Some insurance companies announced last year 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, some social media posts claim there is a class action settlement for Hyundai and Kia theft losses. VERIFY reader MJ asked if that’s true.
THE QUESTION
Is the Hyundai and Kia class action settlement over theft losses real?
THE SOURCES
- Hagens Berman, a law firm representing the plaintiffs
- Hyundai settlement website
- Kia settlement website
- Hyundai Motor America
- Kia America
THE ANSWER
Yes, the Hyundai and Kia class action settlement over theft losses is real.
WHAT WE FOUND
Some Hyundai and Kia owners whose vehicles were stolen can participate in a class action lawsuit settlement.
Hyundai and Kia announced in May 2023 that they had reached a settlement to resolve a class action lawsuit over theft-related losses. Hagens Berman, a law firm representing the plaintiffs, said the settlement was preliminarily approved in court on Oct. 31, 2023.
People who are eligible for the settlement can expect to receive notices via email and mail with instructions on how to submit a claim by March 4, 2024. According to the Hyundai and Kia settlement websites, the deadline to submit a claim is Jan. 11, 2025.
The settlement provides an estimated $145 million in compensation for drivers’ “out-of-pocket costs arising from the theft or attempted theft of an affected vehicle” that was not covered by insurance, according to Hagens Berman. The lawsuit covers approximately 9 million Hyundai and Kia vehicles, the law firm said in May 2023.
Hagens Berman says payment amounts will vary based on the “eligible losses drivers have incurred."
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,” Hagens Berman said.
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
- 2013-2020 Elantra GT
- 2013-2014 Elantra Coupe
- 2011-2012 Elantra Touring
- 2011-2014 Genesis Coupe
- 2018-2022 Kona
- 2020-2021 Palisade
- 2011-2022 Santa Fe
- 2013-2018 Santa Fe Sport
- 2019 Santa Fe XL
- 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
- 2011-2022 Soul
- 2011-2022 Sorento
- 2011-2022 Sportage
Payments will go out after the settlement receives final approval. That hearing is currently scheduled for July 15, 2024.
The VERIFY team works to separate fact from fiction so that you can understand what is true and false. Please consider subscribing to our daily newsletter, text alerts and our YouTube channel. You can also follow us on Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. Learn More »
