Class-Action Lawsuit Filed After Couple’s Kia Erupts in Flame

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on February 14, 2019

On Thursday, February 7th, a couple in Polk County filed a class-action lawsuit that targeted Kia Motors. According to the couple, the lawsuit relates to a frightening incident that they experienced back in August of 2018 while they were driving their 2013 Kia Sorento down a road that was not named in the news stories conveying information regarding the lawsuit.

At the time, the couple was traveling with their young child in the back seat. The first indication that something was wrong with the car came from people who were driving down the same road. The couple reported that numerous vehicles began to honk at them, wave at them, and generally try and get the immediate attention of the two driving the car. Around that same time, the couple stated that all of the warning indicators located along the vehicle’s dashboard lit up simultaneously.

They pulled the car over immediately and removed their baby from the back seat. By this time, the car was clearly on fire, and the couple with their child moved to a safe place away from the vehicle while they waited for emergency response crews to reach the area. Pictures taken from the scene show the car engulfed in flames.

Documents obtained from the courthouse show that the couple had the engine of their Kia replaced in June of 2018 after receiving a notice regarding a voluntary recall issued by the company. Around that same time, numerous documents show that Kia had received multiple reports of severe and unusual mechanical issues from people who had contacted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Back in November of 2018, we reported on similar issues facing drivers of both Kia and Hyundai vehicle owners. In that report, we highlighted how although 563 individual complaints had been filed with the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration in relation to Kia and Hyundai vehicles suddenly erupting into flames, no recall had been issued and no official investigation had been launched. As we mentioned then, this continues due to the lack of initiative on the part of the current government administration controlling national organizations such as the NHTSA to hold large corporations accountable for the safety of their products. In fact, the appointment of current head Administrator of the NHTSA, Heidi King, was strongly opposed by the Center for Auto Safety as well as the Natural Resources Defense Council as a result of her repeated failure as Deputy Administrator to focus on safety issues.

As of this writing, it is clear that hundreds of people who have been affected – not to mention the thousands who are still driving Kia’s and Hyundai’s – have yet to see any response to their life-threatening encounters with the malfunctioning cars.

Sources:

• Lawsuit filed after Polk County couple says car started on fire

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.