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Kia Fuel Economy Class Action Lawsuit Print Email
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Friday, 07 December 2012 06:00
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Kia Fuel Economy Class Action Lawsuit

By Mike Holter

 

Kia fuel economyKia Motors America Inc. has been hit with a class action lawsuit alleging the Korean automaker defrauded consumers by overstating the fuel efficiency of five of its top models.

Lead plaintiff Richard Woodruff alleges in the Kia class action lawsuit that the Kia Optima HEV, Rio, Sorento, Soul and Sportage experienced a surge in sales for their 2011 to 2013 models based on an “extensive and misleading” marketing campaign that promoted them as achieving class-leading gas mileage.

However, on November 2 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revealed that Kia and its affiliate Hyundai Motor America had exaggerated car fuel economy estimates, and that most models actually received 1 to 2 miles per gallon less than advertised. The biggest discrepancy was with the Kia Soul, which actually received 6 mpg less than advertised. The debacle has been dubbed “MPG Gate” by the media.

"[Kia] inflated the results of mileage testing the company reported to the EPA and advertised that the affected vehicles achieved better fuel efficiency than actually achieved," the Kia mpg class action lawsuit states. "This message was false and defendant failed to comply with EPA regulations which would have given consumers accurate information about the vehicles' fuel efficiency."

Hyundai has already been hit with a class action lawsuit over the fuel economy discrepancies, and a joint class action lawsuit was filed against Hyundai and Kia in November. Both companies have established a reimbursement program for current and former vehicle owners to cover the additional fuel costs that were incurred based on miles driven, plus an additional 15 percent of the reimbursement amount.

Hyundai and Kia customers with questions about the mileage reimbursement program can find answers at www.hyundaimpginfo.com and www.kiampginfo.com.

The Kia fuel economy class action lawsuit is brought on behalf of a proposed nationwide class of consumers that purchased a 2011-2012 Optima HEV, 2012-2013 Rio, 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2013 Soul (including the Eco) and the 2012-2013 Sportage. It is seeking restitution, disgorgement of profits, and damages for violation of California's business code and false advertising law, fraud, negligent misrepresentation and deceit.

The Kia Fuel Economy Class Action Lawsuit case is Woodruff v. Kia Motors America Inc., Case No. 12-cv-06155, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The plaintiff is represented by Deborah R. Rosenthal of Simmons Browder Gianaris Angelides & Barnerd LLC.

 

 

Updated December 7th, 2012

 

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Last Updated on Thursday, 27 December 2012 11:09

Comments   

 
#30 scutter 2013-05-14 16:43
Cannot understand why the 2011 Kia Soul is not included. We own 2 of these and both get at least 5 mpg less than the sticker indicated
 
 
#29 Dawn 2013-05-09 22:29
I have a manuel 2012 Soul. Sticker advised 32 to 42 mpg with 35 mpg average. I usually get 33 to 35 mpg. On one long trip recently I got 41 mpg. I LOVE my manuel Kia Soul and I have received my first reimbursement and just signed up for a 2nd. First car I ever owned which paid me to drive it. I think it is wonderful Kia made this offer. The ONLY people who will make out on class action lawsuit are the f_ _king lawyers. Don't be so greedy people. Be happy you are getting a reimbursement if you signed up for it. A friend of mine just went thru a lemon law suit on a Dodge Charger. They won the suit. They got a lousy $2000.00. and still have to keep the car and the payments. The freaking lawyer got $2,500.00. Imagine that, the lawyer got more than the plantiff and the plantiff still has to keep the car and all future repairs (which don't stay "repaired"!)
Good luck everyone (except the f_ _king lawyers). No need to sign me up; I LOVE my Soul and I LOVE my mpg reimbursements!
 
 
#28 Garyn Hiscott 2013-04-16 12:32
I have been looking for month's now trying to get on the suit, but not making any progress. I am in fear that I wont be able to jump on this due to the Service Writer at the dealer saying he couldn't submit my warranty claim until I filled out everything with the MPG Reimbursment. Something doesn't sound right about that....?
 
