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Hyundai Fire Lawsuit

Hyundai Fire Lawsuit

Hyundai has been plagued by reports of engine fires that have led to recalls for over 1 million vehicles.

What You Can Do & How We Can Help

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Hyundai induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been injured or burned in a Hyundai fire or car accident, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Automotive & Crashworthiness Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

UPDATE: Hyundai Recalls 390,000 Vehicles for 2 Fire Hazards

In May 2021, Hyundai recalled over 390,000 vehicles in the U.S. and Canada to repair 2 defects that can cause engine fires.

One recall involves 203,000 Santa Fe Sport SUVs (2013-2015 model years) due to leaking brake fluid that can spark a fire in the engine compartment. Back in September 2020, Hyundai previously recalled Santa Fe Sport SUVs (2015-2017 model years) for the same problem. At least 18 fires were reported.

Hyundai also recalled around 187,000 other vehicles, including the Hyundai Elantra (2019-2020 model years), Hyundai Kona EVs (2019-2021 model years), and Hyundai Veloster (2019-2021 model years). There is a problem with the piston rings that can cause engine damage, oil leaks, and engine fires. At least 5 fires were linked to the piston defect.

Officials Investigate Another Hyundai Kona EV Fire After Recall

In January 2021, yet another Hyundai Kona EV caught on fire in South Korea when it was parked and connected to a fast-charging station. It is the first Kona fire to occur after Hyundai recalled the vehicles worldwide in October 2020. The vehicle had received a software update after the recall, but no battery replacement. South Korean officials are investigating if the recall actually fixed the problem. Back in October, Hyundai blamed the fires on a short-circuit in the battery, and said it suspected “defective production of high-voltage batteries.”

Hyundai Adds 471,000 Tucson SUVs to Fire Recalls

In January 2021, Hyundai warned owners of 471,000 Tucson SUVs to park outside and away from structures because the vehicle can catch on fire, even if the engine is turned off.

The original recall only involved around 180,000 Tucson SUVs from the 2019, 2020, and 2021 model-years. It was issued in response to dozens of reports of fires in the engine compartment.

After more fires were reported, Hyundai expanded the recall to include another 471,000 Tucson SUVs from the 2016, 2017 and 2018 model-years, as well as more vehicles from the 2020 and 2021 model-years.

Hyundai Recalls Kona Electric Vehicles After 13 Fires Reported

In October 2020, Hyundai recalled over 11,000 of the 2019-2020 Kona Electric Vehicles in the U.S. and Canada after 13 battery fires were reported worldwide. The fires occurred when the vehicles were parked and the lithium-ion batteries were fully charged.

Hyundai is asking owners to park outside and away from structures until the defect is fixed. Hyundai has not determined what is causing the fires, but suspects “defective production of high-voltage batteries” and said they are “continuing to actively investigate this condition for identification of an exact root cause.

Hyundai Asks Owners to Park Recalled Vehicles Outside Due to Fire Hazard

In September 2020, Hyundai asked owners of more than 203,000 vehicles to park their cars outside due to a fire hazard. The recalls cover the 2013-2015 Hyundai Santa Fe SUVs.

Hyundai recalled the 2013-2015 Santa Fe SUVs because brake fluid can leak in a hydraulic control unit for the anti-lock brakes, which could cause an electrical short-circuit and spark a fire — even when the car is parked and turned off.

Hyundai said it had 15 reports of engine fires that were caused by the brake fluid leaks, while Kia reported 8 engine fires due to the problem.

Hyundai & Kia Pay $758 Million Class Action Lawsuit Settlement

In October 2019, Hyundai and Kia paid $758 million in settlements to end several class action lawsuits involving engine fires.

Hyundai Fire Lawsuit Settlements

The settlements cover 4.2 million owners of vehicles with the Theta II gasoline direct injection (or “GDI engine”) which is linked to fires when the car is parked, engine failures, and sudden stalling while driving.

The engine problems are also linked to two recalls in 2015 and 2017 for 1.2 million vehicles with 2.0-liter and 2.4-liter four-cylinder GDI engines.

The lawsuit settlements cover the following vehicles:

  • 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV
  • 2013-2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport SUV
  • 2011-2019 Hyundai Sonata
  • 2014, 2015, 2018 and 2019 Hyundai Tucson SUV

Hyundai Elantra Recalled for Fire Hazard

In February 2020, Hyundai recalled 430,000 Elantra vehicles (2006-2011) and Elantra Touring vehicles (2007-2011) due to a very similar defect. Hyundai warned that brake fluid could leak and spark an engine fire, even when the vehicles were parked and turned off.

Hyundai Under Investigation After Numerous Car Fires & Injuries Reported

In April 2019, U.S. safety officials began investigating Hyundai and Kia after at least 3,100 fires and 103 injuries were reported.

The investigations involve non-crash engine fires in 3 million vehicles:

Do I have a Hyundai Fire Lawsuit?

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Hyundai induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been injured or burned in a Hyundai fire or car accident, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Automotive & Crashworthiness Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

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