The EPA has concluded that Hyundai and Kia violated federal law when they misrepresented the fuel economy of certain models of their vehicles. The results of their investigation revealed that the two-car companies had violated the Fair Advertising Practices Act and the California Consumer Legal Remedies Act by making misleading and/or false statements about fuel efficiency. In July 2014, the EPA upheld a settlement that Kia and Hyundai reached in December 2013, and the EPA and Consumer Watchdog announced that they would take the case to court.
The settlement deals with claims that the automaker inflated the MPG rating of certain models, including the Sorento and Soul.
It does not settle the issue, however, and is still being investigated by the consumer attorneys at McCune Wright Arevalo, LLP. The class action is expected to last up to six years. If the EPA is forced to dismiss the suit, the settlement money will be distributed to the plaintiffs.
The Hyundai and Kia mpg class-action lawsuit was filed in the Central District of California on December 23, 2013. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ruled that both companies overstated the gas mileage ratings on some models. According to the EPA, most models received between one and two miles per gallon less than they were getting. The Kia Soul model reportedly got six mpg less than advertised. The EPA and Consumer Legal Remedies Act has since been amended to make the car companies pay consumers’ damages.
The EPA and Consumer Legal Remedies Act both hold that the inflated MPG ratings of some models were false.
This practice has been attributed to numerous complaints regarding the misleading advertising practices of Kia and Hyundai. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency also found that many models, including the Kia Soul, received fewer miles per gallon than they were advertised. The EPA has dubbed the alleged practices the “MPG Gate.”
The lawsuit was filed by a group of consumers who purchased a 2011 Kia Optima HEV or a 2012 Soul Eco. They allege that the manufacturer inflated MPG ratings of certain models. These cars have subsequently been recalled, and the owners of the aforementioned vehicles have resorted to suing the automaker. The company has admitted that it overstated MPG ratings were based on inaccurate data.
In a recent decision, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the district court’s decision to certify a nationwide class action against Kia and Hyundai.
The plaintiffs argued that the vehicles’ inflated MPGs violated state consumer protection laws. The EPA found that a national settlement would not be effective. But the court did not rule on the validity of the claims filed by the plaintiffs in the suit.
The plaintiffs’ attorneys have been successful in a recent class-action lawsuit filed by the Gibbs Law Group. The alleged overstated MPG ratings caused many people to lose a lot of money. In the current economic climate, it is essential to keep costs low and to drive carefully. The higher the MPG, the better. And the lower-priced the fuel efficiency, the better.
The plaintiffs of the Kia and Hyundai MPG class-action lawsuit are requesting that the companies correct the misleading claims and offer a compensation settlement to consumers.
The claimants’ attorneys believe the proposed settlement should be accepted by both sides. The EPA should be allowed to settle the claim. The EPA’s decision should not affect the sale of these cars. A global settlement could help countless consumers. The company should make its consumers happy.
This lawsuit relates to the overstated gas mileage of the five models of Kia and Hyundai. The EPA’s findings showed that the manufacturers overstated the gas mileage on 35% of their vehicles. The EPA subsequently ordered the cars to correct this defect. Both brands and the consumer are now liable. The EPA’s findings have caused thousands of consumers to file a Class Action suit against the two companies.
We have been waiting 10 years for the settlement, as we requested a lump-sum payment. This is terrible.
I took the payments for the actual mileage as long as I own my Hyundai Santa Fe. I submitted my last reimbursement on 4/4/22. Contacted them several times after 30 days. The last correspondence was on 6/9/22. I was told I should have my reimbursement by the end of June. I waited until yesterday to reach out again. The phone has been disconnected. I sent an email and it was returned undeliverable.
I have been trying to get reimbursed from Hyundai since February 2022. I called every month, and the response was always that they were behind. The phones have been disconnected since July 2022. I contacted Hyundai Consumer Affairs three times, and they won’t do a thing. The gave me an email address, that no one monitors/responds from. I believe they are hoping we will all go away. The same dialogue is being read every time you call.