Santa Clara, CA: Final approval has been granted to the settlement of a Hyundai defective automotive class action lawsuit. The suit alleged that the 2010-2012 Hyundai Santa Fe SUVs were prone to stalling frequently, without warning and at any speed, posing serious safety risk for drivers and other motorists.
The lead plaintiffs in the class-action, Julia Reniger and Greg Battaglia, claimed their SUVs kept stalling without warning, causing problems with trying to steer and stop the SUVs. They further claimed that Hyundai was aware of the issue but concealed it.
According to the terms of the settlement, Hyundai agrees to reimburse customers on a claims-made basis for out-of-pocket costs provided customers had a documentation supporting the claim that their SUV stalled. Further, the automaker will make a software update freely available for 10 years after the date the SUVs were sold as new, as well as providing a cash incentive on a claims-made basis to customers who wish to replace their Santa Fe SUVs.
The settlement also states that Hyundai will offer an enhanced rebate program that provides from $500 to $2,000 for customers who experienced two documented stall events. Customers who suffered one documented stall are eligible to receive between $250 and $1000 in rebates towards the purchase or lease of a new Hyundai vehicle, depending upon the specific new vehicle purchased or leased.
With respect to customer incentives, the settlement stipulates that any such ealer or customer incentives that otherwise would be available to customers at the time of the new vehicle purchase or lease will remain available notwithstanding availability of the rebate certificate or enhanced rebate certificate.
The Hyundai Santa Fe engine stall class-action lawsuit is Julia Reniger, Greg Battaglia, Oren Jaffe, Lucia Saitta and Ann Mancuso, et al, v. Hyundai Motor America and Hyundai Motor Company. U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
