$9M Kia Hyundai settlement offers cash and security upgrades to owners

Kia and Hyundai agreed to a $9 million multistate settlement to resolve claims that vehicles without engine immobilizers are at risk for theft.

The Kia Hyundai settlement provides benefits to owners and lessees of certain 2011–2022 Kia and Hyundai vehicles who meet the following criteria:

• The vehicle was not factory-equipped with an engine immobilizer
  
• The vehicle received a software upgrade or had an upgrade appointment scheduled
  
• A qualifying theft or attempted theft occurred:
  
• On or after April 29, 2025, and
  
• Before the vehicle received the free zinc sleeve installation, or
  
• Before March 31, 2027 (whichever comes first)

A total of 35 state attorneys general reached a settlement with automobile manufacturers Hyundai and Kia over their sale of millions of vehicles nationwide that lacked industry-standard, anti-theft technology.

A 2022 TikTok trend allegedly showed how to steal these vehicles in less than a minute using only a USB cable and a screwdriver. The trend led to a wave of thefts in several cities. In response, some cities took legal action against Kia and Hyundai, claiming the companies were responsible for the thefts.

This Hyundai engine immobilizer theft settlement is the latest of several settlements agreed upon in recent years, including a $145 million settlement in 2024 and a $200 million settlement in 2023.

Kia and Hyundai are both owned by Hyundai Motor Group and manufacture vehicles under their respective brands.

Kia and Hyundai have not admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to pay up to $4.5 million in restitution to eligible consumers whose cars are damaged by thieves and $4.5 million to the states to defray the costs of the investigation.

Under the terms of the Hyundai settlement, qualifying persons can receive a free vehicle software upgrade and a free zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protector hardware upgrade.

The settlement also provides cash benefits to individuals who experienced a qualifying theft or theft attempt.

Vehicle owners or lessees who experienced a qualifying theft can receive up to $4,500 for a total loss or $2,250 for a partial loss. Those who experienced a qualifying theft attempt can receive up to $375 for attempted theft expenses.

There is no deadline for exclusion and objection nor a final settlement hearing.

To receive settlement benefits, a valid claim form should be submitted by March 31, 2027.

Who’s Eligible

The Hyundai Kia settlement provides benefits to owners and lessees of certain 2011–2022 Kia and Hyundai vehicles that were not factory-equipped with engine immobilizers. To qualify, the vehicle must have either received the software upgrade or had an upgrade appointment scheduled, and the qualifying theft or attempted theft must have occurred on or after April 29, 2025, but before the vehicle received the free zinc sleeve installation or before March 31, 2027—whichever comes first.

Potential Award

Up to $4,500

Proof of Purchase

Required documentation varies depending on the type of claim being submitted. This could include a “total loss” or “partial loss” letter from the insured’s insurance company, proof of payment of the insurance deductible, proof of payment of any reasonable theft-related expenses or a copy of a police report.

Claim Form

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

03/31/2027

Case Name

In re: Kia Hyundai Vehicle Theft Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation, Case No. 8:22-ml-03052-JVS-KES, in the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation

Final Hearing

N/A

Settlement Website

HKMultistateImmobilizerSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Hyundai/Kia Multistate Settlement Administrator
P.O. Box 369
East Brunswick, NJ 08816
Hyundai Email: [email protected]
Hyundai Toll Free Phone Number: 1-877-409-4173
Kia Email: [email protected]
Kia Toll Free Phone Number: 1-844-655-4191

Class Counsel

Steve W. Berman
HAGENS BERMAN SOBOL SHAPIRO LLP

Elizabeth A. Fegan
FEGAN SCOTT LLC

Kenneth B. McClain
HUMPHREY FARRINGTON MCCLAIN P.C.

Roland K. Tellis
BARON & BUDD P.C.

Defense Counsel

Shon Morgan
QUINN EMANUEL URQUHART & SULLIVAN LLP

Peter J. Brennan
JENNER & BLOCK LLP