On April 3, 2024, FeganScott filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of Hyundai and Kia vehicle owners and lessees, claiming the automobile manufacturers sold thousands of hybrid-electric vehicles containing a defect that poses serious safety risks to drivers and passengers.
The lawsuit revolves around a defect in the engine clutch actuator (ECA), sometimes called the hydraulic clutch actuator. The vehicles named in the suit include 2017-2022 Kia Niro Hybrid, 2018-2022 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid, and 2017-2022 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid vehicles.
According to the complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, the defect allows fluid to leak into the engine clutch actuator, which can cause the car to stall and, in some reported instances, start a vehicle fire.
In July 2023, Kia issued a safety recall for certain Niro Hybrid vehicles due to the alleged ECA defect. However, the lawsuit states that the recall failed to fix the root cause of the defect, and that it does not prevent the risk of stalled vehicles. The suit also notes that Hyundai installed the same ECA component in its Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid vehicles and has not issued a safety recall.
“Hyundai and Kia have a long history of failing to issue timely and complete fixes for known defects in their vehicles, and this latest defect with the engine clutch actuator in certain hybrid-electric models is no different,” said FeganScott attorney Jonathan Lindenfeld. “Our firm has devoted significant time and resources to ensure that the largest automobile manufacturers in the world live up to their responsibilities. Consumers who spend tens of thousands of dollars for their vehicles deserve products that are safe and reliable.”
Drivers of the affected vehicles are encouraged to send their contact information to autosafety@feganscott.com to learn more about their rights.
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Case Update:
On April 11, 2025, Judge Dolly Gee of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California largely upheld Plaintiffs’ claims in a class-action lawsuit against Hyundai and Kia alleging the companies sold thousands of hybrid-electric vehicles containing a defect that poses serious safety risks to drivers and passengers.
In the 27-page order, Judge Gee denied Defendants’ motions to dismiss Plaintiffs’ claims for violations of consumer protection statutes under Massachusetts and Georgia law, as well as claims for breaches of warranties and for strict products liability. In addition, Judge Gee denied Hyundai’s effort to force one of the plaintiffs to arbitrate her claims without the ability to pursue relief for other consumers in a class action.
“Plaintiffs are pleased with the Court’s decision, which will allow us to vigorously pursue relief for thousands of Hyundai and Kia drivers,” said Jonathan Lindenfeld, Of Counsel at Fegan Scott. “The Class Vehicles were marketed as state-of-the-art hybrid vehicles, but we intend to show that Hyundai and Kia knew that the vehicles contained a dangerous defect that could erupt at any moment.”