PA Awarded $1.6M After Kia, Hyundai 'Overstated' Vehicle Fuel Efficiency

If you bought a Hyundai or Kia between 2011 and 2013 because of its reported fuel economy, you might not have saved as much on your gasoline bill as you thought, according to a recent multi-state settlement with Hyundai and Kia.

Pennsylvania will receive $1.6 million as part of a multi-state settlement with auto makers Hyundai and Kia, the Office of the Attorney General announced Thursday.

The money will be used for future consumer protection efforts, officials said.

An investigation by the states showed the companies misrepresented mileage and fuel economy ratings on certain vehicles from 2011, 2012 and 2013, the Attorney General's Office said.

The overall $41.2 million settlement - involving 33 states and the District of Columbia - concludes a multi-state investigation into the business practices of Hyundai and Kia relative to fuel economy estimate adjustments for certain of their model year 2011, 2012 and 2013 vehicles, prosecutors stated.

According to the Attorney General's Office, the companies sought to capitalize on the overstated estimates by using them in advertisements and promotional campaigns.

"These actions distorted facts that may have been substantial to consumers' decisions to purchase particular vehicles during a time of high gasoline prices," officials said.

In November 2012, Hyundai and Kia announced they were adjusting and restating the fuel economy ratings for certain vehicles with a model year between 2011 and 2013.

Other states involved in the settlement included Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin and the District of Columbia.

Photo: Flickr Commons.