Hyundai and Kia, two of the largest automakers in the world, have agreed to pay a $200 million settlement in a US class action lawsuit related to vehicle thefts. The lawsuit was filed by owners of certain Hyundai and Kia vehicles who claimed that the automakers’ keyless ignition systems were defective and allowed thieves to easily steal their cars.
The settlement, which was announced in February 2021, covers approximately 4 million Hyundai and Kia vehicles sold in the US between 2011 and 2019. The affected models include certain Hyundai Sonata, Santa Fe, and Elantra vehicles, as well as certain Kia Optima, Sorento, and Soul vehicles.
According to the lawsuit, the keyless ignition systems in these vehicles were vulnerable to hacking and other forms of electronic theft. Thieves could use electronic devices to intercept the signals sent between the key fob and the car’s computer, allowing them to start the engine and drive away without needing the physical key.
The plaintiffs in the lawsuit claimed that Hyundai and Kia knew about these vulnerabilities but failed to take adequate steps to address them. They alleged that the automakers should have implemented stronger encryption and other security measures to prevent electronic theft.
Under the terms of the settlement, Hyundai and Kia will pay $100 million each to compensate affected vehicle owners. The money will be used to reimburse owners for any out-of-pocket expenses related to vehicle thefts, such as insurance deductibles or rental car fees. Owners may also be eligible for additional compensation if they experienced any other damages or losses as a result of the thefts.
In addition to the monetary settlement, Hyundai and Kia have agreed to implement new security measures for their keyless ignition systems. These measures include improved encryption and other safeguards designed to prevent electronic theft.
The settlement is a significant victory for the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, who had been seeking compensation for their losses for several years. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of strong cybersecurity measures in modern vehicles, which are increasingly reliant on electronic systems and connected technologies.
As more and more vehicles become connected to the internet and other networks, the risk of cyber attacks and electronic thefts is likely to increase. Automakers must take steps to ensure that their vehicles are secure and protected against these threats, or risk facing legal action and other consequences. The Hyundai and Kia settlement serves as a warning to other automakers that they must take cybersecurity seriously if they want to avoid similar lawsuits and settlements in the future.
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- Source: https://zephyrnet.com/hyundai-kia-settle-us-class-action-lawsuit-over-vehicle-thefts-for-200m/