New Hyundai Class Action Lawsuit regarding Lambda Engine Problems
What’s the Problem
Owners of Hyundai vehicles equipped with the 3.3 litre Lambda II gasoline direct-injection (“GDI”) V6 engine are reporting catastrophic engine failures, with a recent class action complaint alleging that the engine “self-destructs.” According to the complaint, internal metal debris circulates through the oil, causing fractured rotating assemblies, block penetrations, oil leaks, fires, and total engine loss. The claim asserts that Hyundai extended a limited engine warranty for model years 2013-2019 Santa Fe vehicles equipped with the 3.3 L engine—but that the manufacturer and its dealers concealed the coverage and refused free repairs for many owners.
Allegations
The class-action complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California (Jason & Allison Burns v. Hyundai Motor Company) alleges:
The 3.3 L Lambda II engine is defective by design or manufacturing and susceptible to abnormal, premature wearing and loosening of internal components.
Hyundai and its dealership network fraudulently concealed the existence of the extended engine warranty, allowing them to escape warranty obligations and leave owners with broken engines and little recourse.
Owners faced engine block destruction with connecting-rod failures that pierced the engine block, oil leaks, and potential fire hazards.
Recall/TSB (or Related Coverage)
There has been no full recall announced publicly for all vehicles equipped with the 3.3 L Lambda II engine—but notable actions include:
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition in February 2024 requesting a federal investigation into 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles equipped with the 3.3 L Lambda II engine.
In April 2024 (three months after the petition), NHTSA determined that it would not open a broader investigation into these engines, citing a low complaint rate and high-mileage nature of the incidents.
Hyundai extended the engine warranty for some 2013-2019 Santa Fe vehicles with the 3.3 L engine to 15 years or 150,000 miles.
Symptoms
Owners have reported severe and sudden symptoms, including:
Knocking and ticking noises from the engine.
Smoke or flames coming from the engine compartment due to oil leak onto hot surfaces following a destroyed engine block.
Complete loss of engine power and internal destruction at relatively modest mileage (for example, one vehicle with under 80,000 miles reported catastrophic engine failure).
If you drive a Hyundai vehicle equipped with the 3.3 L Lambda II engine and are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should proceed with caution.
How to Proceed
Document Issues: Keep detailed records of all repairs, service orders, and communications with the dealership and Hyundai. Make sure the work order includes your complaint about the engine.
Reasonable Number of Repair Attempts: If your engine has undergone four or more repair attempts for the same problem, or your vehicle has been out of service for 30 + days cumulatively, you may meet the threshold for a “lemon.”
Monitor Symptoms: Pay attention to new engine noises, warning lights, loss of power, smoke, or fires. If you experience any of these, stop driving and get the vehicle inspected, and notify the dealership in writing.
Protect Your Rights Under California Lemon Law
Unfortunately, Hyundai has taken advantage of California’s “new” lemon law, AB 1755 and Civil Code section 871.20 et seq. Because of these changes, vehicles purchased in California more than six years may no longer qualify for lemon law protections. If this concerns you, consider contacting your local state representative to express your disappointment that California’s lemon law has been weakened. Senator Tom Umberg was critical in this erosion of California consumer rights, along with Assembly Member Ash Kalra. You can contact them below:
https://sd34.senate.ca.gov/contact
https://a25.asmdc.org/contact-ash
https://www.gov.ca.gov/contact/