By Megan Sayles
AFRO Staff Writer
msayles@afro.com
Washington, D.C. has obtained a settlement from Kia and Hyundai following the automakers’ failure to equip millions of vehicles with industry-standard anti-theft technology. The oversight gave way to a viral TikTok challenge in 2022 that demonstrated and encouraged the theft of certain Kia and Hyundai models across the country.
D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb announced the settlement, which involves the District and 34 other states, in December. As part of the agreement, Hyundai and Kia committed to provide up to $4.5 million in restitution to eligible drivers whose cars were damaged, ensure all future vehicles are armed with engine immobilizer anti-theft technology and supply free ignition-protecting hardware to eligible drivers.
“The bipartisan, multistate settlement will help prevent car thefts and block criminals from easily stealing cars to use in other criminal activity,” said Schwalb, in a statement. “Even after Kia and Hyundai’s vulnerabilities were publicly exposed, resulting in a public safety crisis, the companies continued to cut corners and failed to make necessary fixes. Now, nearly 8,200 Kia and Hyundai owners in D.C. are eligible to have free anti-theft hardware installed in their cars. I strongly encourage everyone who is eligible to schedule installation of these devices as soon as possible.”
Certain Hyundai and Kia models from 2011 to 2022 with traditional turn-to-start ignitions have been the primary target of thieves, who discovered a method to bypass the vehicles’ ignition systems using a USB cable. Had the vehicles been equipped with engine immobilizers, a standard anti-theft feature, this technique would not have worked.
Schwalb and the other attorneys general alleged that Hyundai and Kia made a business decision to omit the anti-theft technology. They also claimed that the resulting wave of thefts caused financial harm to vehicle owners and posed public safety threats, including collisions involving reckless drivers. In the settlement, Hyundai and Kia denied these assertions and any wrongdoing.
In 2023, the automakers launched public awareness campaigns to warn drivers and offer software updates to prevent theft. For drivers who did not qualify for the software update, they offered wheel locks. However, the AGs alleged that the software update was not effective and the ignition system could still be bypassed by thieves.
Under the multistate settlement, 2,560 Kias and 5,638 Hyundais are now eligible for free anti-theft device installation. Schwalb said owners will receive notice from the automakers and have one year to schedule an installation appointment at their local dealership.
He urged individuals to secure an appointment as soon as possible.
Drivers who received a software update but still experienced theft or attempted theft on or after April 29, 2025, can also file claims for restitution.
More information about eligibility and submitting claims can be found for Hyundai drivers at www.HKMultistateimmobilizersettlement.com and for Kia drivers at www.HKMultistateimmobilizersettlement.com.
