Hyundai / Kia Theta engine class action suit. . . .settled!

[Robster]

I received two notifications yesterday by mail (I have two Hyundai's in the family) advising that as part of the settlement, my two Hyundai Theta engines are covered for bearing-related engine failures for the life of the car. That warranty will follow the car to the junkyard, regardless of ownership. This official settlement notice basically mimics what Hyundai has been doing over the last year and it was rumored (at the dealership) that this result was in the works. I'm OK with that settlement. . . I think it's fair. What do other H/K owners think?

 

[wwillson]

What models and what years does this cover?

 

[Silverado12]

I think it's fair too. Should also cover rental because this could happen if you're on a trip. Personally, I wouldn't want the car at all if the engine can fail at any time.

 

[Ws6]

I don't own it, but sounds legit to me, as long as they will reimburse travel/inconvenience.

 

[ryster]

I received the packet in the mail on Monday as well even though I traded my 2011 Sonata over 5 years ago. Looked through the packet and the numerous options, laughed at a few of them, and threw the packet away. The one remedy involving an "arms length trade" of the offending vehicle for another Hyundai was unique.

I could have sworn the packet said there was going to be a final hearing in November to decide if the proposed remedies were acceptable. Once they are judged acceptable, then everything will be official. In any event, if I still had the car it would probably be on its second engine. It was already using 1qt of oil every 800 miles by the time I traded it in.

 

[Robster]

I think it's fair too. Should also cover rental because this could happen if you're on a trip. Personally, I wouldn't want the car at all if the engine can fail at any time.

It covers rental. . . .

 

[rekit]

What is an "arm's length trade? sounds like a "bendover trade". Our 2016 Optima Theta is a great car, approaching 60K. No oil usage yet. Hope we got lucky....

 

[Blagoje]

The one remedy involving an "arms length trade" of the offending vehicle for another Hyundai was unique.

This is smart business by Hyundai, many dealerships have low inventories of used vehicles right now and probably will for the remainder of the calendar year. If I had one of those problem cars I would happily consider trading it in and letting it be someone else's problem. And I guarantee that if a car can safely be resold at a dealership or at an auction it will happen.

 

[Robster]

UPDATE: Apparently all parties have agreed to the settlement as written. I believe it will be adjudicated in federal court (California) later this year.

 

[wwillson]

What models and what years does this cover?

Vehicles in the settlement include 2.3 million Hyundai (2011-2019 Sonata, 2013-2018 Santa Fe Sport, 2019 Santa Fe, and 2014, 2015, 2018, and 2019 Tucson) and 1.8 million Kia (2011-2019 model year Sportage, Sorento and Optima) vehicles with 2.0-liter and 2.4-liter GDI engines.


Terms of the settlement include:

• Cash reimbursement for certain past repairs and related expenses, such as towing and rental cars;
• Cash compensation for certain past trade-ins, sales, and in lieu of certain repairs;
• Free inspection and repair or replacement of damaged engines;
• Lifetime warranty coverage for short block assembly repairs for original and subsequent owners;
• Free installation of the knock sensor detection system software update;
• Various goodwill compensation for customers inconvenienced by previous lengthy engine repair times, denied warranty coverage, and vehicle loss of value, among other provisions

Source

 

[Nick1994]

Man, I should have kept my Sonata

 

[reemoeMO]

I noticed wwillson mentioned the 2019 Santa Fe above, but I was curious why it would not include the 2020 Santa Fe, as they are basically the same car (2.4 L GDI). Does anyone know?

 

[Propflux01]

I guess none of them blew up yet.

 

[CKN]

I guess none of them blew up yet.

There are several manufacturers that could take a lesson from this. However-they have been replacing motors without this settlement for a while.

Hyundai is playing the "long ball" game. In todays competitive environment-it's a very smart move.

 

[Propflux01]

I was looking a a tuscon, but even for 2021 they are still using the 2.4, even though the newer 2.5 is already in the 2020 sonata. I don’t want an engine I knows gonna use oil or blow up. I’ll wait.

 

[CKN]

I was looking a a tuscon, but even for 2021 they are still using the 2.4, even though the newer 2.5 is already in the 2020 sonata. I don’t want an engine I knows gonna use oil or blow up. I’ll wait.

They fixed them. And are standing behind them for the entire life of the vehicle. IMHO-that's a company I would want to buy from.

Ford never did that with the Exploding gas tanks on the Pintos-they tried to cover it up.

 

[Propflux01]

What was the actual issue?

 

[twouvakind]

I noticed wwillson mentioned the 2019 Santa Fe above, but I was curious why it would not include the 2020 Santa Fe, as they are basically the same car (2.4 L GDI). Does anyone know?

Be careful not to shake the tree, I have the 2.4(non GDI) in my 2011 Forte SX@126k all good knock wood.

 

[JustinH]

The engine never let go on my Sonata, it was everything else.

I put 3 Starters in the car before I traded it in, it had a plastic part that would break every year like clockwork.

Also had some AC issues as well.

 

[Silverado12]

They fixed them. And are standing behind them for the entire life of the vehicle. IMHO-that's a company I would want to buy from.

Ford never did that with the Exploding gas tanks on the Pintos-they tried to cover it up.

That was 40 years ago too.