Brand new Kia cars are displayed on the sales lot at Hilltop Kia in Richmond, Calif., on March 4, 2025. 
Owners of stolen Kia and Hyundai vehicles may be entitled to money after the vehicle manufacturers failed to install common anti-theft technology, according to California Attorney General Rob Bonta. As part of a settlement with multiple state attorneys general, including Bonta, the makers of Kia and Hyundai vehicles will pay a settlement of about $9 million.
In 2022 and 2023, a dramatic rise in stolen Hyundai and Kia vehicles were reported in the U.S., thanks in part to viral TikTok trends and easily bypassed security. In California, vehicle thefts came in just under 203,000 in 2023, with the Kia Optima, the Hyundai Sonata and Hyundai Elantra as the top three most stolen cars. 
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
The vehicles were manufactured with “easily bypassed ignition locks and without anti-theft devices called engine immobilizers,” according to a news release from Bonta. The engine immobilizers help keep cars from being hot-wired by preventing them from starting unless a car’s “smart” key with the digital code is present. 
As part of the settlement, the car manufacturers will pay $4.5 million to states to compensate for the cost of investigation and up to $4.5 million to the owners of stolen vehicles, the news release said. The settlement will still need to be reviewed and approved by the court.
“Cars are often one of the largest purchases a family will ever make — Californians shouldn’t have to worry that manufacturers are cutting corners that could put their purchase at risk,”  Bonta said in a statement.
Consumers can find out more information about how to submit a claim at www.HKMultistateimmobilizersettlement.com.
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
— Strava fires woman in viral San Francisco restaurant video
— Death of 4-year-old boy tied to California religious cult
— Ahead of sister's murder trial, Calif. girls awarded $31.5 million
— After nearly 50 years, a Bay Area staple is calling it quits
Sign up for daily SFGATE breaking news alerts here. Google now allows you to add preferred news sources. Set SFGATE as one of yours to see more of us when you search.
Gillian Mohney is a breaking news editor at SFGATE. Previously, she worked at Healthline and ABC News, where she covered health, science and national news. She is a graduate of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and has lived in the Bay Area for nearly a decade. 
About
Contact
Services
Quick Links

source