Kia vehicle theft $145M class action settlement

Hyundai Motor Co., Kia Corp. and other defendants agreed to a settlement of up to $145 million to resolve a class action lawsuit that Hyundai improperly manufactured Kia vehicles with design flaws that left them vulnerable to theft and damage.

The class is made up of all individuals and entities who purchased or leased one of the following vehicles in the United States, including Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam:

• 2011-2021 Kia Forte
• 2021-2022 Kia K5
• 2011-2020 Kia Optima
• 2012-2021 Kia Rio
• 2011-2021 Kia Sedona
• 2021-2022 Kia Seltos
• 2011-2022 Kia Sorrento
• 2020-2022 Kia Soul
• 2011-2022 Kia Sportage

The Kia theft class action lawsuit settlement does not release any past, present or future claims for personal injury, death and subrogation by licensed insurers.

Several class action lawsuits alleged Hyundai did not equip Kia vehicles with an engine immobilizer, making them susceptible to theft and damage.

Hyundai Motor Group, based in South Korea, owns the Genesis, Hyundai and Kia brands.

The defendants have not admitted wrongdoing but agreed to a settlement to resolve the claims.

Under the Kia theft settlement terms, class members can claim various benefits.

Certain class vehicles are eligible for a free software upgrade that will prevent vehicles locked with a key or key fob from starting without the key being present using a method that gained popularity on TikTok and other social media platforms.

Class members who purchased or leased these vehicles are eligible for reimbursement of up to $50 per vehicle for the purchase of a steering wheel lock or similar device if they made the purchase at least 30 days before the software upgrade was available for the class vehicle.

Within the 50 states and Washington, D.C., the following vehicles are eligible for the software upgrade:

• 2014-2021 Kia Forte
• 2021-2022 Kia K5
• 2011-2020 Kia Optima
• 2012-2021 Kia Rio
• 2011-2021 Kia Sedona
• 2021-2022 Kia Seltos
• 2011-2022 Kia Sorento
• 2020-2022 Kia Soul
• 2011-2022 Kia Sportage

Class vehicles in Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam are not eligible to receive the software upgrade. 

Consumers can use their VIN to check whether their vehicle is eligible.

Class members should visit the Kia website to verify whether their vehicle is eligible for the software upgrade and schedule an installation appointment.

Class members who purchased or leased class vehicles that are not eligible for the software upgrade may receive reimbursement of up to $300 per class vehicle for the purchase and/or installation of a steering wheel lock, glass-breakage alarm or similar anti-theft system or aftermarket modification designed to deter or prevent theft.

Those who already received a steering wheel lock from Kia may receive reimbursement of up to $250 per class vehicle for the purchase and installation of a glass-breakage alarm or similar anti-theft system or aftermarket modification designed to deter or prevent theft.

All class vehicles in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam are eligible to receive this benefit. 

Within the 50 states and Washington, D.C., the following class vehicles are not eligible to receive the software upgrade and, therefore, are eligible to receive this benefit:

• 2011-2015 Kia Forte
• 2011-2021 Kia Rio
• 2011-2021 Kia Soul
• 2011-2014 Kia Sportage
• 2014 Kia Sedona

If a class vehicle originally on this list becomes eligible for the software upgrade, the purchase of the steering wheel lock, glass-breakage alarm or similar anti-theft system will not be eligible for reimbursement under this benefit as of 30 days after the postmarked date of the mailed class member eligibility notice.

A common fund of $80 million to $145 million is being established to pay class member claims. 

Class members with a class vehicle may make claims for certain out-of-pocket and uncompensated losses resulting from a class vehicle that received the software upgrade and/or experienced a qualifying theft or theft attempt. “Qualifying theft” refers to the theft of a vehicle through forcible entry and an ignition system breach, while “qualifying theft attempt” refers to forcible entry of the class vehicle and either attempted dismantling of the steering column or attempted breach of the ignition system. Eligible losses include:

• Reimbursement of up to 60% of the Black Book value for the total loss of a class vehicle resulting from a qualifying theft or theft attempt
• Reimbursement of up to $3,375 or 33%, whichever is greater, for damage to a class vehicle resulting from each qualifying theft or theft attempt and/or for the value of personal property stolen or damaged during a qualifying theft or theft attempt 
• Reimbursement of up to $375 for insurance deductibles paid and increased insurance premiums for policies that include theft coverage resulting from a qualifying theft or theft attempt 
• Reimbursement of up to $250 for other expenses — such as towing costs, transportation expenses, expenses that result from tickets, etc. — that result from a qualifying theft or theft attempt
• Reimbursement of up to $250 total for lost income and child care expenses (combined) resulting from time spent obtaining the software upgrade
• Reimbursement of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) key fobs purchased at the direction of a Kia dealership because these were necessary to implement the software upgrade; this reimbursement is capped at $350 per key fob for up to two key fobs per class vehicle

The deadline to opt out of or object to the settlement is May 3, 2024.

The final fairness hearing in the Kia theft class action lawsuit settlement is July 15, 2024.

The deadline to submit a claim is Jan. 11, 2025.

Who’s Eligible

All individuals and entities who purchased or leased one of the following vehicles in the United States, including Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam:

1. 2011-2021 Kia Forte
2. 2021-2022 Kia K5
3. 2011-2020 Kia Optima
4. 2012-2021 Kia Rio
5. 2011-2021 Kia Sedona
6. 2021-2022 Kia Seltos
7. 2011-2022 Kia Sorrento
8. 2020-2022 Kia Soul
9. 2011-2022 Kia Sportage

Potential Award

Varies

Proof of Purchase

Required documentation differs depending on the type of claim the class member submits. See the claim form for details.

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

01/11/2025

Case Name

In re: Kia Hyundai Vehicle Theft Marketing, Sales Practices, and Products Liability Litigation, Case No. 8:22-ML-3052 JVS(KESx), in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

Final Hearing

07/15/2024

Settlement Website

KiaTheftSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Kia Hyundai Vehicle Theft Settlement Administrator
P.O. Box 6609
East Brunswick, NJ08816
844-966-2773

Class Counsel

Steve W Berman 
HAGENS BERMAN SOBOL SHAPIRO LLP

Elizabeth A Fegan
FEGAN SCOTT LLC

Kenneth B McClain 
HUMPHREY FARRINGTON & MCCLAIN PC

Roland Tellis 
BARON & BUDD PC

Defense Counsel

Shon Morgan
QUINN EMANUEL URQUHART & SULLIVAN LLP