still manufacturing vehicles putting peoples safety at risk?
2015 Kia Soul, engine no good with only 181,000kms.
I bought a used 2015 Kia forte se, my engine blew, I got a quote to replace the engine was going to be over $6,000 dollars. I got the diagnostic done and the part that was defected would have been covered by Kia Canada because of the warranty with Kia Canada but then never covered the cost and wouldn’t return my calls. Please add me
My 2015 Hyundai Accent burned up…engine seized while I was driving and I just got out when it went up in flames. Oli light came on once and immediately topped it up and had an oil change. It was making a knocking sound which I was told Hyundais do when the engine’s about to go. Halifax Hyundai dealer service doesn’t answer their phones and are known for it. Hyundai is a dangerous vehicle which could have killed me.
I bought a 2016 kia soul gdi and all of a sudden the engine stalled and started knocking I then stopped to check the oil the car was fully off I burnt my hand and oil splattered o the right side of my face November 2022 last week. It was horrible and painful only 89 kms
I am unfortunately the owner of a 20/20 Kia soul which I purchased brand new from Kia Nanaimo within 6 months I was having problems with the car. Jerking shaking shuddering stalling I took my vehicle to Kia where I was told they needed to do an oil test and I was told to drive my unsafe dangerous vehicle with my special needs client that I work with as my full-time job which I was also told my client is no longer allowed to be in that vehicle or I will no longer have a job so I had to go purchase another vehicle to transport my client. I have gone through multiple issues with this car. The top half of the engine has already been replaced. I believe that the engine they replaced it with is still the engine with problems. I recently just had the catalytic converter replaced because of all the oil loss from the engine going into the catalytic system which caused more issues. I don’t wish this on anybody. I’m at a loss emotionally financially. I lost all faith in driving it. I am terrified to drive it. It has caused so much trauma, grief and stress. I have contacted Kia Canada. I have told Kia Nanaimo. I wanted my money back. They offered me $20,000 for a car. I paid $35,000 for less than 2 years ago. My hands are tied. I can’t sell the car with a clear content so I feel I’m being forced to sell the car back to Kia so they no longer have to deal with me which is fine because I no longer want to deal with Kia. I would never ever recommend a Kia product to anyone!!! Please if there is somebody who knows how I can join a class action against Kia. I live in Nanaimo. Help!!!
Also let me add,this Car stalled on a very busy Rd and I was almost broadsided with my client, immediately went to Kia Traumatised and was told I needed to drive it 1500 kms after almost being involved in a serious accident! Car stalled many times since, performance was never the same. Zero compassion not even from Kia Canada, as a matter of fact when I spoke with Kia Canada and mentioned to rep that I was contemplating contacting media, he proceeded to tell me if that is what you’re going to do then do it! Promptly hanging up on me! 😞
I had a 2014 Kia Soul .The engine lost all power on the highway.Engine recall arrived in the mail a week later.Towed it to Kia dealership.Kia refused to honour the recall.It sat there for a year while I continued to make car payments.Had no choice but to trade it in for a new Kia.Kia offered 2000 for my 2014.I now have a huge consolidated car payment for a new car I never wanted.
I have a 2014 Hyundai sonata I was driving down a very busy two lane highway coming up was a very big curve I was going alone with traffic about 70 mph as u are coming off that curve there are two lanes that you merge with so turns turns into four Lanes I was half way around the curve and my car completely shut off no steering no brakes no power what so ever I started to go into the lane left if me and almost hit a truck I don’t know what happened but thank God it just came back on and I just barely got it back in my lane right before I connect with another vehicle I almost caused a huge pile up a lot of people could have seriously been hurt or killed and since then my engine has gotten extremely loud my car seems to loose power as I’m driving my steering wheel and another light has come on the the steering feels like it’s gall over the place I don’t know but seriously upset that I bought this car I spent all the money I had just to get it and have had nothing but issue after issue with it since would like to see if I am able to be a part of this lawsuit can someone please tell me what I need to do