Kia Soul Seltos Engine Recall Lawsuit: Owners Fight for Justice

The Kia Soul Seltos engine recall lawsuit involves defects in certain Kia models’ engines, leading to issues like stalling and fires. Owners are suing for compensation for repairs and damages caused by these defects.

The lawsuit about the recall’s affecting the engines of the Kia Seltos and Soul is one of the most urgent issues is affecting Kia owners. The recall covers multiple variants of Kia Soul’s and Kia Seltos’ models from 2011-2021. These models have been associated with a myriad of issues such as ignition failure, engines overheating, and the potential of the engine catching fire. These issues have caused numerous lawsuits as consumers try to recoup some of the financial losses.

The purpose of this article is to give the reader a comprehensive understanding of the the lawsuits and to give the reader the possible options to pursue the litigations.

What Caused the Recall of the Kia Soul Seltos Engines?

With multiple complaints from multiple owners, Kia Soul Seltos recall engines were caused by serious and well-documented defects in the engines of a few of the models. These defects were also serious safety issues because there were risks of the engine stalling and catching fire.

Defects in Engine and Causes

Kia Soul Seltos’ engines are being recalled due to engine issues with the Theta II GDI engine. This engine type has been investigated multiple times for problems with safety such as stalling while driving, engine fires, and losing power while driving. These reports led to investigations for internal damage and to sudden engine failure. People who drive these engines have issues with engine knocking and oil sludge build up.

Engine fires are the greatest risk and the greatest concern. Owners have had to deal with safety issues because in some cases, the engine has even burned while the car in question was parked. Owners have filed multiple complaints related to the car’s engine overheating, malfunctioning, and bursting.

Vehicles Affected by the Recall

The Soul and Seltos models from Kia that were manufactured from 2011 to 2021 are particularly targeted. Affected examples include:

• Kia Soul 2011-2021: Affected engine configurations include those with the Theta II 1.6L and 2.0L GDI engines.
• Kia Seltos 2020-2021: Problems in the 1.6L GDI engines in some Seltos models have been recognized and are causing problems with the engine systems.

The problem affects thousands of cars, and the recall likely includes a large portion of cars sold in these years. As a result, Kia has engine problem recalls that have affected 600,000 cars in the country.

Engine Problems and their Consequences

The engine problems in the Kia Soul and Kia Seltos models have made owners of the cars very concerned because of the safety and performance problems these defects induce. These issues have resulted in the complete failure of the engine, the added costs of having to fix the engine, and in some cases, these problems cause very dangerous situations while driving.

1. Engine Stalling and Loss of Power

One of the biggest problems that the owners of the Kia Soul and Seltos have is the failure of the engine. Owners have stated that the engines are not responsive at all, and while they are driving, this engine stall situation leaves the cars and the owners in a very dangerous situation because they could get involved in a high speed collision especially if the cars happen to stall in the middle of the road. The stalling of the engines of the affected models is usually because of some components of the engine that are supposed to keep the engine running.

2. Risk of Engine Fires

One of the most serious concerns for vehicle owners is the risk of an engine fire. Numerous owners have reported their cars igniting while parked, and in some cases, while being driven. If oil sludge builds up in the engine, it can cause the engine to overheat and potentially catch fire. This is dangerous because it is a risk to the driver and other people around the car. Some of these fires have resulted in the complete loss of the vehicle and serious damage to other property.

3. Excessive Oil Consumption

Another serious issue many owners have reported is the extreme and rapid consumption of oil. Kia engines in question have a defect that cause them to burn through oil much faster than normal, and as a result the engine oil level will drop to a dangerous level before the driver has a chance to add oil. This will eventually lead to the engine components wear and tear, damage, or complete failure. In many of these situations, owners had to add oil to the engine to keep it running properly, and many faced engine failure as a result of the oil drop.

Legal Issues Regarding the Lawsuit for the Kia Soul Seltos Engine Recall

A major legal concern for Kia is the Soul Seltos Engine Recall Class ACTION Lawsuit that is happening. Defective vehicle owners are filing claims for the defect in their cars. Lawsuits focus on Kia’s negligence for missing safety issues and foregoing the risk and responsibility of costly repairs and injury to the public.

Lawsuit Claims – Kia Soul Seltos Engine Recall

Class ACTION Lawsuit Soul Seltos Engine Recall claims to Kia that the company sold vehicles that are known to have engine defects and other issues without the knowledge of consumers and without the proper consumer protection policies. Plaintiffs in this case claim that the engine defects and engine stalling, fires, etc. are issues for which Kia should be liable.

Legal Allegations in the Lawsuits

There are legal issues of the Class ACTION Soul Seltos Engine Recall regarding negligence that Kia owes to vehicle owners and safety.

Negligence: The most prominent legal claim in these lawsuits is negligence. Plaintiffs allege that Kia failed to act in a timely manner to address the defective engines and prevent harm to consumers. Despite being aware of the engine defects, the company did not issue a recall or provide proper repairs to affected owners until the problems escalated.

