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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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521 thoughts on$200M Hyundai, Kia settlement resolves theft suits
My 2020 Kia was stolen 3x. I paid over 2,000. I had to pay tow fees, a 500.00 deductible to my insurance, pay extra for a rental.
My kia was broken into my window had be replaced abd my ignition damaged i paid out over 600 and told there a waiting list on snti theft devices i was part of big theives in tacoma boys i couldnt work for over month i had special order window they were hit by so many in one month no parts available i cant get insurance now because its Kia they wont cover my car now.
My 2017 Tucson was stolen from me on September 22, 2022, it was never found.
How can I apply to be apart of this lawsuit as I had a car that was stolen twice
How does one go about this?
What kills me is what good is the software update I had done on my 2020 Kia Sorento lx if it’s not equipped with the immobilizer? Sounds like we still getting screwed over. I paid little over 30,000 for a vehicle that can still be stolen with usb cord. If I trade it in I lose half of what I paid for it still even though it has less then 71,000 mile on it. Wish I would’ve bought another vehicle instead. Sooooo disappointed
My husbands Tucson was broken into 2 weeks ago they broke the right back window and took the steering column apart. The police said that’s the MO when we called and that they don’t know the year of models they’re breaking into so when they see that can’t Hotwire it they just damage the inside of your vehicle😩
My daughter’s Hyundai was broken into twice..help
I am a victim as well and my 2017 Kia Sorento was stolen from the KIA dealership December 2022 and they saying they not responsible for it at all but yet it was in their possession
I am a victim of the tick Tok challenge. I had to pay for towing and my very high deductible and get a rental car. Also the back window that was shattered to a million pieces was on back order so it took like a month to get my car back. Which incurred more out of pocket expenses because my insurance company only covered that for so long. Also, I missed approximately 3 days of work which jeopardised my employment. I got a police report and nothing was done and my insurance representative said my My insurance would go up because they didn’t catch the people who did this. Please help me get some compensation. I am so single, senior citizen just trying to get by and this event has caused me to have to borrow money and use my credit cards to get back on my feet so I wouldn’t be evicted. Thank you so much for your consideration. Joan Brooks, 910-393-9089. Hyundai Sonata, 2011.