Currently, Kia Motor America has reached a class action settlement for the following makes and models: 2011-2018 and certain 2019 Kia Optima; 2012-2018 and certain 2019 Kia Sorento; 2012-2018 and certain 2019 Kia Sportage. According to a recent statement, these affected vehicles suffer from “a defect that can cause engine seizure, stalling, engine failure, and engine fire.” Some owners and lessees have not received the necessary repairs under the vehicle’s warranty. If you own one of these affected vehicles with the engine-knock sensor device, you may have received or will be receiving a notice in the mail. Before you proceed, it’s a good idea to explore the legal options available to you. Independent lemon law cases are often much more effective than class action settlements are in recovering a buyback or replacement, so consider contacting a lemon law expert to discuss your specific situation.
Independent Cases Vs. Class Action
In a class-action lawsuit, those who are entitled to receive compensation can submit valid claims within a specific time period for the court to review and approve. However, if you decide to pursue an independent lemon law claim, you may have more success in recovering a greater amount of compensation. Independent lemon law cases usually result in significantly greater recoveries than taking any class action settlement offer. For instance, a buyback for a $25,000 vehicle would result in nearly all of the $25,000 being returned to you, minus a minor offset for mileage. In contrast, a class action settlement might yield you a few thousand dollars in exchange for a waiver of your rights to proceed with an independent claim.
What to Do After Receiving a Notice
Once you’ve received a notice of settlement, you’ll be asked to submit a claim form or to exclude yourself from the settlement. If you are interested in pursuing an independent claim, be sure to submit a request for exclusion by October 30, 2020. Should you fail to take action before this deadline, you cannot bring an independent lemon law case at any point in the future. It’s imperative that you act quickly to ensure that you keep your options open for obtaining the refund you deserve.
Experience You Can Trust
Lemon Law Partners, LLP specializes in individual lemon law cases in California. We routinely obtain full refunds or replacements for our clients, and we occasionally secure bonus monies for a manufacturer’s bad faith refusal to comply with lemon laws. If we win, you pay nothing—the manufacturer pays our fees and costs.
The dedicated lemon law attorneys at Lemon Law Partners, LLP are committed to helping clients in Oakland, Berkeley, and throughout the Bay Area successfully resolve their lemon law cases. If you’ve received a notice of settlement in the mail, give us a call at (510) 944-0336 so we can help you evaluate the prospects of a KIA claim.
