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Category: Hyundai Lemon Law

Auto News: Kia and Hyundai Spontaneous Engine Fires

Hyundai and Kia Lemons

Kia and Hyundai, two of the fastest growing auto manufacturers in North America, are under scrutiny as a result of defects with various popular Kia and Hyundai model vehicles that may result in non-collision fires. To date, thousands of Kia and Hyundai consumers have reported that their vehicles have spontaneously caught on fire without being involved in a crash.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating approximately three million vehicles after receiving thousands of consumer complaints about these spontaneous fires.

It is alleged that the cause of these non-collision fires stems from a design flaw 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.”

Earlier this month, the NHTSA opened an investigation after reviewing more than 3,000 reports of fires that ignited without any sort of collision involved. To date, NHTSA has tracked at least 3,125 complaints of fires reported by owners and the automakers, including at least 103 injuries and one death to date.

The affected vehicles are all powered by Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) Theta II engines that create severe driving hazards for owners. The common complaints among consumers whose vehicles have caught on fire include, but are not limited to fire, smoke, loss of power, stalling, knocking noise from the engine, hesitation, illumination of the check engine light, illumination of the engine oil pressure warning indicator, and the like.

If you own or lease a new or used Kia or Hyundai vehicle listed below and you have experienced any of these listed complaints, you should contact the Lemon Law Experts immediately for a case review.

Hyundai and Kia Spontaneous Engine Fire
The results of a recent spontaneous engine fire.

The vehicles that are presently known to be affected and at risk for spontaneous fires are:

  • 2011-2019 Kia Optima
  • 2011–2019 Kia Sorento
  • 2011-2019 Kia Sportage
  • 2014-2019 Hyundai Tucson
  • 2013-2019 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
  • 2011-2019 Hyundai Sonata

There are both Federal and State laws that protect the interests of consumers. California offers one of the nation’s most comprehensive Lemon Laws, the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, which covers vehicles purchased or leased in California with a warranty. The Song-Beverly Act recognizes warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular use for vehicles sold in California.

If you own or lease one of the vehicles listed above and you have repaired your vehicle for engine-related complaints, the Lemon Law Experts may be able help you find a solution. The Lemon Law Experts currently represent many Kia and Hyundai consumers who have reported engine-related complaints with their Kia and Hyundai GDI Theta II vehicles.  If you are concerned about your vehicle and your safety, call us today for a case review.  The Lemon Law Experts have an excellent team of star attorneys and an extensive support staff who are standing by to assist you.

If you own or lease a Kia Optima, Sorrento, Soul, Sportage, Hyundai Santa Fe, Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, Hyundai Sonata, and you are concerned about how the GDI Theta II engine defect might affect you, contact the Lemon Law Experts of Consumer Law Experts today. We provide individualized service and have represented thousands of consumers with their vehicle fraud and warranty claims. Protect your rights, investment, and safety with a consultation by calling the Lemon Law Experts today.

Over 500,000 Hyundai and Kia U.S. Vehicles Will Be Recalled for Defective Brake Systems

If you or someone you know owns or leases a 2013-2014 Hyundai Elantra or 2012-2014 Kia Forte, read on! Hyundai Lemon Logo

Hyundai Motor America and Kia Motors America are initiating a recall of more than 500,000 vehicles in the U.S. early next year.  The recall covers the 2013 and 2014 model years Hyundai Elantra and the 2012, 2013, and 2014 model years Kia Forte.

The affected vehicles have defective braking systems that result in the brake lights remaining on when not braking and/or the driver shifting out of park when the brakes are not engaged. The vehicles reportedly have a polymer stopper pad that can deteriorate and result in the brake lights remaining on when the brakes are not engaged.  This problem has also resulted in the driver being able to shift out of park without first pressing on the brakes.

Over the past several months numerous Hyundai and Kia consumers have reported these brake defect concerns with their Elantras and Fortes.  Luckily, there have been no reported cases of injuries or crashes as a result of these defects.

Braking system defects pose an extreme and substantial safety risk that requires immediate attention and repairs.  Braking system defects not only endanger the passengers in the vehicle, but also all other drivers and passengers on the road that come into close proximity with the defective vehicle.

When will this recall go into effect?

The recall for the Hyundai Elantra will begin January 30, 2018 and the recall for the Kia Forte will begin February 8, 2018.   Authorized manufacturer dealers will repair the affected vehicles free of charge.  You can conduct a search on the NHTSA website to check if your vehicle is part of the recall by clicking here.

The Lemon Law Experts are here to help!

The lemon law attorneys of the Lemon Law Experts represent various consumers with their lemon Hyundai Elantra and lemon Kia Forte vehicles that have been presented for repairs related to the braking system.  Our Hyundai lemon law clients and Kia lemon law clients report that they were able to move their vehicles out of park without first pressing on the brakes.  Our lemon law clients have also reported that their brake lights remained on when they were not pressing on the brakes.

Call our Lemon Law Experts today if you or someone you know has purchased or leased a Hyundai Elantra or Kia Forte that has been repaired for braking defects.  Our Lemon Law Experts are ready to provide you with a fast and free case evaluation.  Call us at 877-885-5366 today.

What Are the Odds Your Lemon Lands You in Court?

Selecting and buying a new vehicle is an ordeal in itself. Couple this with the uncertainty surrounding the vehicle’s performance, reliability and dependability, and the experience can quickly become downright debilitating. No one wants to end up with perpetual maintenance issues that turn their huge new purchase and financial commitment into a giant piece of scrap metal. As the Lemon Law Experts, we ran through the numbers and identified which vehicle manufacturers end up in court most frequently.

