Dominic Rivera  |  December 30, 2013

Category: Consumer News

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Hyundai, Kia class action settlementSouth Korean automakers Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Motors Corp. announced that they have reached a combined $400 million settlement in a class action lawsuit alleging that they inflated the fuel economy data for their vehicles.

The Hyundai vehicles included in the class action settlement are the Accent, Elantra, Veloster, Veloster Turbo, Sonata Hybrid, Azera, Genesis, Tucson and Santa Fe Sport. The Kia vehicles affected include the Rio, Sportage, Sorento, Soul and Optima hybrid.

Both companies admitted to inflating the fuel economy data for an estimated 600,000 Hyundai and 300,000 Kia vehicles. Hyundai is expected to pay out $210 million, depending on how Class Members would take their payment, which can be as a lump sum or through a lifetime reimbursement program based on restated mileage numbers from November 2012. Kia, on the other hand, is projected to pay out $185 million. This would bring the total cost for the two companies to about $400 million.

Each Kia owner covered by the class action settlement may receive an average lump sum of $667, while Hyundai owners are expected to receive an average payout of $353. Payment may still vary based on whether the vehicle was purchased or leased.

Owners may also decline and stay on an earlier plan where special debit cards were issued by the automakers to reimburse for the difference in mileage. Owners are required to report their actual usage to their local dealers.

Another option is dealership credit of 150% of the lump sum cash payment for service or repairs. Class Members may also avail of 200% of the cash amount toward the purchase of a new Hyundai or Kia vehicle.

Early this year, the automakers made public apologies, calling the discrepancies in fuel economy data as “procedural errors.” Consumers allege in the class action lawsuit that Hyundai and Kia “knowingly or recklessly exaggerated estimated gas mileage and fuel economy rating information… In order to entice” consumers into buying the vehicles.

Since the discovery, Kia and Hyundai have changed the window stickers of most of their models to reflect the actual fuel economy of the vehicles. The Elantra lost two miles per gallon, while the Hyundai Santa Fe went from 33 mpg to 29 mpg. The 2013 Kia Soul lost six from its highway figure, lowering it from 34 mpg to 28 mpg.

A federal court in Los Angeles is expected to rule on the proposed Hyundai Kia class action settlement in early 2014.

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The consolidated Hyundai/Kia Mileage Class Action Lawsuit case is In Re: Hyundai and Kia Fuel Economy Litigation, MDL 2424, in the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation.

UPDATE 1: A group of breakaway Class Members filed an objection to the proposed Hyundai Kia class action lawsuit settlement, calling it “unreasonable” and “unfair” to consumers.

UPDATE 2: A settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit alleging Hyundai Motor America and Hyundai Motor Company misrepresented the fuel economy of certain Hyundai vehicles. Consumers who purchased or leased certain Hyundai vehicles could be eligible for a cash payment or other benefits. Learn more at the Hyundai Fuel Economy Settlement.

UPDATE 3: As of Apr. 11, 2016, six different appeals have been filed concerning the Hyundai Fuel Economy Settlement. Until the Court resolves those appeals, the Claims Administrator is unable to mail out settlement funds. 

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65 thoughts onHyundai, Kia Reach $400M Class Action Settlement Over MPG Claims

  1. Clare M. Hoeni says:

    I filed years ago and have tried various sites and get nowhere regarding my claim other than seeing that the settlement was reached. I tried Kia and got no response and the original website is not working. Does anyone know if payments were sent out and how do I find out why I never received mine for my KIA 2013. I still own it and still live at the same address.

  2. Jean Dolan says:

    I have heard nothing from Kia sonata 2015 and 3010 elantra why

  3. john boy says:

    paying out in 4 to six weeks. I got an email

  4. Cheryl Morris says:

    Any update??? I am still looking for a settlement on my Kia Sorento. Is it still in appeals?

  5. Rose Young says:

    I want to be included in this suit.

    1. David says:

      Too LATE!!!

  6. Alan keller says:

    I purchased a 2006 Azera new and complained about my mileage of 13 to 14 mpg city and 18 to 20 highway from the day I bought my vehicle. How come this year Azera is not included in the lawsuit? How come I was never notified about a lawsuit?

  7. Top Class Actions says:

    UPDATE 1: A settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit alleging Hyundai Motor America and Hyundai Motor Company misrepresented the fuel economy of certain Hyundai vehicles. Consumers who purchased or leased certain Hyundai vehicles could be eligible for a cash payment or other benefits. Learn more at the Hyundai Fuel Economy Settlement.

    1. Joyce Carranza says:

      How about another Kia update? It’s been years; no settlements.

  8. Anita McClain says:

    I recently sold my 2011 kia rio and that was the main reason why I got something else was because of gas mileage. almost a year ago and I seen this on the news and states that the company would be getting back with us. I as of yet have not heard from anyone. So I was checking to make sure are seeing what are if I am eligible for the lawsuit too

  9. Bo Oliver says:

    The class action has NOT settled yet. The case is still at stage one of a two step process. Hyundai and Kia want the class action settlement to provide affected car owners with about $400 per car owner (an Inglewood Small claims court awarded similar 
damages to one plaintiff of $700 and Hyundai had agreed to pay it which is $300 more than they now propose), while Virginia owners of the Elantra want the full purchase price refunded (around $14,000 per vehicle depending on down payment) plus treble damages. Hyundai and some of its dealers have admitted in court documents (1) that they cannot tell dealers to provide warranty service to your vehicle and (2) that their dealers can refuse you warranty service. This contradicts the warranty where Hyundai
promises the dealer will service your vehicle. No wonder Virginia Hyundai owners want the full
purchase price refunded plus treble damages. It is sad that some of the California class action plaintiffs
fight against the full refund. Let’s hope the Judge either requires the settlement to include full purchase refund or allow the Virginia plaintiffs to separate from the class action and pursue their case to trial.
 Here is the latest update moving the hearing date again. This was published on the court Pacer public accessible website: “MINUTES OF PLAINTIFFS’ MOTION FOR CERTIFICATION OF SETTLEMENT CLASS 184 ; PLAINTIFFS’ MOTION FOR PRELIMINARY APPROVAL OF CLASS SETTLEMENT AND ORDER DIRECTING NOTICE TO THE CLASS 185 ; PLAINTIFFS’ IN GENTRY, ET AL. V. HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA’S MOTION FOR SUGGESTION OF REMAND AND ENFORCEMENT OF STIPULATION IN OPEN COURT 230 hearing held before Judge George H. Wu. The Court’s Tentative Ruling is circulated and attached hereto. Court hears oral argument. For reasons stated on the record, the above-entitled motions are continued to July 24, 2014 at 9:30 a.m. Plaintiffs will have until July 7, 2014 to file their supplemental briefs and revised notice and forms. Responses will be filed by July 16, 2014. Any reply will be filed by noon on July 21, 2014. Court Reporter: Katie Thibodeaux. (lom) (Entered: 06/27/2014)” . There is also a related Los Angeles bankruptcy case that names Hyundai Capital America dba Hyundai Motor Finance moving thru bankruptcy and the bankruptcy appellate panel.

  10. George says:

    I own a 2012 Soul and I have gotten 4 rebates so far and it is no problem in applying for the rebate. Just go to your KIA dealership and the service personnel can get the whole process done. I don’t know about this settlement that KIA and Hyundai agreed to pay much less the people who have a problem with the settlement. I guess some people think they should get an exhorbitant amount of money for a few less miles per gallon. I drive to work everyday and get between 28 to 32 miles per gallon depending on my speed which is mostly on I-40. The Soul is very economical to own and I have had mostly cosmetic discrepancies no mechanical issues.

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