 
#27 Joe 2013-04-08 13:44
I recently purchased a 2012 Kia Soul from a private owner. Expecting great gas mileage from it. How suprised was I when I saw this information about my new vehicle.
 
 
#26 Eileen 2013-04-02 14:32
I want to be included, I purchased this Sorento mainly for the gas milage. I average 20.5 miles per gallon in both city and highway. That means that I am getting 15 - 25 instead of the 22-32 that they stated. That is an average of 7 miles less each way or 1/3 less than I should be getting. I should get 1/2 my gas money back as I am only getting 2/3rds of the milage stated. They adjusted their figures by 1 mile., but that is still way off. I have written down every time I got gas, how many gallons and how many miles. I have receipts for all but 3 fill ups in the past year. Also the milage calculator in the car also is off it always says between 1 and 2 miles more per gallon than I am getting. You should all write it down and calculate. We should go after them for the calculator being off also. I am tired of trying to fight with them over this. I wanted them to buy my car back, but got no where. I hope you can help settle this and make them do the right thing. I will never buy from them again. I will continue to hold onto my reciepts, let me know if I can help build this case. Thank you.
 
 
#25 Jennifer Hart 2013-03-26 08:19
I would like the same as the information requested above. I was elgibile for the " Kia Reimbursement Program." please email me with additional information @
 
 
#24 Eileen 2013-03-21 18:57
Bought the Kia Sorento after 3 months of comparing others out there. The main reason we decided on the Kia was the gas millage. I have kept track from the first fill up and after 1 year, I average 20mpg. That would be 15 city, and 25 highway. On the sticker it said 22 mpg-32 mpg. I want them to buy my car back. I talked to the manufacturer and they will not do anything. They said they changed the milage to 21 now ( that is still false), and the counter in the car is also wrong. It always reads higher than what I really get.
 
 
#23 Ken 2013-03-14 12:42
I have a 2013 Soul and received the first reimbursement. I try to get information on the next one and was told I had to wait 3 months. I then contacted them again and was told the second phase will be implemented in the next 24 hours. That was on 2/17 I'm still being told they have not implemented the second phase. Makes you wonder if this is how they resolve this issue how will they stand behind there product for the warranty?
 
 
#22 Lynn Davino 2013-03-11 15:09
I want to sign up for the Kia Lawsuit.
I purchased a 2013 Kia Soul and the sales man told me the 42mpg on the sticker was the low end depending on conditions I could get as much as 46. I am not coming anywhere close to this...I trusted the dealership and feel like they took advantage of me ... How do I get involved in a class action suit against them...I am a disabled veterans widow who will never be able to afford to buy another car and I feel I should recieve compensation for being lied to...and not being able to make the best decision for an economical car I will have the rest of my life...I also purchased a warranty that covers my car bumper to bumper like the original 3 yr for the entire 10 yrs ...I hope that was not a rip off too...I still have not received any paper work or warranty info yet and it has been 6 months since I purchased my car. Please email me the info for signing up for the lawsuit or call me at 407-600-8823. Thanks
 
 
#21 Charles Gulotta 2013-03-01 08:13
We bought our 2011 Forte specifically because of the fuel economy claims. However, the gas mileage we were getting wasn't even close -- highway or city. I talked to our salesman several times and he told us the car needed "breaking in." We're now over 30,000 km and it's never improved. Kia hasn't answered my emails and calling them on the phone is just as frustrating. We feel cheated. We'd want to be part of a lawsuit, too, but doubt it will go anywhere. They've lost a good customer. This is our third Kia, and our last.
 
 
#20 Ron Rawlinson 2013-03-01 06:02
I have a 2010 Kia Soul!
Sticker stated 31mpg hiway... best I ever get is 27mpg. How about including 2010's in the lawsuit?
 
 
#19 Marie 2013-02-26 15:52
My 2011 Kia Forte is getting 6 to 7 miles below the mpg. Why is it not on the list. I was told to wait 5,000 miles to break the car before I would get the true mileage then I was told to wait 10,000. Will I'm at the 10,000 miles and I am still getting 6 to 7 miles below the mpg. Sign me up.
 
