Hyundai Motor America and Kia America, Inc. have reached an agreement to settle a class-action lawsuit involving certain Hyundai and Kia vehicles equipped with key ignition systems.
The settlement, announced on May 18, 2023, aims to address the concerns of owners affected by car theft incidents
It is important to note that this agreement does not cover vehicles with push-button ignition. The vehicles included in the settlement range from model years 2011 to 2022 and encompass various Hyundai and Kia models such as the Hyundai Accent, Elantra, Santa Fe, Tucson, and Genesis Coupe, as well as the Kia Forte, Optima, Soul, Sorento, and Sportage, among others.
Under the terms of the settlement, affected customers will be eligible for several forms of compensation. Firstly, those who experienced vehicle theft-related losses or damages not covered by insurance will receive cash compensation. Additionally, customers will be reimbursed for insurance deductibles and any increased premiums resulting from theft incidents. The settlement also provides reimbursement for other theft-related losses.
As part of the agreement, eligible vehicle owners will receive a free software upgrade
This upgrade will be automatically installed during any service or maintenance appointment at a dealership. However, for a subset of customers whose vehicles cannot accommodate the software upgrade, reimbursement of up to $300 will be provided for the purchase of various anti-theft devices.
It is important to note that the settlement is still pending approval from the court, which is expected to occur in July 2023. The recent announcement serves as a confirmation of the agreement reached between Hyundai, Kia, and the lawyers representing the class-action plaintiffs.
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