If you bought or leased a 2011-2019 model year Kia Optima, a 2012-2019 Kia Sorento, or a 2011-2019 Kia Sportage equipped with a 2.0L or 2.4L Gasoline Direct Injection Engine, You May Be Entitled to Benefits from the Kia Engine Class Action Settlement.
Kia Motors Corporation (“KMC”) and Kia Motors America, Inc.’s (“KMA”) (collectively, “Kia”) and others have reportedly agreed to a class action settlement of a lawsuit filed against them in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, styled In re: Hyundai and Kia Engine Litigation, Class Action Case No. 8:17‑cv‑00838‑JLS‑JDE and Flaherty v. Hyundai Motor Company, et al., Class Action Case No. 18‑cv‑02223 (C.D. Cal.), alleging, among other things, that 2011–2018 and certain 2019 Kia Optima, 2012–2018 and certain 2019 Kia Sorento, and 2011–2018 and certain 2019 Kia Sportage vehicles suffer from a defect that can cause engine seizure, stalling, engine failure, and engine fire, that engine seizure or stalling can be dangerous if experienced, and that some owners and lessees have been improperly denied repairs under the vehicle’s warranty. Kia reportedly denies these allegations.
Who Is Included In The Kia Engine Class Action Settlement?
The Kia Engine class action settlement reportedly includes, unless otherwise excluded, the following settlement class:
All owners and lessees of a Class Vehicle who purchased or leased the Class Vehicle in the United States, including those that were purchased while the owner was abroad on active U.S. military duty, but excluding those purchased in the U.S. territories and/or abroad.
Eligible vehicles in the Kia class action lawsuit settlement reportedly may include the following vehicles equipped with 2.0 liter and 2.4 liter genuine Theta II gasoline direct injection engines within OEM specifications:
- Kia Optima (model years 2011–2019)
- Kia Sorento (model years 2012–2019)
- Kia Sportage (model years 2011–2019
What Settlement Benefits Does The Kia Class Action Lawsuit Settlement Provide?
The Kia class action lawsuit settlement reportedly provides that Kia will provide monetary and other benefits for certain engine related repairs. For instance, the Kia Settlement extends the Powertrain Warranty to a Lifetime Warranty for the engine short block assembly, upon completion of the Knock Sensor Detection System Update.
The Kia class action settlement also provides a free recall inspection for any recalled vehicles not yet inspected, regardless of current mileage or prior repairs, and rental car reimbursement or loaner vehicles for any vehicles that undergo engine replacement.
In addition, the Kia lawsuit settlement reportedly provides cash reimbursements for qualifying past out‑of‑pocket repairs and repair‑related expenses, like rental cars and towing, and cash reimbursements for certain trade‑ins and sales of unrepaired vehicles. The Kia Settlement further provides compensation for inconvenience due to repair delays while the vehicle was serviced by Kia dealers.
Finally, the Kia Engine class action settlement provides compensation for vehicles lost due to certain engine fires, and in certain instances, provides a cash rebate if a settlement class member lost faith in the vehicle after experiencing engine troubles related to the defect and the class member purchased another Kia vehicle within a specified timeframe.
To be eligible for the settlement benefits (other than the powertrain warranty extension), settlement class members must submit claims by the claims deadlines:
| Type of Claim | Deadline To File A Claim |
| Lifetime Warranty (upon completion of KSDS) | No claim form required |
Reimbursement for Past Repairs | August 9, 2021. |
Reimbursement for rental car/towing/other costs | August 9, 2021, or within 90 days of the date the expense is incurred or within 90 days of the date the expense is paid, whichever is later. |
Compensation for inconvenience due to repair delays | August 9, 2021, or within 90 days of the date the repair is completed, whichever is later. |
Loss of Value for Sold or Traded-In Vehicles | August 9, 2021. |
Loss of Vehicle by Engine Fire | If engine compartment fire occurred before August 28, 2020, August 9, 2021. If engine compartment fire occurred after August 28, 2020, no later than 90 days after fire occurred. |
| Rebate Program For Lost Faith of Vehicle | If engine failure or fire occurred before August 28, 2020, August 9, 2021. If engine failure or fire occurred after August 28, 2020, no later than 90 days after engine failure or fire occurred. |
Kia settlement claim forms can be submitted online or by downloading a copy of the paper Claim Form and emailing it or mailing it to the Claims Administrator by the claims deadline.
Where Can You Obtain More Information About The Kia Engine Class Action Settlement?
For more information about the Kia Engine class action settlement, write to Kia Claims Administrator c/o Epiq P.O. Box 3145, Portland, OR 97208‑3145, call 1-855-951-0807, email info@kiaenginesettlement.com or visit the Kia class action settlement website at https://www.kiaenginesettlement.com/