 
#18 William Banton 2013-02-21 11:30
I have a 2013 Kia Sorento. I only get 9 to 15 mpg. in the city, and 19 to 23 mpg. on the highway with ECO on.
 
 
#17 Dale Langston 2013-02-19 14:41
My fiancee and I own a 2010 Forte Koup. Why is this model not covered in the class action? The Koup does not receive anywhere near the advertised mileage.
 
 
#16 Johnny 2013-02-11 15:49
Why is the 2011 Kia Soul not included? It does not get the milage it showed on the sticker,it averages about 5 to 6 miles MPG below that .
 
 
#15 Lennette 2013-02-11 10:42
I'd like to know EXACTLY how they are calculating the rebate/refund amount I never get more than 23MPG on my Soul and the MPG estimator on the website said I would get $76. that in no way compensates me for the lost mileage per tank of gas or over the years period that they would pay for. They need to learn basic math. I'm so freakin' angry and I'll never be able to recover the value of the car.
 
 
#14 Barbara Underwood 2013-02-09 10:05
I do not get the mileage I should.
Please sign me up.
 
 
#13 Randy 2013-02-09 05:56
Just bought a Forte 2013 and it does not get the gas mileage stated either. We were told that it could get 40 mpg, not even close !
 
 
#12 ken 2013-02-03 14:19
I drive 35,000 38,000 mile a yr. the only reason i bought the car was for the mileage. sticker said 35 miles PG.
I am lucky to get 29. I do all highway miles.
 
 
#11 Sherry Boothe 2013-01-28 09:52
I know these cars are not listed but I bought 2 KIA Forte's & they do not get the gas mileage they were supposed to get either. Any claims against this model of KIA?
 
 
#10 JanieReedy 2013-01-25 14:55
I'm getting about 18 to 20 in town and only about 22 or 23 on the highway. I traded my Nissan Murano to save gas. Should have kept the Murano. I now have a 2011 Kia Sorento
 
 
#9 Antonio 2013-01-25 09:09
I have a 2012 Soul eco and it is only getting 24-27mpg. I called Kia and they told me it was the way I was driving it and go to a website to see how to save fuel mileage. I checked Kelly blue book and it has already depreciated $5000 in 6 months. The only reason I bought this ugly car was for the fuel mileage. How do I get in on the lawsuit?
 
 
#8 April 2013-01-25 08:24
We have a 2009 KIA Sorento we get 15 to 16 MPG. The dealer stated it would get 23 to 28 MPG and when we called them a week later they told us we were adding it up wrong. We hate it and tell everyone it was the biggest mistake of our life!!!!
 
 
#7 rose chervenak 2013-01-21 16:41
my 2013 rio is terrible! is all people who bought the kias in on the class action suit or do we need to do separate
 
 
#6 Ralph Ledger 2013-01-10 06:35
Is the mileage reimbursement transferrable to the next owner? I have a 2012 Soul which we bought new predicated on the mileage statement. It gets at least 6 MPG less. This would drastically reduce resale value.

What about HP and torque claims? This is disturbing.
 
 
#5 Philip Hoffmann 2013-01-08 11:42
Bought Kia Sorento and is averaging 20mi a gal on a 4 cyl
 
 
#4 Philip Hoffmann 2013-01-08 11:40
Purchased 2012 Kia Sorento and called directly to Kia motors and they said it was the way we drove the car .5 different people drove this and we all got under 20mpg on a 4 cylinder.
 
 
#3 rose 2012-12-10 20:02
I live in Ohio and bought 2013 Rio and only averaging 19mpg in city. Does all buyers of the kias qualify for this lawsuit or do we need to seek counsel in ohio
 
 
#2 Eddie Podgurski 2012-12-10 17:55
I want in. 2012 KIA Sorento bought in Massachusetts last year. Traded in my Dodge Ram for freakin gas milage cuz I moved. They suck. I want in.
 
 
#1 Deryl Ray 2012-12-07 12:14
Please sign me up for the KIA Lawsuit...... 4 17-861-4185
 

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