Kia Group Proceeding (Class Action)

This is a group proceeding (class action) brought against Kia Australia Pty Ltd (Kia) on behalf of persons who acquired in Australia, by purchase, exchange, lease or hire-purchase, any of the following vehicles with a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)  recorded in the relevant recall notices:

• Kia Sportage (QL) (model years 2016–2021) or Stinger (model years 2016–2019) with a VIN identified in the recall notices published on 16 May 2021, and acquired before 16 May 2021;
• Kia Sportage (SLe) (model years 2014–2015) with a VIN identified in the recall notice published on 19 January 2023, and acquired before 19 January 2023;
• Kia Soul (AM) (model years 2010–2013), Sorento (XM) (model years 2010–2014), Cerato (TD) (model years 2009–2013), Sportage (SL) (model years 2009–2013), Optima (TF) (model years 2010–2015), or Rondo (UN) (model years 2009–2013), with a VIN identified in the recall notices published on 9 October 2024, where the vehicle was first supplied to a consumer prior to 9 October 2024; or
• Kia Rio (UB) (model years 2011–2016), Sportage (SLe) (model years 2013–2014), or Rondo (RP) (model years 2012–2018), with a VIN  identified in the recall notices published on 9 October 2024, and acquired prior to 9 October 2024

         (together, the ‘Affected Vehicles’).

The class action alleges that Kia manufactured and sold defective vehicles in Australia between 2009 and 2024 and, in doing so, failed to comply with the guarantee of acceptable quality within the meaning of the Australian Consumer Law. It also alleges that Kia made misleading representations as to the quality of those vehicles.

It is claimed that during the relevant period, each Affected Vehicle contained, or was part of a model line that contained a defect in the Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) which made it vulnerable to moisture damage and could cause short-circuiting and engine compartment fires. The Affected Vehicles were the subject of various recall notices issued by Kia between 16 May 2021 and 9 October 2024 (depending on the vehicle model).

Initially, four overlapping group proceedings were brought on behalf of group members against Hyundai Motor Company Australia Pty Ltd (Hyundai) and Kia, being: 

• Samantha Jane Edwards v Hyundai (S ECI 2023 04365); and
• David John Sims v Kia (S ECI 2023 04370),

         (collectively, the ‘Edwards and Sims Proceedings’); and

• Anne-Maree Johnston v Hyundai (S ECI 2022 05424); and
• Jane Victoria Moroney v Kia (S ECI 2023 00959),

         (collectively, the ‘Johnston and Moroney Proceedings’).

On 8 August 2025, the Honourable Justice Osborne ordered that the Edwards and Sims Proceedings be permanently stayed, and the Johnston and Moroney Proceedings continue as open class proceedings.

This group proceeding is related to, and is being case managed together with, Anne-Maree Johnston v Hyundai Motor Company Australia Pty Ltd (S ECI 2022 05424), which concerns claims regarding alleged ABS defects in affected Hyundai vehicles.