Class Action Lawsuit: Kia Vehicle Theft Design Flaw

Kia Vehicle Theft Class Action Lawsuit

Settlement website | File a Claim

• The lawsuit seeks damages for cars that were improperly manufactured with a series of design flaws that make them susceptible to theft and damage. If you purchased or leased one of the Kia vehicles below and it was not equipped with an engine immobilizer, you might benefit from a class action settlement.

Who Is Eligible

The Settlement includes: all persons or entities who purchased or leased a Class Vehicle in the United States (including Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam).

• If I purchased or leased a Class Vehicle that has not been stolen or damaged, am I included?
  Yes, you did not have to experience a theft or attempted theft to be included in this Settlement. If you purchased or leased certain Class Vehicles, you are eligible to take advantage of the free Software Upgrade. You may also file a Claim for reimbursement for lost income or childcare expenses for the time spent getting the Software Upgrade, as well as reimbursement for the purchase of key fobs, if key fobs were purchased at the direction of Kia dealers as required for the implementation of the Software Upgrade. You may also file a Claim for reimbursement for the purchase of a steering wheel lock or equivalent device if that purchase was made at least thirty days before the Software Upgrade was available for your Class Vehicle.
• If you owned or leased a Class Vehicle that is not eligible for the Software Upgrade, you may file a Claim for reimbursement for purchase and/or installation of a steering wheel lock, glass breakage alarm or similar anti-theft system, or another aftermarket modification designed to deter or prevent theft. Class Members that owned or leased a Class Vehicle that is not eligible for the Software Upgrade that already received a steering wheel lock from Kia (for example, from a dealership or through law enforcement) are eligible for reimbursement for purchase and installation of a glass breakage alarm or similar anti-theft system, or another aftermarket modification designed to deter or prevent theft.

How Much

• Reimbursement of 60% of Black Book value of the Class Vehicle for the Total Loss of a Class Vehicle due to a Qualifying Theft or Qualifying Theft Attempt.
• Reimbursement of $3,375 or 33% of Black Book value of the Class Vehicle (whichever is greater) for Damage to a Class Vehicle and/or Damaged or Lost Personal Property due to a Qualifying Theft or Qualifying Theft Attempt.
• Reimbursement up to $375 for an Insurance Deductible Paid and/or an Increased Insurance Premium due to a Qualifying Theft or Qualifying Theft Attempt.
• Reimbursement up to $250 for other Out-of-Pocket Expenses due to a Qualifying Theft or Qualifying Theft Attempt.
• Reimbursement up to $250 for Lost Income and/or Childcare Costs in Obtaining the Software Upgrade for a Class Vehicle. NOTE: This is a benefit available only for Class Vehicles that had the Software Upgrade installed.
• Reimbursement Available for Class Vehicles Eligible for the Software Upgrade:
  • Reimbursement for a Key Fob Purchase made to receive the Software Upgrade (up to $350 per key fob, limit of 2 per Class Vehicle, if it was purchased at direction of a Hyundai dealership for the installation of the Software Upgrade).
  • Reimbursement up to $50 for the Qualifying Purchase of a Steering Wheel Lock for a Class Vehicle, which was made at least thirty (30) days before the Software Upgrade was available for the Class Vehicle.
• Reimbursement Available for Class Vehicles NOT Eligible for the Software Upgrade:
  • Reimbursement up to $300 for the Qualifying Purchase of a Steering Wheel Lock and/or a Glass Breakage Alarm or Similar Anti-Theft System or Another Aftermarket Modification Designed to Deter or Prevent Theft for a Class Vehicle.

Important Dates

• July 15, 2024 at 1:30 PM PDT – Settlement Fairness Hearing
• January 11, 2025 – Claim Submission Deadline

Our Verdict

Most Kia owners already know that they can get the fix from a Kia dealership to take care of the security flaw. This lawsuit will reimburse others kinds of expenses as well – I know people who incurred costs due to the Kia issues, such as broken windshields and steering wheel lock purchases. Not clear to me how someone knows if their insurance was higher due to the Kia security flaw. I also found interesting the reimbursement of “up to $250 for Lost Income and/or Childcare Costs” while getting the fix at the dealership.