Hyundai and Kia have agreed to a nationwide settlement that will require them to provide free anti-theft repairs to millions of vehicle owners across the United States. The agreement, announced Tuesday by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, follows a multistate investigation into claims that the automakers failed to equip certain models with standard anti-theft technology.
The settlement applies to roughly 9 million Hyundai and Kia vehicles sold between 2011 and 2022 and could cost the companies more than $500 million in repairs.
What Prompted the Settlement
At the center of the case is the absence of engine immobilizers, a common security feature that prevents a vehicle from starting without the correct key. While Hyundai and Kia included this technology in vehicles sold in markets like Canada and Mexico, many U.S. models were left without it.
That gap became widely known in 2021, when videos circulated on TikTok and other platforms showing how easily some Hyundai and Kia vehicles could be stolen using basic tools like a screwdriver and a USB cable. Theft rates surged soon after.
In Minneapolis alone, thefts involving Hyundai and Kia vehicles jumped 836% between 2021 and 2022, according to state officials. Similar spikes were reported in other cities nationwide.
What the Automakers Must Do
Under the terms of the settlement, Hyundai and Kia will:
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Offer free anti-theft repairs to all eligible vehicle owners
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Install a zinc sleeve designed to prevent ignition cylinder tampering
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Equip all future U.S. vehicles with engine immobilizers as standard
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Pay up to $4.5 million in restitution to affected vehicle owners
The repairs will be performed at authorized dealerships. Customers will have one year from the date they are notified to schedule the fix. Repairs are expected to roll out starting in early 2026 and continue through early 2027.
Scope of the Agreement
The settlement was reached with 35 states, including California, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Minnesota led the effort after launching a formal investigation in early 2023.
Attorney General Ellison emphasized the real-world consequences of the security lapse, pointing to crashes, injuries, and deaths linked to stolen vehicles. Speaking at a press conference, he described the crisis as one that “started in a boardroom, traveled through the internet, and ended in tragic results.”
Victims and local officials joined Ellison at the announcement, including a woman whose mother was killed in a crash involving a stolen Kia and a man whose vehicle had been stolen nine times, even after a prior software update.
Automakers Respond
In separate statements, both companies said the settlement is part of broader efforts to address vehicle theft.
Kia said it remains committed to working with law enforcement at all levels to combat car theft and the role social media has played in encouraging it. Hyundai echoed that message, stating it will continue taking “meaningful action” to support customers and improve vehicle security.
For millions of owners affected by the Hyundai Kia theft settlement, the agreement marks a long-awaited step toward accountability, safety, and peace of mind.
