By Steve Levine
Published: February 24, 2026 · Updated: June 14, 2026
Earlier this year the case looked ready to pay out: class members who filed claims received approved claim amount notifications from the settlement administrator, with some claimants seeing approved amounts of $3,375 or more. Those approvals still stand — but the actual checks are now waiting on the Supreme Court.
The settlement stems from a class action lawsuit alleging that Hyundai Motor America and Kia Motors sold millions of 2011–2022 model year vehicles without engine immobilizer technology, a basic anti-theft feature that was standard across nearly every other automaker. The missing security feature made these vehicles extremely easy to steal, a problem that exploded in 2022 when a viral TikTok trend showed how to hotwire the cars in under a minute using nothing more than a USB cable and a screwdriver.
See full list of eligible Hyundai and Kia vehicles and settlement details on OpenClassActions.com
What Happened With the Appeals?
The settlement received final court approval from U.S. District Judge James V. Selna on October 1, 2024. However, two objectors appealed the decision to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in November 2024, which delayed all payments to class members.On January 8, 2026, the Ninth Circuit issued two written decisions rejecting all objections and affirming the settlement in full. A three-judge panel heard oral arguments on November 19, 2025 and determined the settlement was fair, reasonable, and adequate. This ruling cleared the final legal obstacle to payment distribution, unless the objectors file a further appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The case was transferred back to the district court on January 26, 2026, and the settlement administrator began the remaining steps necessary to issue payments to eligible class members.
That progress was interrupted again on May 26, 2026, when one of the two objectors filed a petition for review with the U.S. Supreme Court. The petition pauses distribution of the $145 million Common Fund while the Supreme Court decides whether to hear the appeal. The Court accepts only a small fraction of the petitions it receives, so the most likely outcome is that it declines the case and distribution resumes; but if it agrees to hear the appeal, the delay could stretch considerably longer. As of mid-June 2026 no payments are going out, and there is no firm payment date.
How Much Are People Getting Paid?
The $145 million settlement fund provides several tiers of payment from the Common Fund depending on the type of loss experienced. Class members who filed valid claims are seeing approved amounts based on these categories:$145 Million Class Action Settlement — Common Fund Payment Tiers
● Vehicle Damage & Lost Personal Property: $3,375 or 33% of the Black Book value, whichever is greater
● Insurance Deductible & Increased Premiums: Up to $375
● Other Out-of-Pocket Expenses (related to a qualifying theft): Up to $250
● Lost Income or Childcare Costs (incurred while getting the software upgrade): Up to $250
Class members are receiving notifications showing their approved claim amounts. However, the settlement administrator has noted that the approved amount listed is not necessarily the final payment amount. Approved Common Fund amounts are subject to a pro-rata adjustment based on the total number of approved claims for the entire class. If approved claims exceed the available funds, payments may be reduced proportionally.
The window for class members to dispute an approved amount (the claims appeal deadline of April 10, 2026) has now passed. Common Fund payments cannot begin, however, until the Supreme Court petition filed May 26, 2026 is resolved. Until then, distribution remains paused. Class members can monitor the official settlement website at www.HyundaiTheftSettlement.com for payment-timing updates.
There Are Actually Two Separate Settlements
It is important to understand that there are now two separate settlement tracks for Hyundai and Kia theft victims.The $145 million class action settlement covers the original claims related to the missing engine immobilizer defect and provides Common Fund payments for theft-related losses. This settlement received final approval on October 1, 2024, was affirmed by the Ninth Circuit on January 8, 2026, and had been moving toward payment until an objector's May 26, 2026 Supreme Court petition paused distribution.
In addition, a separate $9 million multistate settlement was announced in December 2025, backed by a coalition of 35 state attorneys general. That settlement provides additional compensation specifically for owners who already received the software upgrade but still experienced a theft or attempted theft after April 29, 2025. Under that deal, victims can receive up to $4,500 for a total loss, up to $2,250 for a partial loss, or up to $375 for attempted theft expenses. Claims for the multistate settlement can be filed until March 31, 2027.
Multistate Attorney General Settlement — Payment Tiers
● Partial Loss (vehicle damage from qualifying theft): Up to $2,250
● Attempted Theft Expenses: Up to $375
● Claim Deadline: March 31, 2027
● Eligibility: Owners who had the software upgrade installed (or appointment scheduled) but still experienced a theft or attempted theft on or after April 29, 2025
What Should You Do Now?
