• Kia and Hyundai have been dealing for years with social media movies that present how simple it’s to steal a few of their fashions and encourage others to offer it a shot.
• Round 9 million principally base trim Kia and Hyundai autos are affected, and their house owners have been supplied steering wheel locks and different anti-theft units up to now. 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 difficulty.

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 can even reimburse Hyundai and Kia house owners for any losses as a consequence of paying insurance coverage deductibles, greater 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 simple it was to steal some Hyundai and Kia autos constructed with out push-button ignitions or an immobilizer, a tool that stops the automobile from transferring if a key fob will not 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 greater within the first half of 2021, whilst the general rise in thefts was simply 2.5 instances greater.

In accordance with Reuters, the $200 million settlement will cowl roughly 9 million Hyundai and Kia autos, with as much as $145 million put aside to cowl clients’ out-of-pocket losses. Kia and Hyundai mentioned they count on the court docket to approve the settlement preliminarily in July.

Steering Wheel Locks Have been Solely a Stopgap

Hyundai and Kia have spent years offering stopgap answer after stopgap answer, 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 house owners who misplaced protection from different suppliers as soon as it grew to become clear how simple it was to steal one in all 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 automobile and agrees to the deal will get that free software program improve mechanically put in on their subsequent service go to at a supplier. If the software program cannot be put in, the house owners will stand up to $300 to purchase their selection of anti-theft units.

Round 9 million Kia and Hyundai autos have been probably affected by the Kia Problem. The checklist of affected autos is beneath, with the easy-to-steal variations principally the entry-level trims that didn’t have push-button ignitions. There are web sites for Kia house owners and Hyundai house owners to get extra details about their particular automobile.

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 automobile critiques have appeared within the New York Instances, Automotive Information, Reuters, SAE, Autoblog, InsideEVs, Vehicles.com, Automobile 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 trade, however for the world as a complete. Throw within the latest shift to autonomous autos, and there are extra fascinating adjustments occurring now than most individuals can wrap their heads round. You’ll find him on Twitter or, on good days, behind the wheel of a brand new EV.