$200M Hyundai, Kia settlement resolves theft suits

Hyundai Kia theft class action settlement overview: 

• Who: Hyundai Motor America and Kia America have agreed to pay more than $200 million in a class action settlement to the owners of their model 2011-2022 vehicles. 
• Why: The class action settlement will resolve claims Kia and Hyundai failed to equip the vehicles with an engine immobilizer, leaving them vulnerable to theft. 
• Where: Nationwide. 

Hyundai Motor America and Kia America have agreed to pay more than $200 million to resolve claims the automakers’ sold vehicles that were not equipped with an engine immobilizer, leaving them vulnerable to theft. 

Drivers claimed Hyundai and Kia’s alleged failure to equip their model 2011-2022 vehicles with the anti-theft device led to a viral TikTok trend known as the “Kia Challenge,” which showed how to easily steal the vehicles using only a USB charging cord. 

The class action settlement will provide compensation to the owners of a total of 4.5 million Kia vehicles and 4.5 million Hyundai vehicles, including up to $145 million for out-of-pocket losses, according to a news release. 

Eligible class members will also receive reimbursement for towing costs and other fees related to replacing costs, in the event their vehicle was stolen, and payments for drivers whose stolen vehicles were crashed or never recovered. 

Eligible Hyundai, Kia owners can receive free software upgrade as part of class action settlement

Drivers will also be able to seek to recover losses that were related to lost income or childcare expenses incurred as a result of the implementation of a software upgrade that will prevent the vehicles from being able to start without a key being present. 

Owners of impacted Kia and Hyundai vehicles that are able to receive the software upgrade will receive it at no cost, while those with models that are unable to get the upgrade are eligible for up to $300 in reimbursement for a variety of anti-theft modifications. 

The settlement puts an end to multidistrict litigation of the claims, after a number of class action lawsuits were filed — and ultimately consolidated — against Hyundai and Kia nationwide, over the issue. 

The attorneys general from 18 states urged the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration last month to recall certain model 2011-2022 Kia and Hyundai vehicles over the issue. 

In March, meanwhile, the city of Cleveland filed a lawsuit against Hyundai and Kia over claims the automakers endangered public safety by allegedly failing to properly equip certain of their vehicles with an engine immobilizer. 

Do you own a Kia or Hyundai vehicle that is not equipped with an engine immobilizer? Let us know in the comments! 

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