A bipartisan coalition of attorneys general in 35 states, including South Dakota, have reached a settlement (Dec. 16, 2025) with automobile manufacturers Hyundai and Kia for millions of vehicles nationwide that lack industry-standard, anti-theft technology, leaving them vulnerable to being stolen. E ligible consumers will have one year from the date of notice from the companies to make an appointment to have the zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protector installed at their local Hyundai or Kia authorized dealerships. Those notices are expected to go out in the first few months of 2026. Thefts of Hyundai and Kia vehicles soared beginning in 2021, in part, because videos posted to TikTok and other social media showed how to steal their vehicles using just a screwdriver and a USB cable. The attorneys general say Hyundai and Kia’s knowing failure to provide this standard technology created the conditions for an epidemic of car thefts that, in some cases, were used in the commission of other crimes. Under the nationwide settlement, the companies will: Offer free zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protectors to owners or lessees of eligible vehicles, including vehicles that previously were only eligible for the companies’ software updates; Equip all future vehicles sold in the United States with industry-standard, engine immobilizer anti-theft technology; Provide up to $4.5 million in restitution to eligible consumers whose cars are damaged by thieves; and Pay $4.5 million to the states to defray the costs of the investigation. The zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protector prevents thieves from accessing the ignition assembly to steal the car. According to estimates from Hyundai and Kia, the cost of installing the ignition cylinder protectors on all eligible vehicles could exceed $500 million. States included in the settlement are Arizona, California, Connecticut, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin. www.HKMultistateImmobilizerSettlement.com Vehicles eligible to have zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protectors installed at no cost include all Model Year 2011-2022 Hyundai and Kia vehicles that were not factory-equipped with Engine Immobilizers, including: Hyundai 2011-2022 Accent 2011-2022 Elantra 2013-2020 Elantra GT 2013-2014 Elantra Coupe 2011-2012 Elantra Touring 2011-2014 Genesis Coupe 2018-2022 Kona 2020-2021 Palisade 2011-2022 Santa Fe 2013-2018 Santa Fe Sport 2019 Santa Fe XL 2011-2019 Sonata 2011-2022 Tucson 2012-2017, 2019-2021 Veloster 2020-2021 Venue 2011-2012 Veracruz Kia 2011-2021 Forte 2021-2022 K5 2011-2020 Optima 2011-2021 Rio 2011-2021 Sedona 2021-2022 Seltos 2011-2022 Soul 2011-2022 Sorento 2011-2022 Sportage ...read more read less