Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C., Announces Proposed Settlement in the Hyundai & Kia Vehicle Theft Litigation

Bragar Eagel & Squire is pleased to announce that a proposed settlement has been reached in a case against Hyundai & Kia for consumer car thefts.  The case involved the automakers’ failure to include anti-theft technology in certain vehicles.  Although anti-theft and immobilizer technology is standard for most car companies, Hyundai and Kia chose not to include it in certain makes and models of their cars in recent years.  Unfortunately, this became common knowledge through a TikTok trend, resulting in a rash of thefts nationwide.
 

In the case—In Re: Kia Hyundai Vehicle Theft Marketing, Sales Practices, and Products Liability Litigation, 8:22-ml-03052 (C.D. Cal.)—we had the privilege of representing four clients, two of whom were appointed as class representatives.  Under the proposed settlement, qualifying class members will be entitled to software upgrades to fix underlying technology problems.  Additionally, Hyundai and Kia will reimburse qualified costs, such as for anti-theft devices or repair costs for damages resulting from theft.  The proposed settlement covers approximately 9 million 2011-2022 Hyundai and Kia vehicles in the U.S and provides up to $145 million in out-of-pocket reimbursement costs.