Supreme Court won’t hear appeal in Kia brakes suit
Washington — The Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal of a $5.6 million verdict against Kia Motors Inc. in a class-action suit over allegedly faulty brakes in Sephia sedans.
The high court decision announced without comment Monday ends an 11-year legal battle.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court last December upheld a decision that awarded $600 — $5.6 million total — to 9,400 owners of 1997 to 2000 Kia Sephias in Pennsylvania that had brakes that allegedly wore out much faster than normal.
Owners in other states have pursued separate claims. A jury in New Jersey found Kia Sephia owners could be reimbursed up to $750 for brake repairs. Claims were due by May 2010.
The Pennsylvania suit was first filed by a Kia owner that had gone to a dealer five times to get the brakes repaired on her 2001 Sephia between January and October 2000.
Kia changed the brakes beginning in the 2001 model year.
Michael D. Donovan Selected to Pennsylvania Super Lawyers 2004-2025