Product Liability: Another key allegation is product liability, where the plaintiffs claim that Kia sold vehicles with known defects that were hazardous to consumer safety. According to the lawsuits, Kia was aware of the potential risks of engine failure and fire but continued to sell affected models without proper corrective actions.

Breach of Warranty: Many plaintiffs have also argued that Kia failed to honor their vehicle warranties. The vehicles in question came with a manufacturer’s warranty that guaranteed repairs for defects in materials or workmanship. However, plaintiffs claim that Kia was slow to address the problems, leading to expensive repairs and vehicle breakdowns.

What Are the Claims Aimed For?

The related lawsuits to the Kia Soul Seltos Engine recall are aiming to win claims for the following:

• Cost of Repairs or Replacements: Owners are claiming money for expenses for repairs that they have to do on their own.
• Value of the Vehicle: Many owners have claims for the recall because it has affected the value their vehicle and caused it to decrease.
• Emotional Distress: Some plaintiffs are claiming an amount for the emotional state that they are in, as the engine that they have can cause a fire. For people in the engine defecator, the engine can perhaps run and cause them to be in a very terrified state.
• Punitive Damages: Some plaintiffs see that as a huge negligence done to the engine because to them it seems that they do not mind about consumer safety, they sue Kia for punitive damages.

Class Action Lawsuit or Individual Lawsuit

Most of the Kia Soul Seltos Engine Recall lawsuits are class action lawsuits which mean that a great number of people affected have the right to join and sue Kia as a single entity and this gives them a greater chance of winning. Some individuals however have opted to do the opposite and have acted as a single entity to sue and gain money.

How to Check If Your Kia Soul or Seltos is Affected by the Recall

As the owner of a Kia Soul or Kia Seltos, knowing the recall status of your vehicle can save you from possible dangers associated with a recall. There are a few methods provided by Kia to make checking anywhere from barely to moderately easy.

1. Go to Kia’s Recall Lookup Tool

First, Kia offers a recall lookup tool on its official website as a way for you to check your vehicle recall status by inputting your vehicle identification number (VIN). This tool provides real-time vehicle recall status checking, including recall status for engine problems.

2. Go to a Local Kia Dealership

Another way you can check the recall status of your vehicle is to check with a local Kia dealership. Dealerships can give you the status of your vehicles recall, as they have access to internal databases not available to the public. They can also help you with the free recalls available to you.

3. Call Kia Customer Service

Finally, you can always check with Kia customer service regarding the recall status of your vehicle. If you’re looking for recent recall information on your vehicle, make sure to have your VIN, as customer service agents are more likely to give you precise and current information.

What to Do if Your Kia is Affected by the Recall

If you own a vehicle listed in the class action lawsuit and you want to file a claim, follow the steps below:

1. Record the Problems

If you experienced issues with your engine, make a record of the problem. If your engine stalled or caught fire, make a record. If you have photographs or videos, record those to support your claim.

2. Talk to a Lawyer

Speak with a lawyer who handles consumer protection or product liability. He or she can give you advice and legal support and tell you if you have a legitimate complaint.

3. Lawsuit

You can take legal steps if you wish to do so, and so your lawyer can file a lawsuit against Kia for you. In several situations, this is possible. Several affected owners can join to seek reimbursement; this is called a class action lawsuit.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some FAQs about kia seltos soul recall engine issue

1. How may I check if my KIA is part of the recall?

Check Kia’s recall lookup tool. Call the customer service center or go to the nearest Kia dealership.

2. What do I do if I find my KIA is affected by the recall?

If you discover your KIA is affected by the recall, schedule the repairs at Kia and consult a lawyer if you have lost finances because of the recall or you are concerned about safety issues.

3. What can I estimate as possible compensation from the Kia Soul Seltos engine recall class action lawsuit?

The compensation is different based on the damages. This includes repair costs, loss of value of the vehicle, emotional distress, etc.

4. Is there a time frame to file a lawsuit for the engine problems?

Every state has a statue of limitations so there is a time frame. It is strongly advised to file a claim as quickly as possible so your legal rights are defended.

5. What are the odds of losing the lawsuit?

It is true that no lawsuit can be 100% certain to win. However, given the fact that so many owners are dealing with the same problems, it provides a better chance for plaintiffs in the class-action lawsuit.

Conclusion

The lawsuit regarding the recall of the Kia Soul Seltos engines continues to leave ramifications for countless automobile owners. Defective engines known as Theta II GDI have posed serious safety risks due to fires, and stalling engines. Furthermore, Theta II GDI engines consume an unsafe and unreasonably high amount of engine oil.

Because the GDI engines have up until this point not been fixed and have resulted in a loss of finances, owners of the GDI engines are encouraged to find if their engines are affected by the recall, and to obtain their recall repair services as soon as possible. The lawsuits in question as a whole may, for better or for worse, change the outlook of the automobile consumer rights for the better or for the worse.

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