Despite Recall, Millions of Defective Hyundai and Kia Cars are Still on the Road

More than half a year after Hyundai and Kia warned millions of car owners that their vehicles could go up in flames, most of the automobiles reportedly are still on the road and unrepaired.

“Hyundai and Kia have acknowledged that there’s little hope of repairing most of the affected vehicles until June or later, roughly nine months after they announced the recalls,” Tom Krisher writes for the Associated Press. “The two companies attributed the delays, in part, to the huge number of vehicles involved, among the largest recalls they’ve ever done.”

The automakers - Hyundai is Kia’s parent company - recalled 3.4 million cars for fire risks back in September. They said at the time that Brake fluid leaks could cause fires in the recalled vehicles. Hyundai and Kia had received more than 50 reports of “thermal incidents” by the time they issued the recalls. 

The recall covered a wide range of Hyundai models from 2010 through 2015, including the Accent, Elantra and Tucson. Kia models from 2010 through 2019, including the Cadenza, Optima and Sorento, were also covered.

The companies urged owners to park outside until they get their vehicles fixed, a precaution to prevent possible fires from quickly spreading. The problem, of course, is that the fix has been slow in coming.

Hyundai and Kia reportedly say they are having a hard time getting their hands on parts needed to perform the repairs. Specifically, they cannot get enough fuses, which are necessary to reduce circuit boards’ electrical currents.

“Hyundai has said that repairing the affected vehicles requires an intricate fuse assembly, with new covers and labels,” Krisher reports. “Although just one fuse will be added to each vehicle, both automakers said they must obtain multiple types of new fuses to cover all models.”

This is far from the only safety issue facing Hyundai, Kia, and people who drive their cars. The companies have called back some 13 million vehicles over engine defects since 2010, according to the AP. Federal regulators in 2020 forced the manufacturers to pay $137 million in fines and for safety improvements for being too slow to recall vehicles with engine problems.

Know Your California Lemon Law Rights

There is some good news for Hyundai, Kia and other car owners and lessors in California. You do not need to wait around for a recall to get defective vehicles repaired.

The California lemon law generally requires carmakers to perform a wide range of repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. It also forces carmakers to buy back vehicles (or replace, in some situations) that they are unable or simply refuse to fix. That means compensating the owner for the vehicle’s purchase price, as well as financing charges, rental car costs and other related expenses.

There is no specific number of repair requests or attempts that must happen before the buyback requirement kicks in. That is one reason why it is crucial to seek the advice of an experienced lemon law attorney.

Talk with an Orange County Lemon Law Attorney

If you have been stuck with a defective or malfunctioning vehicle, an Orange County lemon law attorney at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help you fight back.  

Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with an Orange County lemon law attorney.