Hyundai and Kia owners in Australia could end up with a free engine replacement

Serious engine problems linked to Hyundai and Kia recalls in the US may also have occurred in Australia. SEE LIST OF CARS AFFECTED

Thousands of popular cars sold by Hyundai and Kia could be subject to a class action surrounding engine problems.

The South Korean manufacturers are the centre of an investigation by Bannister Law, a firm that has taken action against several car manufacturers including Volkswagen, Audi, Jaguar Land Rover, Mitsubishi and Mazda.

Bannister Law principal solicitor Charles Bannister said the firm is examining whether serious engine problems linked to Hyundai and Kia recalls in the United States also occurred in Australia.

The manufacturers have been contacted for comment.

Hyundai is among the popular car brands caught up in the class action.

Owners of Hyundai or Kia vehicles with petrol engines up to 2.4L in size are encouraged to

register with Bannister Law if they have experienced:

– shuddering

– knocking, clicking or other abnormal noises (likely vary with the revs of the car)

– engine seizing

– stalling or stopping suddenly

– reduced power or hesitation

– illumination of the ‘check engine’ or ‘engine oil pressure’ warning light

– burning smell, oil leaks, smoke

– fire

– reports from mechanics of oil starvation issues, bearing wear and / or metal debris or

filings in the engine oil

– knock sensor repair, replacement or software update

Hyundai’s American arm recalled almost 130,000 examples of the Veloster sports car, Santa Fe SUV and Sonata sedan in December 2020 to address premature internal connecting rod bearing wear that could lead to catastrophic engine failure in petrol-powered cars.

The popular Kia Sorento.

A further 95,000 vehicles including the Sonata Hybrid and Tucson SUV were added to the tally in 2021.

Kia USA recalled 295,000 cars including popular Sorento and Sportage SUVs to address the issue in 2020, before adding more than 10,000 Optima sedans to the campaign last year.

The manufacturers examined affected models, extended customer warranties and replaced some engines in affected vehicles.

Some of the cars may have been built in American factories that do not supply Australia.

Mr Bannister’s firm released a statement on Friday saying it “has reason to believe the same issue may be present in Australian vehicles”.

The manufacturers’ Australian arms had not issued local recalls to examine the issue.

Bannister Law is putting together a case for owner compensation, and has asked owners of 16 popular models to get in touch.

The cars include Hyundai’s Santa Fe, i30, Veloster, Tuscon and iLoad, plus Kia’s Sorento, Sportage, Optima, Cerato and other models.

Go to their website for more information.