You can also view our infographic from the study here.

We’ve pulled every breach of warranty case filed in the United States between 2013 and 2016 and compared this data against 13 of the most popular vehicle brands in the United States. Although many cases are settled out of court, and therefore not included in the stats below, this will give you an overview of how likely you are to end up in extended litigation with the manufacturer of your new vehicle.

Select your vehicle manufacturer below to find out your chances of getting a lemon!

Audi   |   BMW   |   Fiat   |   Ford   |   Kia   |   Honda   |   Hyundai   |   Mazda   |   Mercedes-Benz   |   Nissan   |   Tesla   |   Toyota   |   Volkswagen

Ford Lemon Logo

Ford Models Reported as Lemons:

Total # of vehicles sold 2013 – 2016: 9,769,725
Total # of breach of warranty cases 2013 – 2016: 2,773
Total sales per warranty case 2013 – 2016: 3,523

Fun fact: This is roughly the same probability that your baby will be born with a tooth (.033%).

 Volkswagen Lemon Logo

Volkswagen Models Reported as Lemons:

Total # of vehicles sold 2013 – 2016: 1,447,062
Total # of breach of warranty cases 2013 – 2016: 583
Total sales per warranty case 2013 – 2016: 2,482

Fun fact: You are 4 times more likely to get injured by a toilet.

BMW Lemon Logo

Most Common Models Reported as Lemons:

  • 335i
  • 135i
  • 535i
  • X6 xDrive35i Sports Activity Coupes
  • Z4 roadsters
  • and more

Total # of vehicles sold 2013 – 2016: 1,308,197
Total # of breach of warranty cases 2013 – 2016: 647
Total sales per warranty case 2013 – 2016: 2,021

Fun fact: You are 10 times more likely to date a millionaire.

Audi Lemon Logo

Most Common Models Reported as Lemons:

Total # of vehicles sold 2013 – 2016: 752,496
Total # of breach of warranty cases 2013 – 2016: 59
Total sales per warranty case 2013 – 2016: 12,754

Fun fact: You have a similar chance of finding a pearl in an oyster (.0083%).

Mercedes-Benz Lemon Logo

Mercedes-Benz Models Reported as Lemons:

Total # of vehicles sold 2013 – 2016: 1,435,582
Total # of breach of warranty cases 2013 – 2016: 297
Total sales per warranty case 2013 – 2016: 4,833

Fun fact: You have the same odds as hitting a hole-in-one in golf.

Nissan Lemon Logo

Nissan Models Reported as Lemons:

Total # of vehicles sold 2013 – 2016: 5,179, 080
Total # of breach of warranty cases 2013 – 2016: 473
Total sales per warranty case 2013 – 2016: 10,949

Fun fact: 60 times more likely than getting dealt a royal flush in your poker game.

Kia Lemon Logo

Kia Models Reported as Lemons:

Total # of vehicles sold 2013 – 2016: 2,388,839
Total # of breach of warranty cases 2013 – 2016: 158
Total sales per warranty case 2013 – 2016: 15,119

Fun fact: You’re 3 times as likely to catch a foul ball during a baseball game.

Tesla Lemon Logo

Total # of vehicles sold 2013 – 2016: 88,378
Total # of breach of warranty cases 2013 – 2016: 3
Total sales per warranty case 2013 – 2016: 29,459

Fun fact: You are 30 times more likely to get audited by the IRS.

Toyota Lemon Logo

Toyota Models Reported as Lemons:

Total # of vehicles sold 2013 – 2016: 8,103,166
Total # of breach of warranty cases 2013 – 2016: 133
Total sales per warranty case 2013 – 2016: 60,926

Fun fact: You are more likely to be struck by lightning during your lifetime (.0083%)

Mazda Models Reported as Lemons:

Total # of vehicles sold 2013 – 2016: 1,206,704
Total # of breach of warranty cases 2013 – 2016: 33
Total sales per warranty case 2013 – 2016: 36,566

Fun fact: You are 100 times more likely to be born with 11 fingers or toes.

Fiat Lemon Logo

Fiat- Chrysler Models Reported as Lemons:

Total # of vehicles sold 2013 – 2016: 164, 509
Total # of breach of warranty cases 2013 – 2016: 8
Total sales per warranty case 2013 – 2016: 20,563

Fun fact: You are roughly 250 times more likely to make it to the NBA as a college basketball player. 

Honda Lemon Logo

Honda Models Reported as Lemons:

Total # of vehicles sold 2013 – 2016: 5,618,173
Total # of breach of warranty cases 2013 – 2016: 225
Total sales per warranty case 2013 – 2016: 24,969

Fun fact: You are 4 times more likely to get a lemon with a Honda than date a supermodel.

Hyundai Lemon Logo

Hyundai Models Reported as Lemons:

  • Accent
  • Elantra
  • Ezera
  • Entourage
  • and more

Total # of vehicles sold 2013 – 2016: 2,976,268
Total # of breach of warranty cases 2013 – 2016: 200
Total sales per warranty case 2013 – 2016: 14,881

Fun fact: You have a similar chance of getting injured by fireworks.

Data Limitations:
*Date range: 2013 – 2016
*Data sources: Lexis Advance, Automotive News
*Cases only reflect those that were filed electronically.
*Number of cars sold reflects US sales only.

Sources:
http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/odds.shtml
http://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/research/mens-basketball
http://www.reviewjournal.com/business/money/20-things-more-likely-happen-you-winning-lottery
http://moneyminiblog.com/interesting/things-more-likely-happen-winning-lottery/

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