Hyundai and Kia reach lawsuit settlement over thefts

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The proposed settlement could be valued at about $200 million and includes approximately 9 million Hyundai and Kia vehicles.

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Some insurance companies announced in February 2023 that they would no longer issue new policies in some areas for certain Hyundai and Kia vehicles due to an uptick in thefts.

The National Crime Insurance Bureau said Hyundai and Kia thefts surged throughout the U.S. in 2022 due in part to “how-to” social media videos that provided instructions for stealing the vehicles.

Now, recent social media posts claim Hyundai and Kia have agreed to settle a class action lawsuit over theft losses. VERIFY reader MJ asked if that’s true.

THE QUESTION

Have Hyundai and Kia settled a class action lawsuit over theft losses?

THE SOURCES

THE ANSWER

Yes, Hyundai and Kia have settled a class action lawsuit over theft losses.

WHAT WE FOUND

Hyundai and Kia announced on May 19 that they have reached a settlement to resolve a class action lawsuit over theft-related losses.

The settlement, which still needs to receive preliminary approval from a judge, could be valued at about $200 million, depending on how many customers choose to participate. It includes approximately 9 million Hyundai and Kia vehicles.

Under the settlement agreement, customers who suffered “theft-related vehicle losses or damage not covered by insurance” will receive cash compensation, in addition to reimbursement for insurance deductibles, increased insurance premiums and other losses, Hyundai and Kia said.

The lawsuit stems from Hyundai and Kia failing to equip 2011-2022 models with an anti-theft device called an immobilizer, which “prevents most vehicles from being started unless a code is transmitted from the vehicle’s smart key,” according to court-appointed attorneys for the class action lawsuit.

In addition to the lack of immobilizers, the lawsuit claims that other design flaws in the vehicles allow thieves to steal them in less than 90 seconds.

These Hyundai vehicles are included in the settlement:

2011-2012 Accent
2011-2022 Elantra
2013-2017 Elantra GT
2013-2014 Elantra Coupe
2011-2012 Elantra Touring
2011-2014 Genesis Coupe
2018-2022 Kona
2020-2021 Palisade
2011-2012, 2019-2022 Santa Fe
2013-2018, 2019 Santa Fe; Santa Fe XL
2013-2018 Santa Fe Sport
2011-2019 Sonata
2011-2022 Tucson
2012-2017, 2019-2021 Veloster
2020-2021 Venue
2011-2012 Veracruz

These Kia vehicles are included in the settlement:

2011-2021 Forte
2021-2022 K5
2011-2020 Optima
2011-2021 Rio
2011-2021 Sedona
2021-2022 Seltos
2010-2022 Soul
2011-2022 Sorento
2011-2022 Sportage

Lawyers say the settlement agreement will provide up to $145 million for out-of-pocket losses, including total loss of vehicles up to $6,125, damage to a vehicle and personal property up to $3,375, and other related expenses.

Eligible owners of impacted vehicles will also receive a free software upgrade to address their lack of an immobilizer. Owners of vehicles that cannot accommodate the software upgrade will be eligible for reimbursement of up to $300 for various anti-theft devices under the agreement.

Hyundai and Kia said a judge is expected to review the proposed settlement for preliminary approval in July 2023.

Settlement websites will “soon be made available” to class members for more information, the lawyers said.