Hyundai and Kia engine immobilizer multistate settlement

A coalition of 36 state attorneys general settled with Hyundai and Kia on December 16, 2025 over millions of vehicles sold without industry-standard engine immobilizers, the missing part the attorneys general tie to a nationwide spike in thefts. If you installed the free anti-theft software update, or had an appointment booked for it, and your vehicle was still stolen or broken into on or after April 29, 2025, you may be eligible to claim theft-related expenses from a restitution fund of up to $4.5 million. Eligible owners can also have a zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protector fitted free at an authorized dealer, within a year of being notified. The attorneys general's announcements do not state a deadline for restitution claims, so check the settlement site for current dates. Filing there is free.

Facts from the official materials

Status: Open
Type: State attorney-general restitution
Category: Vehicles
Defendant / company: Hyundai Motor America and Kia America, Inc.
Administrator: HK Multistate Immobilizer Settlement administrator (the attorneys general do not name the firm)
Claim deadline: See official notice
Eligibility period: From April 29, 2025
States: See official notice (often nationwide)
Proof: Receipts or payment records may be required
Possible amount: Documented losses, from a $4.5M fund
Source confidence: medium
Last verified: September 14, 2026

Covered vehicles

Hyundai vehicles sold without a factory engine immobilizer
Kia vehicles sold without a factory engine immobilizer

Model and year are a starting point, not a decision — coverage usually turns on the individual vehicle. Check yours on the official claim page, which is where any VIN lookup lives.

The companies are putting up to $4.5 million toward restitution for theft and attempted-theft expenses, and a separate $4.5 million toward the states' investigation costs. Neither the attorneys general nor the announcements state a per-person amount, so any figure is an estimate and turns on what you can document and how many people claim. A second remedy runs alongside the money: a zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protector fitted free at an authorized dealer, which eligible owners have one year from the date the companies notify them to book.

Hyundai and Kia engine immobilizer multistate settlement

Facts from the official materials

Eligibility questions

Related records