A new lawsuit claims thousands of Hyundai vehicles have a steering wheel issue.
Plaintiffs W. David Anglin and Lora C. Anglin seek to represent a class of individuals who have a purported safety issue with their 2022 Hyundai Palisades. The lawsuit claims Hyundai had prior knowledge of the defect, and failed to address it adequately, leaving consumers at risk.
The Proposed Classes
The plaintiffs seek to represent two proposed classes:
- Nationwide Class: Comprising all individuals and entities in the United States, with the exception of residents of the State of California, who purchased or leased a 2022 Hyundai Palisade
- Georgia Subclass: Encompassing all individuals and entities in the State of Georgia who purchased or leased a 2022 Hyundai Palisade.
The Case Details
The lawsuit, filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of Columbia (Case No. 8:23-cv-01279), centers around an alleged steering defect affecting 2022 Hyundai Palisades. According to the plaintiffs, this latent safety defect causes the vehicles' steering wheels to dangerously shake or pull forcefully in one direction, leading the vehicles to veer off their intended path. They claim the defect forces owners like the Anglins and numerous others to either struggle to maintain a straight trajectory or rely on temporary dealership "re-alignments" that ultimately prove ineffective.
Hyundai's Alleged Knowledge
The crux of the case lies in Hyundai's purported prior knowledge of the steering defect. The complaint contends that Hyundai had been aware of this issue since at least May 2022, with numerous National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and direct communications to Hyundai dealerships serving as evidence. Despite this knowledge, the automaker allegedly refused to acknowledge the defect and issue a proper recall, thereby putting consumers at risk.
Numerous Consumer Complaints
The plaintiffs' experiences are not isolated incidents, according to the complaint. Various other consumers have filed complaints echoing similar issues with their 2022 Hyundai Palisades. For instance, one consumer reported on an online Palisade forum steering wheel issues on their new Palisade Calligraphy, with only about 500 miles on it. The consumer said while driving on a straight road, the steering wheel sat cocked to the left. If they let go of the steering wheel, the vehicle pulled to the right.
Another Palisade forum complaint alleged right-sided pulling, which a dealership confirmed. The dealership swapped the front tires and did an alignment. However, the wheel continued to pull to the right on the consumer’s way home from the dealership.
According to an NHTSA complaint, the steering wheel issue caused the driver arm soreness due to the extra pressure needed to balance the steering. Another NHTSA report alleges steering wheel shaking and vibrating at 65 to 75 miles per hour, with unsuccessful repair attempts.
The Class Representatives' Story
As alleged in the complaint, plaintiffs purchased a new 2022 Hyundai Palisade from a Hyundai dealership int Athens, Georgia. Despite reporting a steering issue right after the purchase, the dealership's attempts to fix the steering defect were unsuccessful. After several failed repair attempts, the Anglins invoked the Georgia Lemon Law, notifying the Hyundai dealership of the problem. However, Hyundai neither addressed the defect nor repurchased the vehicle within the required timeframe. The Anglins claim that Hyundai never disclosed the steering defect during the purchase, misleading them about the vehicle's safety and reliability.
Alleged Violations and Requested Relief
The plaintiffs assert a range of legal claims against Hyundai, including breach of express and implied warranties, violation of consumer protection laws, and unjust enrichment. They seek various forms of relief. They ask the court, for instance, to certify the proposed class and order Hyundai to conduct a recall and eliminate the steering defect. Moreover, the plaintiffs seek compensatory and exemplary damages, as well as attorneys' fees.
The outcome of this lawsuit could have far-reaching implications for thousands of Hyundai Palisade owners.
