Hyundai, Kia Settle TikTok Theft Lawsuit for $200M: Here's What You Can Get
If you own a 2011 through 2022 model Hyundai or Kia, you could be in for a payout.
The car makers this week agreed(Opens in a new window) to settle a class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of owners who had their cars stolen or damaged thanks to a flaw that let would-be thieves start them using only a screwdriver and USB cable.
The bug made the rounds on TikTok, fueling a wave of stolen cars. In the Chicago area, thefts rose 767%, the Chicago Police Department said(Opens in a new window) in August, while in Los Angeles, Hyundai and Kia thefts made up almost 20% of all car thefts in the city last year.
In February, Kia and Hyundai released a free software update to stop the thefts and also handed out steering wheel locks. Some cars, however, didn't support the software update, while others sustained damages that were not covered by insurance, prompting the class-action lawsuit.
Kia and Hyundai have now settled that suit for approximately $200 million, and agreed to:
Provide cash to customers who incurred theft-related vehicle losses or damage not covered by insurance, in addition to reimbursement for insurance deductibles, increased insurance premiums, and other theft-related losses.
Install the software upgrade automatically during service or maintenance appointments.
$300 for those whose cars don't support the software upgrade to buy an anti-theft device.
The settlement covers 9 million Hyundai and Kia vehicles (models listed below). Both companies have already handed out 65,000 steering wheel locks via law enforcement and direct shipments.
The court still needs to okay the deal; it's up for preliminary approval in July. Notices will go out to car owners once it gets final approval.
2011-2022 Accent
2011-2022 Elantra
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