Hyundai Lemon Law Lawyers

Hyundai’s extensive engine recall program for Theta II and Nu engines does not eliminate your lemon law rights – in fact, it can strengthen your claim by serving as manufacturer acknowledgment of a known defect. If your Sonata, Santa Fe, Tucson or Elantra has experienced engine problems despite recall repairs, you likely have a strong lemon law case. Hyundai’s approach of installing knock sensor detection systems as a preventative measure rather than replacing potentially defective engines has led to numerous lemon law claims. While Hyundai has extended engine warranties up to 10 years/120,000 miles for some vehicles, you maintain full lemon law protection if problems persist after reasonable repair attempts. Document all instances of engine noise, power loss, warning lights, and especially any dangerous stalling incidents to build your case.

Hyundai’s Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS), installed as part of their engine recall remedy, creates a unique lemon law situation where the ‘fix’ itself can become evidence of an ongoing defect. When this system activates, placing your Sonata, Santa Fe, Tucson or Elantra into protective ‘limp mode,’ it creates documentary evidence of an acknowledged engine problem even if complete failure hasn’t occurred. Hyundai typically defends these cases by arguing the system is working as designed by preventing catastrophic failure, but courts have found that repeated limp mode activation substantially impairs both safety and use, meeting lemon law standards. To strengthen your claim, document every instance of reduced power, warning lights, or system activation, especially noting any dangerous traffic situations created by sudden power loss. Hyundai’s own diagnostic data from these systems provides compelling evidence of continuing defects despite recall compliance.

Hyundai vehicles equipped with panoramic sunroofs, particularly Santa Fe, Tucson, and Palisade models, have experienced a specific defect pattern that strengthens lemon law claims. These large glass roof panels have demonstrated problems including spontaneous shattering, persistent water leaks despite multiple repair attempts, and excessive wind noise that dealers struggle to resolve. Hyundai typically defends by attributing these issues to external factors or ‘normal characteristics’ rather than design defects, despite multiple technical service bulletins addressing these concerns. To build a strong case, document all symptoms with photographs, video recordings of noise issues, and measurements of water intrusion when applicable. Hyundai’s pattern of performing multiple adjustments rather than component redesign creates the repair attempt history necessary for lemon law qualification. Expert testimony establishing that these issues result from design limitations rather than installation errors is particularly effective. Courts in several states have found that safety concerns related to potential glass failures while driving constitutes substantial impairment regardless of whether actual breakage has occurred.

Hyundai vehicles equipped with smart trunk or power liftgate systems, particularly Santa Fe, Tucson, and Palisade models, have experienced specific defect patterns that strengthen lemon law claims. These vehicles may exhibit symptoms including failure to open when activated, partial opening followed by reversal, unexpected closing while in use, and strut failures causing the trunk to fall rapidly when open. Hyundai typically defends by performing recalibrations and software updates rather than addressing mechanical or sensor deficiencies, creating a pattern of temporary improvements followed by returning symptoms. To build a strong case, document all system failures chronologically, noting weather conditions when applicable, and particularly any safety incidents where the trunk closed unexpectedly or failed to open despite proper activation. Hyundai’s technical service bulletins regarding trunk motor current thresholds and sensor sensitivity provide evidence of known issues. Courts in several states have found that trunk/liftgate malfunctions meet the ‘substantial impairment’ standard when they affect basic cargo accessibility, a primary function in SUV and crossover vehicles, regardless of whether manual operation remains possible as a workaround.

Hyundai vehicles equipped with BlueLink connectivity systems, particularly in Palisade, Santa Fe, and Sonata models, have experienced specific defect patterns that strengthen lemon law claims. These vehicles may exhibit symptoms including system unavailability despite active subscriptions, failed remote commands (start, lock, climate control), inaccurate vehicle status reporting, and complete module failures requiring replacement. Hyundai typically defends by performing software updates and account resets rather than addressing hardware vulnerabilities, creating a pattern of temporary improvements followed by returning symptoms. To build a strong case, document all system failures chronologically, preserve screenshots of error messages from the mobile app, and maintain records of all communication with both dealers and BlueLink customer service regarding the issues. Hyundai’s technical service bulletins regarding BlueLink module specifications and cellular network compatibility provide evidence of known issues. While Hyundai often argues connectivity features are convenience functions rather than essential systems, courts in several states have found that technology packages commanding significant price premiums meet the ‘substantial impairment of value’ standard when they consistently fail to deliver advertised capabilities, particularly when these features factored significantly into purchase decisions.