If your Hyundai or Kia was broken into or stolen after you received a software update, you could be compensated.
New York Attorney General Letitia James announced a $9 million settlement made with the two car manufacturers on Tuesday, Dec. 16, which could deliver over $220,000 to affected New Yorkers.
“Hyundai and Kia’s reckless decision to forgo anti-theft measures led to a wave of car thefts that had deadly consequences,” James said. “No one should have to fear for their lives on the road, and car companies have a responsibility to protect their customers from basic safety flaws.”
Here’s what to know.
What is the lawsuit about?
The ignition switches in all Hyundai and Kia vehicles made between 2011 and 2022 could be easily bypassed and the vehicles were missing engine immobilizers, according to the AG’s Office, which led to a rise in vehicle thefts nationwide.
Specifically in New York, Hyundai and Kia car thefts doubled from 2021 to 2022, over 1,400 Hyundais and Kias were stolen in Monroe County in the first half of 2023 and more than half of the cars stolen in Syracuse in the first seven months of 2023 were Hyundais or Kias, James said.
James and 35 other attorneys general across the country claim the companies waited until 2023 to take action, which included a service campaign to update the software on many of the affected vehicles and offering to install zinc sleeves that would help protect the affected vehicles from theft. However, the attorneys general also argue that the update could be and was bypassed by thieves.
The settlement requires both companies to do the following:
Am I eligible for a Hyundai and Kia settlement payment?
Possibly. If your Hyundai or Kia vehicle had already underwent the software upgrade or you had scheduled an appointment to get it installed and a theft or attempted theft occurred, you could be eligible for reimbursement for your losses, according to the settlement website.
The theft or attempted theft also had to have taken place between April 29, 2025, and March 31, 2027, but before your vehicle received the free zinc sleeve installation.
Which Hyundai and Kia vehicles are eligible?
All Hyundai and Kia vehicles manufactured between 2011 and 2022 that aren’t equipped with an immobilizer could be eligible. Here’s a more specific list:
Do I have to submit a claim?
Yes, and you should do it sooner rather than later as the funds are limited, the settlement website says.
How to submit a claim and what documentation you’ll need to provide
There are two ways to submit a claim − online or by mail. If you choose to mail in your claim form, the settlement website says to send it with some form of tracking and to retain a copy of both your form and the necessary documentation.
When filing a claim, be prepared to provide your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), the date of your software upgrade installation or scheduled installation appointment, information about the theft or attempted theft and proof of ownership, theft, total loss and any prior reimbursement.
When is the deadline to submit a claim?
If you want to file a claim, you’ll have to do so by March 31, 2027.
How much money will I get through the Hyundai and Kia settlement?
It depends. You may receive up to $4,500 for a total loss, up to $2,250 for a partial loss or up to $375 for reasonable expenses related to a qualifying theft attempt, according to the settlement website.
When will my payment be sent?
Reimbursement payments will be disbursed on a rolling basis within 90 days of your final determination notice.
Emily Barnes reports on consumer-related issues for the USA TODAY Network’s New York Connect Team, focusing on scam and recall-related topics. Follow her on X and Instagram @byemilybarnes. Get in touch at ebarnes@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Kia, Hyundai owners in NY may be entitled to settlement money. Which cars are eligible
Reporting by Emily Barnes, New York Connect Team / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
