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Hyundai and Kia Get Served A Class-Action Lawsuit

By William Maley

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  • Deals with an engine defect that can cause a fire to erupt

Hyundai and Kia find in themselves in a bit of legal trouble. Last week, the law firm Hagens Berman filed a class-action lawsuit against the Korean automakers over an alleged defect on two engines; the 2.4L four-cylinder and turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder from the Theta II family. 

The defect in question is a flaw in the engine design that “restricts or blocks oil flow to the engine’s moving parts, such as connecting rod bearings, prematurely wearing out those parts to the point that the engine parts seize, which stops engine operation while running. Engine seizure often causes internal parts, such as the connecting rods, to break and knock a hole in the engine, permitting fluids to leak and ignite a fire,” according to the lawsuit. More than 350 complaints have been filed on National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) on models equipped with these engines,

  • 2011-2019 Hyundai Sonata
  • 2011-2019 Kia Optima
  • 2011-2019 Kia Sportage
  • 2012-2019 Kia Sorento and Soul
  • 2012-2019 Kia Soul
  • 2013-2019 Hyundai Santa Fe
  • 2013-2019 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport

Bloomberg reports that NHTSA has opened an investigation into the "timeliness and scope of the carmakers’ recalls related to manufacturing errors in “Theta II” engines." Hyundai has issued two recalls in 2015 and 2017 for certain Sonata and Santa Fe models. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York meanwhile has opened a criminal investigation into this issue.

When reached for comment, Hyundai Motor declined to say anything about the lawsuit. In a statement, the company said that “nothing is more important than the safety and security of Hyundai customers,” noting that it is 

cooperating with the U.S. Department of Transportation and the NHTSA.

“Over the past three years, we have held numerous meetings with DOT and NHTSA representatives, and proactively discussed and identified possible safety items for NHTSA’s evaluation, including the engine recalls. NHTSA has been fully briefed and kept apprised of these recalls and low rates of associated non-collision fires,” said Hyundai Motor.

Source: Bloomberg

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    Intrepidation

    In Hibernation

    Not as remarkable as a simple thread about an engine lawsuit turning into a butt mad extravaganza.

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    Cmicasa the Great

    In Hibernation
    5 minutes ago, Intrepidation said:

    Not as remarkable as a simple thread about an engine lawsuit turning into a butt mad extravaganza.

    Well.. personally I hate Hyundai.. and anyone that defends them I wouldn't mind seeing go ? themselves as well. I love GM.. and Ford because they have history.. they make great vehicles still.. and they are American. 

    11 minutes ago, A Horse With No Name said:

    In all fairness there is no comparison betwern Hyundai and GM. GM has built tons more remarkable vehicles than Hyundai.

    Absolutely. This year alone. GM's only failure when U really look at it.. is their inability to.. NO SCRATCH THAT.. unwillingness to market properly or enuff. I actually believe in my heart of hearts that GM is killing the Cruze, for instance, because they can not make money off of it under UAW manufacturing contracts. The money they would use, that foreign manufacturers use to advertise their small cars is the same money GM (and Ford.. and Chrysler) have to use to pay UAW salaries. 

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    Intrepidation

    In Hibernation
    6 minutes ago, Cmicasa the Great said:

    Well.. personally I hate Hyundai.. and anyone that defends them I wouldn't mind seeing go ? themselves as well. I love GM.. and Ford because they have history.. they make great vehicles still.. and they are American. 

     


    So because their opinion differs they should fuck themselves. Right.

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    Cmicasa the Great

    In Hibernation
    2 minutes ago, Intrepidation said:

     


    So because their opinion differs they should f@#k themselves. Right.

    Yes?

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    Newbie

    ocnblu

    Members

    So many, lined up, reaching for the sky.  And loaners.  Loaners out for munts.

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    Mentor

    A Horse With No Name

    Members
    2 hours ago, ocnblu said:

    So many, lined up, reaching for the sky.  And loaners.  Loaners out for munts.

    One more mess in the automotive universe...

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    • Veteran

    ccap41

    New Member
    11 hours ago, Cmicasa the Great said:

    Still dazed and confused at they reasons why the ignition switch thing ever occurred. It was proven that the inclusion of billions of keys and a bunch of bullsh!t on the the key ring was what led to the issue.. I guess in truth GM should have tested their ignition switches to a point that the device could have held the weight of an 3 month old before they released the vehicles. But that's pretty much a moot point.. as they fixed the issue a decade ago and went a step further in equipping a great deal of their line-up with key-less ignition..