If you already filed a claim in the $145 million class action settlement, there is nothing more to file right now — the claim and claims-appeal deadlines have passed. Make sure your contact information is current with the settlement administrator and watch your email and mail for updates. No payments will go out until the Supreme Court petition is resolved, so expect a wait.If you own an eligible 2011–2022 Hyundai or Kia vehicle and have not yet had the free zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protector installed, contact your local dealer to schedule the free upgrade. Eligible consumers will have one year from the date of their notification to make an appointment.
For questions about individual claims, use the contact form on the official settlement website at HyundaiTheftSettlement.com or KiaTheftSettlement.com.
Read the full breakdown of eligible vehicles and settlement benefits on OpenClassActions.com
Hyundai Kia Theft Settlement — FAQ
Are payments going out for the Hyundai Kia theft settlement?
Not yet. After the Ninth Circuit affirmed final approval on January 8, 2026, the administrator began preparing payments and class members received approved claim amount notifications. But on May 26, 2026 an objector petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court, which has paused distribution of the $145 million Common Fund. How long the delay lasts depends on whether the Supreme Court agrees to hear the appeal.
Why are the payments paused again?
One of the two objectors who challenged the settlement filed a petition for review with the U.S. Supreme Court on May 26, 2026. That petition pauses distribution until the Court decides whether to hear the case. The Court declines the vast majority of petitions it receives, so distribution will likely resume if it passes on this one — but a grant would mean a longer delay.
How much will I get from the Hyundai Kia theft settlement?
Payments depend on the type of loss. Total loss claims can receive 60% of Black Book vehicle value. Vehicle damage and lost personal property claims are approved for $3,375 or 33% of Black Book value, whichever is greater. Insurance deductible reimbursement is up to $375. Other out-of-pocket expenses are up to $250. All amounts are subject to pro-rata adjustment based on total approved claims.
Is my approved amount the final payment amount?
Not necessarily. The settlement administrator has noted that approved Common Fund amounts are subject to a pro-rata adjustment based on the total number of approved claims. If approved claims exceed available funds, payments may be reduced proportionally.
What if I disagree with my approved claim amount?
The deadline to appeal an approved claim amount was April 10, 2026 and has passed. If you missed it, the approved determination stands.
Can I still file a claim?
The claim deadline for the $145 million class action settlement has passed. However, the separate $9 million multistate attorney general settlement accepts claims until March 31, 2027 for qualifying thefts or attempted thefts that occurred on or after April 29, 2025. Visit HKMultistateimmobilizersettlement.com for details.
What vehicles are covered?
Certain 2011–2022 Hyundai and Kia vehicles with traditional turn-key ignition systems that were manufactured without an engine immobilizer. Check your vehicle's eligibility by VIN at HyundaiTheftSettlement.com or KiaTheftSettlement.com.
Who are the objectors who delayed the payments?
Two class members objected and appealed the final approval to the Ninth Circuit in November 2024; both appeals were rejected on January 8, 2026. One of those two objectors then escalated to the U.S. Supreme Court, filing a petition on May 26, 2026 that has paused distribution while the Court decides whether to take the case.
When will I actually receive my payment?
There is no firm date. Common Fund payments are paused while the Supreme Court petition filed May 26, 2026 is pending. If the Court declines the case, distribution can resume; if it agrees to hear it, the wait will be longer. Monitor your email and the settlement website for updates on payment timing.
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Sources
• HyundaiTheftSettlement.com (Official Settlement Website)• KiaTheftSettlement.com (Official Settlement Website)
• Hagens Berman — Hyundai/Kia Settlement FAQ
• HKMultistateimmobilizersettlement.com (Multistate Settlement)
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Submit Claim| Hyundai Kia Theft Settlement Snapshot | |
| Status | Distribution Paused — Supreme Court appeal pending |
|---|---|
| Class Action Settlement | $145,000,000 |
| Multistate Settlement | $9,000,000 |
| Case | In re: Kia Hyundai Vehicle Theft Litigation, No. 8:22-ml-03052-JVS-KES |
| Court | C.D. Cal., Judge Selna |
| Final Approval | October 1, 2024 |
| 9th Circuit | Affirmed January 8, 2026 |
| Supreme Court | Objector petition filed May 26, 2026 — distribution paused |
| Claims Appeal Deadline | April 10, 2026 (passed) |
| Vehicles Covered | Certain 2011–2022 Hyundai & Kia models without engine immobilizers |
| Multistate Claim Deadline | March 31, 2027 |
| Official Websites |
HyundaiTheftSettlement.com
KiaTheftSettlement.com |