Written By: Jessica Anvar Stotz
Legally Reviewed By: Jessica Anvar Stotz
If you own or lease a Kia Telluride or Hyundai Palisade, you may be aware of the persistent headlight issues affecting these vehicles.
These problems have led to a new class action lawsuit, raising concern among drivers. This guide will outline the lawsuit and help you determine if you might be eligible to file a claim.
The California class action lawsuit alleges that the headlights in 2020 and newer Kia Telluride models and 2021 and newer Hyundai Palisade models are defective.
The plaintiff argues that headlights are prone to moisture and condensation, which can result in reduced illumination or complete failure.
Drivers have reported that their headlights function intermittently, produce poor light, or cease to work altogether.
According to the lawsuit, the manufacturers have been aware of these problems but have not provided a lasting solution. Instead, they have often replaced defective headlights with similarly faulty ones.
If the class action is successful, it could lead to compensation for repair and replacement costs and potentially prompt a recall to address the defect.
If you have experienced headlight issues with your Kia Telluride or Hyundai Palisade, you may be eligible to join the lawsuit and seek compensation.
What’s Wrong with the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade Headlights?
The primary issue with the headlights on the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade is their susceptibility to moisture and condensation buildup. This can result in several problems:
- Poor Illumination: The headlights may fail to provide sufficient lighting, making it difficult to see the road clearly at night or in adverse weather conditions.
- Intermittent Functioning: Some drivers have reported that their headlights operate sporadically, turning on and off unexpectedly.
- Complete Failure: In severe cases, the headlights may stop working entirely, creating a significant safety hazard.
- Repeated Issues: Even after repairs or replacements, the problem often recurs, as the new headlights may also be defective.
These persistent issues have contributed to the class action lawsuit, as many owners believe the automakers have not effectively resolved the problem.
Which Vehicles Experience Headlight Problems?
Headlight problems have been reported in the following vehicles:
- Kia Telluride: Models from 2020 to 2024.
- Hyundai Palisade: Models from 2021 to 2024.
Owners of these models have experienced issues such as moisture and condensation accumulation, diminished illumination, intermittent functionality, and complete headlight failure.
If you own or lease one of these vehicles and have faced these problems, you may be eligible to join the class action lawsuit.
Is there a Kia Headlight Recall?
Yes, there is a recall for Kia headlights, but it specifically applies to 2020 model year Tellurides only. This recall addresses problems with the high-beam headlight shield gear mechanism, which can be damaged by the heat from halogen bulbs.
Kia dealers will inspect the headlamps and replace them with components designed to resist heat damage if necessary.
If you own a 2020 Kia, we recommend verifying whether your vehicle is affected and scheduling a service appointment if needed. For more information, you can refer to the official recall document.
Is there a Hyundai Headlight Recall?
There is currently no recall for Hyundai headlights. However, there is a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) for specific Hyundai models.
For instance, certain 2019-2020 Hyundai Elantra vehicles have a TSB addressing issues with the high beam function of the headlights. This bulletin outlines a repair procedure for headlamps that may have an inoperative high beam function.
Should I Join the Kia and Hyundai Headlight Lawsuit?
Participating in the Kia and Hyundai headlight lawsuit can offer several potential benefits, even if you haven’t yet experienced significant issues with your vehicle’s headlights.
One advantage is the possibility of receiving compensation for repair costs should you encounter headlight problems in the future. Being part of the lawsuit could entitle you to financial reimbursement for these repairs.
Successful class action lawsuits often result in recalls, which may compel the automaker to address the defect at no expense to you.
Another benefit of joining the lawsuit is the potential for extended warranty coverage on your vehicle’s headlights.
This could provide added reassurance in case you face any issues down the road. Furthermore, if the lawsuit leads to a recall and subsequent repair, it could enhance the resale value of your vehicle by resolving known issues.
Participating in the lawsuit can ultimately help hold manufacturers accountable for defects. This collective action can lead to improved quality control and customer service in the future, benefiting all vehicle owners.
Should I File a Lemon Law Claim?
Filing a lemon law claim can be a prudent step if your Kia Telluride or Hyundai Palisade has ongoing issues that significantly impact its usability, value, or safety. Consider the following factors when deciding whether to pursue a claim:
If your vehicle has required multiple repairs for the same issue and the problem remains unresolved, it may qualify as a lemon.
Persistent problems that cannot be fixed after several attempts can be a key indicator that your vehicle is covered under lemon law protections.
If the defect in your Kia Telluride or Hyundai Palisade poses a safety risk, you should address it as soon as possible. Lemon Laws are specifically designed to protect consumers from vehicles that compromise safety.
The financial impact of the defect is another consideration. If the issue affects the vehicle’s value or results in significant repair costs, filing a lemon law claim could help you recover those expenses.
Many lemon law attorneys offer free consultations and work on a contingency basis, meaning they only get paid if you win your case. This arrangement can make it easier to seek legal assistance without upfront costs.
If you believe your Kia Telluride or Hyundai Palisade may be a lemon, you may be eligible for cash compensation or a refund under your state’s Lemon Law.
Affected Vehicle | Average Lemon Law Settlement |
Kia Telluride | $70,369 |
Hyundai Palisade | $72,957 |
*Please note, the figures presented in the chart are approximations based on results from previous cases and should not be interpreted as a prediction or guarantee. Each case is unique and requires personalized legal guidance.
Questions? Reach Out to the Lemon Law Experts!
If you’re dealing with persistent headlight issues in your Kia Telluride or Hyundai Palisade and haven’t found a resolution through your dealership or the manufacturer, it may be time to seek legal assistance.
A knowledgeable lemon law attorney can help you pursue compensation, a vehicle replacement, or a refund for expenses related to the defective headlights.
For those who have purchased or leased a vehicle with these ongoing headlight problems, the Lemon Law Experts are here to guide you through your options.
Since 2009, our team has a proven track record of successfully handling lemon law cases involving various car manufacturers, including Kia and Hyundai.
Reach out to the Lemon Law Experts to explore your options and get the support you need in your lemon law claim today.
Citations
“Part 573 Safety Recall Report 24V-148.” National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, March 2024, https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2024/RCLRPT-24V148-8879.PDF.
“Hyundai and Kia Headlight Issue Class Action Lawsuits.” org, https://www.classaction.org/palisade-telluride-headlight-issue-lawsuits.
“Technical Service Bulletin – TSB 21-01-004H.” National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, January 2021, https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2021/MC-10188245-0001.pdf.
“Dim Hyundai and Kia Headlights Lead to Class Action Lawsuit.” com, https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2024/dim-hyundai-and-kia-headlights-class-action-lawsuit.shtml.
“Hyundai Class Action Claims Palisade, Telluride Vehicles Contain Headlight Defect.” Top Class Actions, https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/lawsuit-news/hyundai-class-action-lawsuit-and-settlement-news/hyundai-class-action-claims-palisade-telluride-vehicles-contain-headlight-defect/.