Settled, paying · closes March 31, 2027
Hyundai and Kia immobilizer multistate settlement, who it covers now
Last checked July 24, 2026
In re: Kia Hyundai Vehicle Theft Litigation grew out of a multistate investigation into 2011 to 2022 Hyundai and Kia vehicles sold without engine immobilizers, a standard anti-theft part that had been required in Europe for years. In 2022 the "Kia Boyz" videos showed how to start those cars without a key, and thefts spiked nationwide.
This $9 million multistate settlement is separate from the $145 million national class settlement approved in 2024. It covers thefts and attempts on or after April 29, 2025, in cars that had already received the software fix. Claims are due March 31, 2027.
What the states alleged
The investigating states argued that selling cars without immobilizers left owners exposed to a known, easily exploited weakness. Hyundai and Kia answered with a free software upgrade that requires the key in the ignition before the engine turns over, plus a zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protector. The settlement funds restitution for owners whose upgraded cars were still targeted, with $4.5 million of the $9 million set aside for consumers.
Who can file under this settlement
- You own or lease a 2011 to 2022 Hyundai or Kia that was not built with an engine immobilizer.
- Your car received the free software upgrade, or you had an appointment booked for it.
- A theft or attempted theft happened on or after April 29, 2025, and before either the zinc sleeve was installed or March 31, 2027, whichever came first.
- Thefts before April 29, 2025 belong to the earlier national settlement, not this one.
Three claim types and their paperwork
Total loss, up to $4,500, needs your insurer's total-loss letter, proof you paid the deductible, and records of other theft-related costs. Partial loss, up to $2,250, needs an insurer letter confirming partial loss plus expense records. Attempted theft, up to $375, needs a police report and receipts. Every claim type requires documents.
Filing and what comes next
The settlement administrator accepts claims at HKMultistateImmobilizerSettlement.com. Pick your claim type, upload the documents, and save the confirmation number. The administrator reviews each claim against the eligibility rules and the caps above, then issues payment for approved claims.
The two security upgrades, the software update and the ignition cylinder protector, are free from a dealer regardless of whether you file. Filing itself is free. Payout, a free discovery app, lists this settlement as an optional way to keep track of it.
Questions about the Hyundai & Kia Theft Immobilizer case
My Kia was stolen in 2023. Is this the right settlement?
No. Thefts before April 29, 2025 fall under the $145 million national class settlement approved in 2024. This multistate settlement covers thefts on or after that date.
What is the deadline for the Hyundai Kia immobilizer settlement?
March 31, 2027. Submit online at HKMultistateImmobilizerSettlement.com.
Is proof required?
Yes. Total and partial loss claims need insurer letters and deductible proof; attempted theft claims need a police report and receipts.
Do I have to file to get the anti-theft upgrades?
No. The software update and zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protector are free for eligible vehicles whether or not you submit a claim.
There are more like this open right now
Payout tracks the whole docket and files the settled ones you qualify for. Free.