If you purchased or leased a certain 2011-2022
model year Kia vehicle that was not equipped with an engine
immobilizer, you might benefit from this class action
settlement.
PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 4, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- A settlement has been reached in a product
liability class action lawsuit, in California federal court titled, In re: Kia
Hyundai Vehicle Theft Marketing, Sales Practices, and Products
Liability Litigation, No. 8:22-ML-3052 JVS(KESx) (C.D. Cal.).
This lawsuit alleges certain 2011-2022 model year Kia
vehicles contain design flaws, including the failure to manufacture
the Class Vehicles with an anti-theft device called an engine
immobilizer, that make them susceptible to theft and damage.
What does the Settlement provide? The Settling
Defendants have agreed to the establishment of a Common Fund of at
least $80,000,000 and up to
$145,000,000 for the payment of
approved Claims for certain out-of-pocket, uncompensated losses
incurred as a result of a Qualifying Theft or Qualifying Theft
Attempt. Additionally, a Software Upgrade that will prevent
vehicles locked with a key or key fob from starting without the key
being present is available for certain Class Vehicles. The Software
Upgrade will be performed at no cost on all eligible Class Vehicles
brought to an authorized Kia dealership without need for request by
the Class Member. Software Upgrade-eligible vehicles are also
eligible for reimbursement up to $250
for lost income and/or childcare costs resulting from the
implementation of the Software Upgrade, reimbursement up to
$50 for a steering wheel lock and
reimbursement for OEM-issued key fobs purchased at the direction of
a Kia dealership to implement the Software Upgrade (subject to a
cap of $350 per key fob, with a limit
of up to two key fobs per Class Vehicle). For Class Vehicles not
eligible for the Software Upgrade, reimbursement up to $300 for the purchase and installation of
steering wheel lock, glass breakage alarm or similar anti-theft
system is available, or up to $250 if
you already received a steering wheel lock from Kia (directly or
indirectly).
What are my legal rights and options in this
Settlement?
Submit a claim form:
To receive a
benefit under the Settlement, you must file a Claim Form as well as
all required supporting documentation. You are encouraged to submit
your Claim Form online by visiting www.KiaTheftSettlement.com.
Claim Forms are available on the website to download and print or
you may call the Kia Theft Settlement Administrator at (844)
966-2773 or send an email to Info@KiaTheftSettlement.com to request
a Claim Form be mailed to you. Completed Claim Forms must be
submitted no later than January 11,
2025, and required supporting documentation can be mailed to
Kia Theft Settlement P.O. Box 6609 East
Brunswick, NJ 08816.
Exclude Yourself or Object:
Unless you exclude
yourself in writing as described in the Notice, available at
www.KiaTheftSettlement.com, you will be treated as part of
the Settlement Class and unable to sue, continue to sue, or be part
of any other lawsuit against Defendants, or other related entities
or individuals listed in the Settlement Agreement, arising
from the legal issues in this case – primarily relating to
the lack of engine immobilizers as
alleged in this case (except for death or
personal injury claims). If you want to keep your right to
sue Kia separately, you must exclude yourself
by MAY 3,
2024.
If you do not exclude yourself, you may object to the Settlement
and/or ask for permission to appear and speak at the Fairness
Hearing, but only if you do so by MAY 3,
2024. Further information on how to do this is available
at www.KiaTheftSettlement.com.
The Court's hearing.
The Court will hold a Final
Approval Hearing at 1:30 p.m. on
July 15, 2024, in Courtroom 10C at
the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, 411 West 4th Street, Room 1053
Santa Ana, CA 92701-4516, to
decide whether to approve the Settlement. At that hearing the Court
will consider whether the Settlement is fair, reasonable, and
adequate. If there are objections, the Court will consider them.
The Court may permit people who have given notice of the intent to
appear at the hearing an opportunity to speak. The Court may also
decide how much to pay Class Counsel and whether to approve the
Class Representatives' service awards. The hearing may be
rescheduled without further notice to the Class.
For more information, visit
www.KiaTheftSettlement.com, call the Kia Theft Settlement
Administrator at (844) 966-2773 or email
Info@KiaTheftSettlement.com.
Media Contact:
Angeion Group (Settlement
Administrator)
Shiri
Lasman
(215) 563-4116
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content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/angeion-group-kia-theft-settlement-administrator-announces-proposed-settlement-in-in-re-kia-hyundai-vehicle-theft-marketing-sales-practices-and-products-liability-litigation-302083570.html
SOURCE Angeion Group