If you thought buying a car was a safe investment… It probably was if you didn’t decide to buy a KIA or a Hyundai. As we told you, it turns out that millions of drivers who purchased vehicles from both companies between 2011 and 2025 could receive up to $3,375, as compensation for huge mistakes by these two automotive companies. We’re going to tell you everything below, but as a spoiler, we’ll tell you that this money is in response to a multi-million dollar legal agreement in which Kia and Hyundai will be forced to pay up to $145 million!!!
The Kia and Hyundai scandal, what happened?
You’ve probably heard that these vehicles do not have anti-theft systems in their models. It all happened with the famous “Kia Boys,” a group of American teenagers who found the “perfect” way to open some Kia and Hyundai models without the need for keys, or even forcing these vehicles. These teenagers started making TikTok videos opening these vehicles as a joke, they went viral, and robberies skyrocketed across the country following their steps.
How can they steal thousands of vehicles?
Very simply, these vehicles lack an engine immobilizer, a technology that prevents the car from starting if it does not have the original key, so, while other brands implemented these security measures, Kia and Hyundai used more conventional methods in most of their models (supposedly, to save some money on the manufacturing process of the vehicles). Of course, once this method of theft goes viral, it makes them a very easy target for any thief.
What did the users do?
Of course, an avalanche of lawsuits that both companies have agreed to pay without admitting guilt. Why? Because they want to avoid longer legal processes and losing more money on it, so they agree to compensate users so that everything is “forgotten.”
What money can you receive if you have a KIA or a Hyundai?
If you own one of these vehicles, the sums of money will depend on the damage you have suffered:
- Up to $3,375 if your vehicle was declared a total loss due to theft.
- An additional $375 if you had problems with the insurance company due to the theft.
- $250 reimbursement if you had extra expenses related to the theft.
- $50 to cover the purchase of a steering wheel lock or other anti-theft device.
Of course, you will have to document that your vehicle was purchased between 2011 and 2022, and, if you were the victim of theft or damage, the workshop reports that corroborate this.
KIA and Hyundai and their commitment to replacement
Of course, they have been forced to fix the affected vehicles of drivers in the United States to install the new anti-theft technology, so go to your dealer so they can fix the vehicle and redeem themselves for their mistakes. The best thing is that you won’t have to put a dollar out of your pocket because it will be paid by the brand!
Both companies need to find quick and easy solutions so that their reliability and commitment to the safety of their customers is not affected, and, although they are late, they are trying to do it as best as they can.
We’ll have to hope that Kia and Hyundai do better next time, but if your vehicle is included in this recall, don’t hesitate to claim what’s yours!