- Kia and Hyundai have been dealing for years with social media movies that present how straightforward it’s to steal a few of their fashions and encourage others to offer it a shot.
- Round 9 million largely base trim Kia and Hyundai autos are affected, and their homeowners have been provided steering wheel locks and different anti-theft units previously. Learn on for a listing of affected fashions.
- The brand new settlement will price the automakers round $200 million, with $145 million put aside for patrons’ out-of-pocket losses as they’ve handled this subject.
The “Kia Problem” TikTok fad will price Hyundai and Kia one other $200 million.
The 2 automakers have agreed to pay an anticipated $200 million as compensation for patrons who had their vehicles stolen or broken in methods not lined by insurance coverage. The cash may also reimburse Hyundai and Kia homeowners for any losses as a consequence of paying insurance coverage deductibles, increased insurance coverage premiums, or different theft-related losses.
In early 2021, customers of the favored video-sharing website TikTok began seeing movies displaying simply how straightforward it was to steal some Hyundai and Kia autos constructed with out push-button ignitions or an immobilizer, a tool that stops the automotive from shifting if a key fob shouldn’t be detected. Earlier than going nationwide, the development began in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the place the variety of stolen Hyundai and Kia fashions was 25 instances increased within the first half of 2021, at the same time as the general rise in thefts was simply 2.5 instances increased.
Based on Reuters, the $200 million settlement will cowl roughly 9 million Hyundai and Kia autos, with as much as $145 million put aside to cowl prospects’ out-of-pocket losses. Kia and Hyundai mentioned they count on the courtroom to approve the settlement preliminarily in July.
Steering Wheel Locks Have been Solely a Stopgap
Hyundai and Kia have spent years offering stopgap resolution after stopgap resolution, together with free steering wheel locks and $170 anti-theft kits. In February, Kia and Hyundai mentioned a free safety software program replace would act like an immobilizer on autos with out them. In April, the automakers labored with AAA to supply insurance coverage for homeowners who misplaced protection from different suppliers as soon as it turned clear how straightforward it was to steal considered one of these autos.
2017 Kia Soul.
The $200 million settlement will cowl prices related to coping with these points for class-action individuals. As a part of the settlement, anybody who owns an eligible Hyundai or Kia car and agrees to the deal will get that free software program improve mechanically put in on their subsequent service go to at a seller. If the software program cannot be put in, the homeowners will rise up to $300 to purchase their alternative of anti-theft units.
Round 9 million Kia and Hyundai autos had been probably affected by the Kia Problem. The listing of affected autos is under, with the easy-to-steal variations largely the entry-level trims that didn’t have push-button ignitions. There are web sites for Kia homeowners and Hyundai homeowners to get extra details about their particular car.
Hyundai Fashions
- 2011–2022 Accent
- 2011–2022 Elantra
- 2013–2017 Elantra GT
- 2013–2014 Elantra Coupe
- 2011–2012 Elantra Touring
- 2011–2014 Genesis Coupe
- 2018–2022 Kona
- 2020–2021 Palisade
- 2011–2012, 2019–2022 Santa Fe
- 2013–2018, 2019 Santa Fe, Santa Fe XL
- 2013–2018 Santa Fe Sport
- 2011–2019 Sonata
- 2011–2022 Tucson
- 2012–2017, 2019–2021 Veloster
- 2020–2021 Venue
- 2011–2012 Veracruz
Kia Fashions
- 2011–2021 Forte
- 2021–2022 K5
- 2011–2020 Optima
- 2011–2021 Rio
- 2011–2021 Sedona
- 2021–2022 Seltos
- 2010–2022 Soul
- 2011–2022 Sorento
- 2011–2022 Sportage
Contributing Editor
Sebastian Blanco has been writing about electrical autos, hybrids, and hydrogen vehicles since 2006. His articles and automotive critiques have appeared within the New York Instances, Automotive Information, Reuters, SAE, Autoblog, InsideEVs, Vans.com, Automotive Speak, and different shops. His first green-car media occasion was the launch of the Tesla Roadster, and since then he has been monitoring the shift away from gasoline-powered autos and discovering the brand new know-how’s significance not only for the auto business, however for the world as a complete. Throw within the current shift to autonomous autos, and there are extra fascinating modifications taking place now than most individuals can wrap their heads round. You will discover him on Twitter or, on good days, behind the wheel of a brand new EV.