Home > Settlements > Kia Motors America, Inc. agrees to pay over $6 million settlement in class action lawsuit.
Kia Motors America, Inc. agrees to pay over $6 million settlement in class action lawsuit.
June 12 2008
Following a five-week trial of a class action in the matter of Regina
Little v. Kia Motors America, Inc., on June 6, 2008, a jury in Union County, NJ found in favor of the plaintiff class and against Kia Motors America, Inc. ("KMA") in the amount of $750 per class member, for a total verdict in excess of $6,000,000. The precise number of class members has yet to be determined, but will number between 8,000-8,400.
The case involved the plaintiffs' claim that the Kia Sephia, sold in New Jersey from 1997 through 2000, contained a defect in the braking system which caused premature wear of brake pads and rotors, which needed replacement at approximately 10,000 mile intervals. Because Kia's warranty did not cover brake components, Kia owners spent substantial sums for additional brake repair expense caused by the defective braking system.
In addition to finding that KMA had breached its express and implied warranty to purchasers of the cars, the jury also found that KMA had violated the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which will obligate KMA to pay class counsel fees and costs over and above the $6,000,000 payment to class members. A petition for counsel fees and costs is expected to be filed shortly before the trial judge, the Honorable Katherine R. DuPuis of the Superior Court of New Jersey.
Plaintiff Regina Little, the class representative, and the more than 8,000 members of the class were represented by a team of lawyers including Alan M. Feldman and Edward S. Goldis of Feldman, Shepherd, Wohlgelernter, Tanner, Weinstock & Dodig (www.feldmanshepherd.com); Michael D. Donovan of Donovan Searles, LLC; James A. Francis of Francis & Mailman; and Nicole Acchione of Trujillo, Rodriguez & Richards, LLC. The same team of attorneys was also successful in winning a $5.6 million verdict against KMA in a similar class action tried in Pennsylvania in 2005.
Kia Motors America, Inc. in the News
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I am 19 years old and purchased my first brand new car, a 2017 Kia Forte with my own savings. No more putting all my money into old car repairs...so I thought!
On my 2nd oil change at the dealership I'm told that I have to replace the wiring to my gasline due to soy covered wiring that attracts rodents.
Come to find out, this is in many new car brands.
This is not covered on my factory warranty and cost me to file a claim with my insurance for close to $2,000. I have to take a hit on my insurance for filing a claim plus pay the $1000 deductable because at 19 my insurance is pretty high. I budgeted for my full coverage insurance and the car payment, yet would expect this to be covered. The part ordered is the same soy based rodent attractted part!
I reported this to Kia Corporate and they said...sorry not covered. I read online about Hondu Class Action Lawsuits and wanted to see if there is anything reported about Kia?
I understand going Green, yet feel the dealership, parts and insurance companies are profiting at my expense.
Posted by KENNETH MOORE AND DESHONDA WILLIAMS
on
MY FIANCE BOUGHT A 2015 KIA OPTIMA EARLIER THIS YEAR IN FEBUARY. CAR IS NOW BARELY OVER 50,000 MILES AND IT ALL OF A SUDDEN HAS ENGINE ISSUES.IN DOING SOME RESERACH, WE FOUND OUT THAT THERE WERE AT LEAST MORE THAN A COUPLE A HUNDRED THOUSAND COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER CUSTOMERS FROM OTHER STATES COMPLANNING ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. TOOK THE VEHIUCLE TO A KIA DEALERSHIP, AND THEY TOLD US THAT IT WOULD COST US $6600 INCLUDING LABOR COST, TO GET A NEW MOTOR. THE CAR WAS LOSING POWER,SHAKING ALOT AND SOMETIMES WOULD HESITATE TO SHIFT. I FEEL LIKE EVERYONE WHO IS HAVING THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE ABLE TO TAKE THEIR CARS BACK AND BE GIVEN THEIR MONEY, MAINLY BECAUSE WHY INVEST OUR MONEY IN SOMETHING AND THEY LIE TO YOU ABOUT THE VEHICLE. KIA NEEDS TO BE SUIED AND FRANKLY THEY SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO SELL ANOTHER OPTIMA UNTIL THEY FIX THE PROBLEM AT HAND. AS CUSTOMERS WE SHOULD BE TREATED FAIRLY BECAUSE IF WE ARE GOING TO SPEND OUR MONEY AT YOUR BUSINESS, YOU SHOULD AT LEAST MENTION IF THE CAR ISNT WORTH BUYING AND NOT JUST RIP PEOPLE OFF.
Posted by North Carolina
on
Applying minimally heavy pressure to brakes causes all control components to lock up - steering, brakes, transmission, making it impossible to avoid accidents. In fact, none of the safety features worked either, including air bags. In my case a wreck ensued. A young lady at Kia Corporate told us she also owns the same make and model, and the same thing happened to her, but sent her spinning in circles but did not end in an accident.
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