A preliminary settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit against Hyundai and Kia alleging certain vehicles are defective and prone to theft. The lawsuit covers over five million 2011-2022 model year vehicles that lack engine immobilizers, making them easier targets for theft. So easy, in fact, it became a viral TikTok trend last year. Here’s what to know about the settlement and what the next steps are for you to get your payments.
What the settlement covers
Attorneys at Hagens Berman announced court-granted preliminary approval for a revised settlement agreement estimated to bring up to $145 million or more in relief to Hyundai and Kia owners. This approval opens up the claims process for owners and lessees to receive compensation.
The court has granted preliminarily approval of the revised settlement agreement, and if and when it grants final approval, payments to class members can begin. According to the settlement website, notices will be mailed out no later than March 4, 2024 to class members outlining if they are eligible and how to file a claim. Email notices will also be sent where applicable.
The revised settlement provides various categories of relief, estimated to value up to $145 million or more in cash relief to class members. This relief includes the following:
Compensation for out-of-pocket losses. Class members may seek compensation from a settlement fund of up to $145 million for a range of out-of-pocket costs arising from the theft or attempted theft of an affected vehicle that were not otherwise covered by insurance.
Software upgrades. At no cost, owners and lessees of certain affected vehicles are eligible for a software upgrade to effectively address the lack of an immobilizer.
Payments in lieu of software upgrades. Owners and lessees of certain affected vehicles that are ineligible for the software upgrade can seek reimbursement up to $300 per claim for the purchase and installation of steering wheel locks, a glass breakage alarm or anti-theft system and other aftermarket modifications designed to deter or prevent theft.
Class members can input their VIN on the settlement website to see if their specific vehicle is included. Eligible models include certain years of Hyundai Accents, Elantras, Sonatas, and Santa Fe Sports, as well as Kia Rio, Forte, Optima, Sorento, and Soul vehicles.
Visit the Kia and Hyundai settlement sites for more specifics, or this Consumer Affairs coverage for a more detailed summary.
What this means for you
The final approval hearing for the settlement is scheduled for July 15, 2024. Payouts to claimants will depend on the judge’s final approval order and any appeals being resolved. This process could take months to finalize before settlement funds are distributed. The judge’s order on final approval could come at any time on or after this July date; only after an order granting final approval is issued, and any appeals are resolved, will settlement payments go out to claimants. Any appeals will delay these payments.
So what does this mean for you? Sit tight. Owners of the vehicles involved should be on the lookout for settlement notices by mail and email. The bottom line is that for those who incurred expenses related to theft of their Hyundai or Kia vehicle, this deal provides a way to potentially recover costs. More information is available on the settlement website and by contacting the claims administrator.
