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Certain Hyundai and Kia vehicles equipped with Theta II 2.4 Liter 4-cylinder gas engines have defects that may cause catastrophic engine failures and car fires, according to a recent Canadian class action lawsuit.
Quebec resident and lead plaintiff Ludovic Pelletant says he purchased a 2012 Kia Sportage in 2012 that was equipped with a Theta II engine.
According to the plaintiff, the Kia Sportage recently completely shutdown while Pelletant was driving on a highway.
Pelletant says that when he took the vehicle in for repairs, and despite having a relatively low number of miles and getting regular oil changes, he was told the Sportage would need a whole new engine.
According to the Kia Canada class action, the vehicles impacted by this engine defect include 2011 through 2016 Hyundai Sonata vehicles, 2013 through 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles, 2011 through 2016 Kia Optima vehicles, 2012 through 2016 Kia Sportage vehicles, and the 2014 through 2016 Kia Sorrento vehicles.
The Theta II engine installed in the affected vehicles, according to the Kia, Hyundai Canada class action lawsuit, put new stresses on the lubrication systems. Specifically, says the complaint, “[t]he Theta II engines included a piston cooling jet attached to the main oil gallery on the Cylinder block that cools the piston by spraying a mist of engine oil onto each overhead piston. This feature also results in increased oil temperatures and contributes to more engine oil being atomized into the crankcase gases.”
The car makers did not account for the stresses of the new system, including clogging in the lubrication systems, claims the plaintiff, instead they touted the increased efficiency and lower emissions of the Theta II.
However, on Sept. 20, 2015, Kia and Hyundai issued a recall for 470,000 late model Sonata vehicles equipped with the Theta II. The recall was issued, according to the car makers, because of problems with engine noise and the check engine light turning on.
Further, notes the Hyundai Canada class action lawsuit, another recall affecting 1.4 million vehicles with the Theta II engine was issued by the car makers in April 2017. This recall was issued over failing and stalling caused by the engines.
On March 6, 2019, according to the plaintiff, the Canadian Broadcasting Company issued a report over concerns that the same Theta II engines subject to the recalls were continuing to suffer from stalling and other problems, including potential fires.
This is not the first class action lawsuit filed over the Theta II engines. A Hyundai, Kia class action lawsuit was filed in the United States earlier this year alleging that defects cause catastrophic failures in the engine.
The Kia, Hyundai Canada class action lawsuit claims that the Theta II engine is prone to clogging in the lubrication systems, causing “oil starvation.” “This results in insufficient lubrication throughout the Class Vehicle’s engine, which cause premature wear of the engine components and catastrophic engine failure,” states the complaint.
Kia and Hyundai allegedly knew of the Theta II engine defects, but failed to warn consumers. In fact, alleges the Kia, Hyundai Canada class action lawsuit, the car makers “intentionally” concealed the problem.
The Kia Canada class action lawsuit seeks to represent a Class of consumers from the province of Quebec who bought or leased one the of affected vehicles.
Has your Kia or Hyundai stalled or experienced engine failure? Tell us more in the comments!
The plaintiff is represented by Merchant Group LLP.
The Kia, Hyundai Canada Class Action Lawsuit is Pelletant v. Hyundai Auto Canada Corp., et al., Case No. 500-06-001013-198, in the Superior Court of Canada, Province of Quebec, District of Montreal.
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74 thoughts onKia, Hyundai Canada Class Action Alleges Engine Failure
I bought a brand new 2019 kia sorento in March of 2019. In September of 2019 the power steering light kept coming on and I would loose control of the steering wheel either it would be too stiff of really loose. My car has been at the kia dealership for 3 months gping on 4 months with them trying to fix the issue with them not being successful. Kia Canada is pushing the dealership to keep trying to fix the car meanwhile the dealership is in agreement with me that I dhould get a new car as this car is not safe to be driving.
If anyone can help me please let me know how I can get in contact with you
please have someone contact us in respect to this class action
I would also like to get more information on this calss action law suit. My sone was driving the truck and it just stopped while he was driving. very dangerous and they said my vehicle does not part of this recall.
daughters 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.4 engine self destructed at 86000 kms.
had difficult time repairing vehicle due to no engines or parts available and the ignorance of Hyundai Canada not wanting to address the situation
I have s 2017 Kia Rondo EX that is only 2.5 years old and 122,000km.
I was told the engine needs to be placed for over $10,000.
The engine made knocking sounds and then the oil light came on.
I have a 2013 kia soul, i just had this happen with mine at 95,000 km. No engine light just a severe piston slap and burning oil. Kia told me” too bad, it’s over your 5 yr warranty”! ?
My 2016 kia sorento is at kia right now the engine is getting replaced for this problem
My 2016 Sorrento has been serviced every step of the way as prescribed by KIA. Today at 101,000 KM I found that I have burned through the equivalent of 1 Litre of oil per 1000 km. since my last oil change. Basically my warranty is up and I need a new engine. KIA Canada had to have known based on all of these reported issues. Tell me my service men did not know when they trained what little oil was there. I feel I was carried over the warranty finish line and left hung out to dry. How do we get in on this Class Action Lawsuit?
We have a 2015 Hyundai sonata eco. The engine is losing oil somewhere. The engine and transmission both have been cause for our towing needs to the dealership. Transmission was already replaced at our expense. We have to add 1 to 2 quarts of oil every fill up. We have Always serviced it at the Hyundai dealership including all oil changes so there is a complete record of everything done. After extensive repairs and investigations at the Hyundai dealer they have “concluded” that it is just normal and we are to just keep adding oil. Please add me to the list
We have a 2015 Hyundai sonata eco. The engine is losing oil somewhere. We have to add 1 to 2 quarts of oil every fill up. We have Always serviced it at the Hyundai dealership including all oil changes so there is a complete record of everything done. After extensive repairs and investigations at the Hyundai dealer they have “concluded” that it is just normal and we are to just keep adding oil. Please add me to the list
Yes. I have a 2013 Kia optima and I was on my way to my step mother funeral and my car stopped on me. The motor made a popping sound and after that my car quit. I was 3 hours away from home. I had to pay for towing, that I was not reimbursed for. My car has not been right since. When I stop and park I hear something like it’s still on but the dealership say that’s how it suppose to sound.. I don’t think so..
Please add me
I had a 2012 Kia Sportage and it constantly had engine issues. Ended up being more money and trouble then it was worth. please add me.