Hyundai Anti-Theft Software Upgrade, Steering-Wheel Locks and Theft Settlement

Hyundai says thefts of its vehicles, historically low, spiked in summer 2022 after videos on TikTok and other social platforms showed how to defeat the security of some models. The videos promoted taking apart the steering column to reach the ignition, a trend that became known as the "Kia Challenge."

The affected cars are mostly base or entry-level trims with a standard turn-key ignition, no push-button start and no engine immobilizer. An immobilizer is an electronic device that keeps the engine from starting without the correct key or fob. Hyundai says the cars meet federal anti-theft requirements and that immobilizers have been standard on every Hyundai built since November 2021.[2][1]

The upgrade changes certain vehicle control modules on turn-key models. After it is installed, locking the doors with the key fob sets the factory alarm and turns on an ignition kill, so the car cannot be started with the popularized theft method. Unlocking with the fob turns the ignition kill off.

Any Hyundai dealer installs the upgrade free, in under an hour, and puts window decals on the car to show it has the added protection. Hyundai made all of the nearly 4 million affected vehicles eligible in April 2023, two months earlier than originally planned. Under the class settlement, the upgrade is also installed automatically when an eligible car comes in for any service or maintenance visit.[1][2][6][4]

If a 2011–2022 Hyundai has no engine immobilizer, or cannot take the software upgrade, a Hyundai dealer will provide a free steering-wheel lock. Hyundai suggests calling ahead to make sure the dealer has one in stock. Hyundai also reimburses steering-wheel lock purchases and has given locks to law enforcement agencies to hand out to local owners. Its April 2023 release said it was working with more than 450 agencies.

Owners of the smaller group of cars that cannot accommodate the upgrade can be reimbursed for a steering-wheel lock or for another anti-theft device such as an alarm kit. The May 2023 settlement announcement set that reimbursement at up to $300.[2][3][7][6][4]

Hyundai Motor America and Kia America announced on May 18, 2023 that they had agreed to settle In re: Kia Hyundai Vehicle Theft Marketing, Sales Practices, and Products Liability Litigation, No. 8:22-ML-3052 JVS(KESx), in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The announcement said the deal covered about 9 million Hyundai and Kia vehicles and could be worth about $200 million depending on participation. It provides cash for theft-related losses or damage not covered by insurance, insurance deductibles, higher premiums and other theft-related losses, plus device reimbursement.

The official settlement website says the court granted final approval on October 1, 2024, that appeals were then filed, and that payments will be issued only after the appeals are resolved and the settlement takes effect. It also says the deadline to submit a claim has passed. A January 2026 legal-news report said a Ninth Circuit panel affirmed the approval.[4][5][8]

No. The anti-theft upgrade is a free service campaign, not a safety recall. A search of the NHTSA recall dataset for Hyundai campaigns that mention theft, immobilizers or anti-theft software returned no recall records. Eligibility is checked with Hyundai's VIN tool on hyundaiantitheft.com rather than the NHTSA recall lookup.[9][2]