BREAKING: Hyundai and Kia will offer free repairs for approximately 9 million vehicles in the U.S. as part of a major settlement announced by Minnesota’s Attorney General Keith Ellison today. This urgent action addresses critical flaws in anti-theft technology that have left these cars vulnerable to rampant theft, particularly since 2021 when social media tutorials revealed how to steal these vehicles easily.
The settlement, involving 35 states including California, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, could cost the automakers over $500 million. As part of the agreement, Hyundai and Kia must implement an engine immobilizer in all future U.S. models and provide up to $4.5 million in restitution to victims whose vehicles were stolen.
The rapid increase in thefts has been alarming, with Minneapolis reporting an astonishing 836% surge in incidents from 2021 to 2022. The rise in car thefts has been fueled by viral videos on TikTok and other platforms, showing how a simple screwdriver and USB cable could compromise these vehicles. Ellison’s investigation, launched earlier this year, highlighted that while Hyundai and Kia equipped their cars sold in Canada and Mexico with proper anti-theft measures, U.S. models lacked these critical protections.
At a press conference, Ellison stated, “This crisis started in a boardroom, traveled through the Internet, and ended up in tragic results.” He was joined by victims of car theft, including a woman whose mother was killed in a crash involving a stolen Kia, emphasizing the severe human impact of this issue.
Under the terms of the settlement, Hyundai and Kia will provide a free repair involving a zinc sleeve to fortify the ignition cylinder against theft attempts. Eligible vehicle owners will have a window of one year from notification to receive this repair at authorized dealerships. The repair services are expected to be available from early 2026 through early 2027.
Kia issued a statement affirming its commitment to enhancing vehicle security and collaborating with law enforcement to combat car theft, particularly in light of social media’s role in encouraging these crimes. Hyundai has yet to respond with an official comment.
This is a developing story with significant implications for millions of vehicle owners across the country. As Hyundai and Kia act to rectify these vulnerabilities, affected customers should stay alert for further updates regarding repair timelines and eligibility.
