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Hyundai Motor America is facing a class action lawsuit filed on May 9, 2025, concerning alleged defects in the braking systems of certain Hyundai Palisade sport utility vehicles. The lawsuit, Maldonado, et al. v. Hyundai Motor America, Case No. 8:25-cv-00983, was lodged in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California and claims that these defects pose significant safety risks to vehicle occupants and other road users.
Key Highlights:
- A class action lawsuit has been filed against Hyundai Motor America.
- The lawsuit alleges defective anti-lock braking systems (ABS) and/or traction control systems (TCS) in 2023-2025 Hyundai Palisade models.
- These alleged defects reportedly cause increased stopping distances, particularly on uneven road surfaces.
- Plaintiffs claim Hyundai knew about the issues but failed to disclose them or provide timely repairs.
- The lawsuit seeks monetary damages, vehicle repair or replacement, and other remedies for affected owners in New York and Ohio.
The core of the lawsuit centers on allegations that the 2023, 2024, and 2025 Hyundai Palisade SUVs are equipped with braking systems that can malfunction, especially when brakes are applied on rough or uneven road surfaces. Plaintiffs assert that this malfunction leads to a miscalculation of wheel speed, causing the ABS or TCS to rapidly release and reapply the brakes. This, in turn, can result in unexpectedly longer stopping distances, potentially increasing the risk of accidents.
The complaint further alleges that Hyundai was aware of these braking system issues through various channels, including pre-production testing, early consumer complaints (reportedly surfacing online since at least February 2023), and internal warranty data. Despite this alleged knowledge, the lawsuit contends that Hyundai failed to inform consumers about the potential defects before they purchased or leased their vehicles and has not offered an effective or timely solution. Some owners who sought repairs were reportedly told the braking behavior was “normal” or that dealerships did not know how to fix the problem.
This alleged failure to disclose and act is contrasted with Hyundai’s marketing, which promoted the Palisade as a vehicle with “top-of-the-line safety and tech features,” including its ABS and TCS. The lawsuit argues these representations were misleading given the alleged undisclosed defects.
The plaintiffs, Camille Maldonado, Shlomo Vizel, and Terrance Rubin, are seeking to represent a class of all individuals and entities who purchased or leased the affected Palisade models in New York and Ohio. They are pursuing various forms of relief, including actual, incidental, and consequential damages, as well as punitive damages. The lawsuit also calls for restitution, vehicle repair or replacement with non-defective components, warranty reform, and injunctive relief to prevent Hyundai from continuing the alleged deceptive practices.
As of early June 2025, the litigation is in its preliminary stages. The complaint has been filed, and initial procedural orders, including judicial assignments, have been issued. Hyundai Motor America had not yet filed a formal response to the allegations in court.
Owners of affected 2023-2025 Hyundai Palisade vehicles, particularly in New York and Ohio, may be part of the proposed class if it is certified by the court. It is generally advisable for owners experiencing issues consistent with the allegations—such as increased stopping distances on uneven surfaces or unusual ABS/TCS activation—to document these occurrences and any interactions with dealerships regarding the problem. While the class action aims to provide relief, some legal commentators suggest that individual lawsuits might offer more substantial compensation for those with severe or persistent issues, though this path is typically more demanding.
The lawsuit highlights the increasing scrutiny on advanced vehicle safety systems and the responsibility of manufacturers to ensure their reliability and transparently address potential defects. The outcome of Maldonado v. Hyundai could have significant implications for Hyundai and potentially influence how similar cases involving complex vehicle technologies are handled in the future.
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