Kia & Hyundai have been subjected to a large amount of legal scrutiny over the past few months as a result of a class action lawsuit about the theft of vehicles.
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An unprecedented settlement of $145 Million has been reached as a result of this action, which has garnered attention from the automotive industry as well as from individual consumers.
This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the case, the settlement, and the implications for those who own vehicles.
$145 Million Kia & Hyundai Anti-Theft Class Action Settlement 2024
Specifically, the allegations that certain types of Kia and Hyundai automobiles were especially prone to theft are at the heart of the class action complaint.
In their lawsuit, the plaintiffs alleged that the automobiles in question, especially those manufactured between the years 2011 and 2021, lacked essential anti-theft technology, which made them more appealing targets for thieves.
This vulnerability was increased, according to the lawsuit, by the absence of engine immobilizers, which are a typical anti-theft component in a lot of other vehicles.
After films that demonstrated how simple it would be to steal these automobiles began to circulate on various social media platforms, the issue received a great deal of attention from members of the general public.
The situation was especially troubling because it was not a singular occurrence; rather, it affected a significant number of automobiles, which resulted in a rise in the number of cars that were stolen and the number of insurance claims filed.
Overview of $145 Million Kia & Hyundai Anti-Theft Class Action Settlement 2024
| Aspect | Details |
| Settlement Amount | $145 Million |
| Issue | Vehicles were vulnerable to theft due to lack of anti-theft technology |
| Affected Models | Kia & Hyundai vehicles from 2011 to 2021 |
| Compensation | Reimbursement for theft-related losses, costs for anti-theft devices, and potential cash settlements |
| Security Measures | Enhanced security features, including engine immobilizers and retrofits for existing models |
| Legal Costs | Includes legal fees and administrative expenses |
| Impact on Vehicle Owners | Financial relief, improved security in future vehicles |
| Broader Implications | Highlights the need for advanced anti-theft technology and may influence industry standards. |
Procedures for the Submission of Claims for Hyundai and KIA Cards
Follow these steps to submit a claim by the settlement:
- To determine whether or not your car qualifies as a class vehicle, you can check the eligibility of your vehicle by going to the Official Settlement Website and entering your car Identification Number (VIN).
Gather the Documentation That Is Required:
- The evidence of ownership or the lease.
- There should be documentation of any theft or attempted theft instances if they are relevant.
- Any out-of-pocket expenses that are associated with theft attempts, such as insurance deductibles and replacement prices for stolen products, should be documented with receipts or invoices wherever possible.
- Use the Claim Form to Fill It Out — You have the option of requesting a paper form from the claims administrator or accessing the claim form on the website of the settlement. Please ensure that the form is filled out accurately, providing all of the necessary information and attachments.
- The Claim Form Can Be Submitted You have the option of submitting your completed claim form either online through the settlement website or by mail to the address that has been assigned.
Time details of the Settlement for the Theft of KIA Hyundai Vehicles
| Event | Date | Description |
| Lawsuit Filed | 2022 | Filing of the class action lawsuit over missing engine immobilizers and increased theft risk. |
| Preliminary Settlement Agreement | Mid-2023 | Parties reach an initial agreement on the terms of the settlement. |
| Preliminary Approval by Court | Late 2023 | The court grants preliminary approval, enabling notification to class members to begin. |
| Exclusion/Opt-Out and Objection Deadline | May 3, 2024 | Deadline for class members to exclude themselves or object to the settlement terms. |
| Final Approval Hearing | July 15, 2024 | Court hearing to consider and potentially grant final approval of the settlement. |
| Claim Submission Deadline | January 11, 2025 | The final date for eligible class members to submit compensation claims. |
| Claims Processing and Distribution | Post-January 2025 | Start of the processing of claims and subsequent distribution of settlement benefits. |
Details Regarding Compensation
As a result of the absence of an engine immobilizer, which made the vehicles simpler to steal, the compensation that is being offered through the KIA Hyundai Vehicle Theft Settlement is intended to address a variety of different types of financial damage that the owners or lessees of such vehicles have experienced.
About the precise sorts of compensation that are available under this settlement, the following is a breakdown:
- Up to sixty per cent of the car’s Black Book value will be compensated if the vehicle is fully lost as a result of theft.
- Any amount that is larger than $3,375 or 33 per cent of the total damage costs that were incurred as a result of each stolen or attempted theft offence. The value of any personal item that is lost, stolen, or damaged as a result of such situations is likewise covered by this.
Additional Expenses Reimbursements will be provided.
- Insurance deductibles amounting to up to $375 that were paid as a result of theft or attempted theft.
- Insurance protection against premium increases that are incurred as a consequence of filing a theft claim.
- Up to $250 for costs associated with the theft or attempted theft, including transportation, towing, and fines that were incurred as a result of the incident.
- Up to $250 in total for missed income and childcare expenditures combined, which were incurred as a result of the time spent addressing the aftermath of the theft or acquiring the software upgrade.
Device Installation for Anti-Theft Measures
Financial assistance for the purchase and installation of anti-theft devices like steering wheel locks, glass breakage alarms, and other similar solutions. Reimbursement amounts can climb as high as $300 per class car for those who made such purchases before the availability of the software upgrade.
Further reimbursements for such devices are limited to a maximum of $250, even if KIA provides a steering wheel lock.
Details of the Settlement
To resolve the class action lawsuit, Kia & Hyundai reached an agreement in August 2024 to settle the case for 145 million dollars.
The settlement was considered an important step in resolving the concerns of impacted consumers and rectifying the vulnerabilities connected to vehicle security, even though the manufacturers did not accept guilt even though they reached an agreement.
- The settlement includes provisions for longer warranties and other support for impacted automobiles. Additionally, the deal ensures that affected vehicles will receive support. The purpose of this extension is to give customers who own automobiles the peace of mind and certainty that their vehicles will be protected from any problems that may arise in the future that are related to them.
- Educational Programmes: Kia & Hyundai will also provide funding for educational programmes that will educate vehicle owners on the most effective methods for ensuring the safety of their vehicles and the measures they may take to prevent theft of their vehicles. Consumers will be able to gain a better understanding of how to improve the safety of their vehicles and eliminate the possibility of theft through the implementation of these services.
- Legal and Administrative Expenses: The settlement also includes provisions for the payment of legal fees and administrative expenses that were incurred as a result of the class action litigation. This ensures that the legal team representing the plaintiffs, as well as any other administrative expenses, are accounted for, which enables the matter to be resolved in a more smoothly organized manner.
Final Thoughts
The settlement of a class action lawsuit between Kia & Hyundai, which was worth $145 Million, and the owners of impacted vehicles represent an important occasion in the history of automobiles.
It answers significant concerns regarding the theft of vehicles and follows a larger trend toward increased security in the automobile sector.
Consumers have the opportunity to seek compensation and the certainty that measures are being taken to improve the safety of their vehicles.
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The implementation of the settlement will be constantly reviewed as it proceeds forward to ensure that it achieves its goals and offers significant relief to those who have been affected by it.
Calista Embry is a finance journalist who graduated from Johns Hopkins University. She has a passion for writing and researching the impact of finance on social life.
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