    GO FAP ? on that. Preferably with the door locked and a box of Kleenex ready and waiting

    My assumption would be that there wasn't a warning in the manual stating you shouldn't hang young children from your key chain without repercussions. 

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    Mentor

    A Horse With No Name

    Members
    33 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

    My assumption would be that there wasn't a warning in the manual stating you shouldn't hang young children from your key chain without repercussions. 

    User error with products is pretty much epic. I would hate to be an OEM and put billions of dollars into something to have inept humans destroy it in every way imaginable.

    But then again, given the behavior of a few individuals in this thread...a Horse is probably too complicated for most 21st century humans to operate. My 5 year old niece can ride one just fine...most modern humans....not so much.

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    Veteran

    Robert Hall

    Premium Subscriber
    (edited)
    22 minutes ago, A Horse With No Name said:

    User error with products is pretty much epic. I would hate to be an OEM and put billions of dollars into something to have inept humans destroy it in every way imaginable.

    But then again, given the behavior of a few individuals in this thread...a Horse is probably too complicated for most 21st century humans to operate. My 5 year old niece can ride one just fine...most modern humans....not so much.

    I could imagine riding a horse today would be difficult...no cupholders, no phone charger outlet, no nav.   Though they can be autonomous and green as far as fuel.     (I rode horses a few times as a child 40 years ago). 

    Edited by Robert Hall

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    Veteran

    ccap41

    New Member
    20 minutes ago, A Horse With No Name said:

    User error with products is pretty much epic. I would hate to be an OEM and put billions of dollars into something to have inept humans destroy it in every way imaginable.

    But then again, given the behavior of a few individuals in this thread...a Horse is probably too complicated for most 21st century humans to operate. My 5 year old niece can ride one just fine...most modern humans....not so much.

    Yes. Yes. Yes. 

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    Cmicasa the Great

    In Hibernation
    1 hour ago, ccap41 said:

    My assumption would be that there wasn't a warning in the manual stating you shouldn't hang young children from your key chain without repercussions. 

    First time ever U made me laugh. Anyway.. U are correct. There wasn't. Thus GM being liable for idiot's not able to access the common sense part of their brains

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    Veteran

    Robert Hall

    Premium Subscriber
    1 minute ago, Cmicasa the Great said:

    First time ever U made me laugh. Anyway.. U are correct. There wasn't. Thus GM being liable for idiot's not able to access the common sense part of their brains

    Common sense isn't common.  20+ years dealing with the imbeciles in corporate America has taught me that...

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    Newbie

    FAPTurbo

    Members
    1 hour ago, Cmicasa the Great said:

    Thus GM being liable for idiot's not able to access the common sense part of their brains

    other car makers didn’t have ignition issues. 

    you’re implying only idiots buy GM’s?

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    balthazar

    In Hibernation
    1 hour ago, FAPTurbo said:

    other car makers didn’t have ignition issues.

    Less farting, more research.

    Screen Shot 2018-12-19 at 2.18.07 PM.png

    Screen Shot 2018-12-19 at 2.20.11 PM.png

    Screen Shot 2018-12-19 at 2.22.55 PM.png

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    Newbie

    ocnblu

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    (edited)

    Plus if a car engine is shut off while driving, even if the key is turned to the "off" position due to weight of keys but there is no "lock" position, then the car will lose steering assist and brake assist... but it will not lose the ability to steer or stop... those functions will still be fully operational without the assist.  Unless the brain of the driver is not.  Fully functional.  Wow, we are still taking abote this?  This is a little bit different than the engine compartment erupting in flames... there is a 100% chance of serious damage to the vehicle, and a very high chance of total loss.

    Edited by ocnblu

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    balthazar

    In Hibernation

    Why delay the inevitable?

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    • Mentor

    A Horse With No Name

    Members
    On 12/19/2018 at 11:09 PM, balthazar said:

    Why delay the inevitable?

    In regards to trading in a crappy Hyundai, banning a half wit, or giving in to the internal desire for really good pizza for lunch?

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    Grand Master

    G. David Felt

    Members
    18 minutes ago, A Horse With No Name said:

    In regards to trading in a crappy Hyundai, banning a half wit, or giving in to the internal desire for really good pizza for lunch?

    I choose all 3, trade in that crappy Hyundai, ban the half wit and enjoy that lovely pizza! :P 

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