Does My Kia or Hyundai Have a Recall? How To Discover Out

In response to rampant theft brought on by safety vulnerabilities in Kia and Hyundai automobiles, the automakers have announced sweeping recalls to handle the problems. In keeping with some sources, greater than 8.3 million of those automobiles might be began with out a key as a result of lack of an immobilizer. 

A lot of the automobiles made between 2011 and 2022 by each firms have this flaw, which means many Kia and Hyundai homeowners are topic to the recall. That can assist you discover out in case your Hyundai or Kia has been recalled, our group put collectively a brief information.

Why Is There a Kia and Hyundai Recall?

In the summertime of 2022, thefts of Kia and Hyundai automobiles elevated dramatically. This development adopted the viral reputation of the “Kia Problem” that began on the social media app TikTok. 

The development was began by a group known as the Kia Boyz, who demonstrated a easy approach to begin Kia vehicles with out an ignition key. Utilizing easy instruments and a USB cable, the Kia Boyz confirmed that they might break into the automobiles and begin them in only a few minutes. These movies had been later popularized by standard YouTuber Tommy G. 

This gave approach to the “Kia Problem,” which inspired TikTok customers to make the most of the strategies within the video to steal Kias and later, Hyundai automobiles. Because the development grew, so did theft charges of vehicles made by the 2 producers – usually fairly considerably. Between 2019 and 2021, insurance coverage claims for thefts of Kia and Hyundai vehicles rose 3,246% in Wisconsin, for instance.

The Kia Boyz and people who adopted had been in a position to begin the automobiles with out a key as a result of lack of an immobilizer within the ignition system. This “kill swap” prevents a automobile from being began with something aside from a key that corresponds to a chip contained in the ignition system. In keeping with the Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security (IIHS), only 26% of vehicles made by Hyundai and Kia were equipped with immobilizers. Amongst vehicles made by all different producers mixed, 96% featured immobilizers.

Authorities officers on the native, state, and federal ranges have urged Kia and Hyundai to rectify the issue as theft increased. Officers cited property injury, accidents, and demise related to the thefts, in addition to a disproportionate demand on regulation enforcement assets as causes for the automakers to behave.

On February 14, 2023 the Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration (NHTSA) announced that Kia and Hyundai planned to implement a recall. The producers quickly started to roll out a phased recall.

Which Kia and Hyundai Autos Are Being Recalled?

A majority of automobiles made by Kia and Hyundai between 2011 and 2022 are topic to the recall. Solely a handful of fashions function the immobilizer know-how that makes them tougher to steal. Within the following sections, you’ll discover a full listing of the Kia and Hyundai automobiles being recalled.

Kia Autos Being Recalled

The next Kia automobiles fall below the recall and are eligible totally free fixes from the producer:

• 2011-2022 Sportage
• 2011-2020 Optima
• 2011-2022 Sorento
• 2011-2021 Forte
• 2020-2022 Soul
• 2012-2021 Rio
• 2011-2021 Sedona
• 2021-2022 Seltos
• 2021-2022 K5

Hyundai Autos Being Recalled

The next Hyundai automobiles are eligible totally free recall work from the producer:

• 2018-2022 Accent
• 2011-2022 Elantra
• 2013-2020 Elantra GT
• 2018-2022 Kona
• 2013-2022 Santa Fe
• 2013-2018 Santa Fe Sport
• 2019 Santa Fe XL
• 2011-2019 Sonata
• 2011-2022 Tucson
• 2012-2017 and 2019-2021 Veloster
• 2020-2021 Venue
• 2013-2014 Genesis Coupe
• 2020-2021 Palisade

How Can I Discover Out if My Hyundai or Kia Has Been Recalled?

In case you personal one of many Hyundai or Kia fashions listed above, you’re possible eligible for the recall. As of July 2023, many homeowners of the automobiles have acquired an official discover of recall from the producer. This discover will give you the knowledge it’s essential have the providers carried out in your automobile. Nevertheless, for those who haven’t but acquired your discover, don’t see your car listed above, or just need to verify your recall eligibility, there are a number of methods to verify.

Earlier than you verify your standing, you’ll must find your car identification quantity (VIN). Your VIN is positioned on the car on the backside of the windshield on the motive force’s aspect and on the door jamb on the motive force’s aspect. Insurance coverage and registration paperwork may also have your VIN listed.

A technique for homeowners to verify on their recall standing is to name the producer straight. Kia homeowners can name Kia Client Affairs at 1-800-333-4KIA (4542). Hyundai homeowners can attain the corporate’s customer support line at 1-855-671-3059.

Nevertheless, each automakers provide a free on-line instrument to verify your car’s eligibility. You’ll merely must enter your VIN into the search discipline on the positioning, after which you’ll obtain a response telling you whether or not or not your automobile falls below the recall discover. The hyperlinks beneath will take you to the recall eligibility pages.

What Will Occur on the Recall Appointment?

Kia and Hyundai have tried to repair the difficulty with a software program replace. This replace requires the ignition key to be totally inserted to start out the automobiles, successfully putting in an immobilizer. The brand new software program additionally upgrades the automobiles’ alarm system logic.

As well as, Hyundai and Kia will present homeowners with stickers that make it clear {that a} car is supplied with anti-theft know-how. These stickers can alert potential thieves that the automobiles are not in a position to be began with the TikTok hack.

Some studies say that the recall appointment takes about an hour to finish. Different sources have stated the appointment may take between an hour and a half to 2 hours. You’ll be able to ask the restore heart about their common recall appointment time while you schedule your go to.

Can I Get Paid Out From the Kia and Hyundai Lawsuit?

Along with the recall, Kia and Hyundai had been topic to a category motion lawsuit across the theft vulnerability. Attorneys representing Kia and Hyundai homeowners accused the companies of placing hundreds of thousands of individuals in danger by selecting to not set up immobilizers. In Could, the automakers reached a settlement wherein they agreed to pay out greater than $200 million in advantages to car homeowners.

Kia and Hyundai homeowners who suffered losses as a result of security flaw are eligible for compensation. The businesses have agreed to pay $3,375 in car and private property injury compensation and $6,125 in instances of complete losses.

With the settlement being reached not too long ago, Hagens Berman Shobol Shapiro LLC – the lead agency within the lawsuit – has but to arrange a claims web site for qualifying members. The agency’s web site says that web sites might be arrange quickly. You’ll be able to periodically verify the agency’s web site for updates. Some homeowners could also be notified of eligibility by mail.

Kia and Hyundai Remembers: What’s Subsequent

In principle, the software program replace and different measures within the recall ought to stop the strategy popularized on TikTok from working. Nevertheless, a report from the Related Press in Could stated that regardless of the software program replace rollout, theft of Kia and Hyundai automobiles continued. 

This could possibly be due, partly, to solely a comparatively small proportion of automobiles finishing the recall, with many automobiles having but to repair the vulnerability. Nevertheless it may be that the software program replace and different strategies have failed to unravel the issue fully.

In case your Hyundai or Kia is eligible for a recall, it’s nonetheless a good suggestion to get the replace. Even when it doesn’t fully stop your automobile from being stolen, any further impediment for would-be automobile thieves makes your car a much less interesting goal than ones with out the replace, that are extra susceptible.