Kia Hyundai Theft Settlement: Up to $145 Million, Claims Closed, Payments Held Up by Supreme Court Petition

The lawsuit, In re: Kia Hyundai Vehicle Theft Marketing, Sales Practices, and Products Liability Litigation, is multidistrict litigation No. 3052 before U.S. District Judge James V. Selna in Santa Ana, California. It alleges that certain 2011 to 2022 Hyundai and Kia vehicles with traditional turn-key ignitions were built without an engine immobilizer, a device that stops the engine from starting without the correct key, which made them easy to steal. Thieves learned to open the steering column and start the car with a USB cable, a method that spread on social media as the "Kia Challenge."

The settlement website says no party has been found liable. The companies settled to provide benefits to owners and lessees. Hagens Berman, co-lead counsel, says the settlement includes up to $145 million for out-of-pocket losses and has a total value of more than $200 million once the free software upgrade and other benefits are counted.

According to the Washington Attorney General, only 26% of the vehicles Kia and Hyundai sold in the U.S. in 2015 had engine immobilizers, compared with 96% of vehicles sold by other manufacturers. For the broader litigation, see our Hyundai and Kia lawsuit page.

The class is all persons or entities who purchased or leased a Class Vehicle in the United States, including Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam. You did not need to have had a theft to be in the class, but you needed a qualifying loss or purchase to claim money.

The full list, including the Elantra GT, Elantra Coupe, Elantra Touring, Genesis Coupe, Palisade, Santa Fe Sport, Santa Fe XL, Veloster, Venue, Veracruz, K5, and Seltos, is on the official Hyundai and Kia settlement websites. Only vehicles built without an immobilizer count.

The class does not cover personal injury, death, or insurer subrogation claims, and those are not released. Hyundai and Kia companies and their affiliates are excluded.

The settlement paid set amounts by type of loss, subject to proof. From the common fund, available to all class members:

Separate reimbursements covered costs tied to the free software upgrade: up to $350 per key fob (two per vehicle) if a dealer required one, up to $250 for lost income or childcare to get the upgrade, and up to $50 for a steering wheel lock bought at least 30 days before the upgrade was available. Owners of vehicles that could not get the software upgrade could claim up to $300 for a steering wheel lock, glass breakage alarm, or similar anti-theft device.

Every claim required proof of ownership and proof of any prior reimbursement, plus documents such as a police report, insurance records, or receipts depending on the benefit. The FAQ says anti-theft device purchase claims are paid as approved after the settlement takes effect, and common fund claims are paid after all claims are processed.

Payments cannot start until the settlement becomes effective, which requires every appeal to end. Here is the path so far, from the official website and class counsel's updates:

1. October 1, 2024: the district court granted final approval. Objectors appealed.
2. November 19, 2025: a Ninth Circuit panel heard argument from two objectors.
3. January 8, 2026: the Ninth Circuit issued two decisions affirming final approval.
4. 2026: one objector asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review the settlement.

As of July 7, 2026, class counsel projected that the Supreme Court would decide in October 2026 whether to take the appeal. If the Court declines, the settlement can become effective and payments can begin. If it grants review, payments would wait for a decision. The settlement website lists payment issuance as "TBD." For why a single objector can hold up millions of payments, see how long class actions take.

If you filed, keep your contact details current with the administrator (Hyundai claims: 833-982-3330) so a payment can reach you once the appeals end. See how to check a settlement's status.

In December 2025, Hyundai and Kia settled with 36 state attorneys general. That settlement provides up to $4.5 million in restitution for owners whose cars are damaged by thieves, plus free zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protectors. It is separate from the class action and still open.

• Who: owners of eligible models whose vehicle had the software upgrade installed, or an appointment scheduled, at the time of the theft or attempt.
• When: thefts or attempts on or after April 29, 2025, and before the earlier of the zinc sleeve installation or March 31, 2027.
• How much: up to $4,500 for a total loss, up to $2,250 for a partial loss, and up to $375 for expenses from an attempted theft.
• Where: HKMultistateImmobilizerSettlement.com. Funds are paid on a rolling basis until exhausted, so file promptly.

Get the free zinc sleeve installed at any Hyundai or Kia dealer; it is different from the software upgrade. If a theft led to injuries or major uncovered losses, a free case review can connect you with independent attorneys, since injury claims were not released by the class settlement.

If your stolen car was declared a total loss and you think the insurer underpaid, see the State Farm total loss settlement and our page on total loss car payouts. More open settlements are on our open settlements page. Class action updates will appear on the official Hyundai and Kia settlement websites linked above.