Hyundai and Kia agree on a settlement for airbag lawsuits; original 20 claimants receive $2,500 each.
Hyundai and Kia Announce Airbag Defect Settlement
Hyundai and Kia have reached a settlement in a class-action lawsuit over defective airbag control units, affecting millions of current and former owners. The settlement covers more than a dozen models, including the Hyundai Sonata, Santa Fe, and Kia Forte, Optima, Sorento, Soul, Sportage, and Sedona.
The settlement does not admit any wrongdoing by Hyundai and Kia but aims to compensate affected customers and provide extended warranties on the replaced airbag control units. Owners of recalled vehicles will receive up to $350 in residual payments, while owners of unrecalled vehicles will receive $150. The settlement also offers reimbursement for "reasonable" out-of-pocket repair costs tied to recalled vehicles.
The alleged defects in the airbag control units were supplied by ZF-TRW. If approved, claim forms must be submitted by March 29, 2027. Consumers who believe they are eligible may visit acusettlement.com for information and to submit a claim form.
The settlement covers various models manufactured between 2010 and 2023. Specific models included are:
- Hyundai:
- 2011-2013 Sonata and Sonata Hybrid
- 2013-2019 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport
- Kia:
- 2010–2013 Forte, Forte Koup
- 2011-2019 Optima and Optima Hybrid
- 2012–2019 Sorento
- 2012–2019 Soul
- 2011–2019 Sportage
- 2011 Sedona
The settlement requires court approval following a fairness hearing scheduled for September 29, 2025. Lawyers representing affected customers will receive over $20.4 million in the settlement. If approved, the settlement offers $2,500 to each of the 20 original plaintiffs.
Other automakers named in the suit, including Toyota and Mitsubishi, have previously settled similar claims. The defective airbag control units could fail during a crash due to electrical overstress, potentially preventing airbags from deploying.
The lawsuit consolidates over 20 class-action suits dating back to August 2019. The settlement was first reported by CarComplaints.com. For exact model years and grouping, consult the official settlement website or documentation, which provides the comprehensive eligibility details.
The settlement in the class-action lawsuit affects various models from both the automotive industry, such as the Hyundai Sonata, Santa Fe, and Kia Forte, Optima, Sorento, Soul, Sportage, and Sedona, and covers financial aspects for business owners and transportation users. The issue at hand involves defective airbag control units that were supplied by ZF-TRW and could have implications in the broader finance sector, as the settlement includes compensation for affected customers and extended warranties.
