Hyundai and Kia have agreed to retrofit more than 4 million vehicles in the United States with new anti-theft hardware and to equip all future U.S. models with engine immobilizers, resolving a high-profile investigation led by a bipartisan coalition of 35 state attorneys general. The agreement aims to address widespread vehicle thefts linked to a method popularized on social media platforms such as TikTok.
The settlement marks a significant escalation in efforts by the Korean automakers to curb thefts involving older models that lacked industry-standard immobilizer technology.
Free Ignition Cylinder Protectors for Eligible Vehicles
As part of the agreement, Hyundai and Kia will provide free zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protectors to owners of eligible vehicles. This includes vehicles that were previously only eligible for software-based anti-theft updates.
According to state attorneys general, the zinc sleeve hardware modification reinforces the ignition cylinder body and prevents its removal, directly countering the theft technique demonstrated in viral online videos.
Eligible vehicle owners will begin receiving official notices in early 2026, and they will have until the end of March 2027 to have the ignition cylinder protectors installed at authorized local dealerships at no cost.
Engine Immobilizers to Become Standard on All New U.S. Vehicles
In addition to retrofitting existing vehicles, Hyundai and Kia have committed to installing engine immobilizer anti-theft technology on all future U.S. vehicles. Immobilizers prevent a vehicle from starting unless the correct electronic key is present and are considered an industry-standard theft deterrent.
The lack of immobilizers in certain Hyundai and Kia vehicles manufactured between 2011 and 2022 has been a central factor in the surge of thefts.
TikTok Theft Trend Linked to Fatal Crashes
Regulators have attributed the spike in thefts to TikTok and social media videos showing how to steal vehicles without push-button ignitions or immobilizers. According to officials, this trend led to at least 14 reported crashes and eight fatalities in the United States as of 2023.
State authorities said the public safety consequences of these thefts underscored the urgency of requiring physical anti-theft upgrades in addition to software solutions.
Hyundai and Kia to Pay Up to $9 Million in Restitution
Under the agreement, Hyundai and Kia will pay up to $9 million in restitution to consumers and participating states to offset investigation costs.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison stated that the total cost of installing ignition cylinder protectors on all eligible vehicles could exceed $500 million, citing estimates provided by the automakers.
“By failing to include industry-standard anti-theft technology in their vehicles, Hyundai and Kia unleashed a wave of auto thefts that cost Minnesotans their cars, their hard-earned money, and sometimes even their lives,” Ellison said.
Automakers Respond to Settlement
Hyundai said resolving the investigation is another step in addressing thefts involving vehicles without engine immobilizers.
“This cooperative agreement builds upon Hyundai’s ongoing efforts to enhance vehicle security in response to a method of theft popularized on social media,” the company said in a statement.
Kia described the agreement as part of a broader series of actions taken to support affected customers.
“The zinc-sleeve hardware modification combats the theft method inspired by social media by reinforcing the ignition cylinder body and preventing its removal,” Kia said.
Previous Lawsuit Settlement and Software Updates
The latest agreement follows a $200 million consumer class-action lawsuit settlement reached in 2023 over widespread thefts of Hyundai and Kia vehicles, according to attorneys representing vehicle owners.
That same year, the automakers also began offering software upgrades to approximately 8.3 million U.S. vehicles that lacked immobilizer technology. While the software updates provided some deterrence, attorneys general said hardware reinforcements were necessary to fully address the issue.
Source: Reuters
