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 autos, the automakers have announced sweeping recalls to handle the problems. In response to some sources, greater than 8.3 million of those autos may be began with no key because of the lack of an immobilizer. Moreover, 1.7 million Kia vehicles are currently being recalled for doubtlessly lethal fire-related points as of September 25.

Many of the autos made between 2011 and 2022 by each corporations have this flaw, which means many Kia and Hyundai house owners are topic to the recall. That will help you discover out in case your Hyundai or Kia has been recalled, our group put collectively a brief information.

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

Should you personal one of many Hyundai or Kia fashions listed above, you’re seemingly eligible for the recall. As of July 2023, many house owners of the autos have obtained an official discover of recall from the producer. This discover will give you the knowledge that you must have the providers carried out in your automobile. Nonetheless, should you haven’t but obtained your discover, don’t see your automobile listed above, or just need to verify your recall eligibility, there are a couple of methods to test.

Earlier than you test your standing, you’ll have to find your automobile identification quantity (VIN). Your VIN is positioned on the automobile 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 will even have your VIN listed.

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

Nonetheless, each automakers supply a free on-line software to test your automobile’s eligibility. You’ll merely have to enter your VIN into the search discipline on the location, after which you’ll obtain a response telling you whether or not or not your automobile falls beneath the recall discover. The hyperlinks beneath will take you to the recall eligibility pages.

Why Is There a Kia and Hyundai Recall?

Kia and Hyundai Thefts

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

The pattern was began by a group known as the Kia Boyz, who demonstrated a easy solution 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 autos and begin them in just some minutes. These movies have been later popularized by standard YouTuber Tommy G. 

This gave solution to the “Kia Problem,” which inspired TikTok customers to make the most of the strategies within the video to steal Kias and later, Hyundai autos. Because the pattern grew, so did theft charges of vehicles made by the 2 producers – typically 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 have been in a position to begin the autos with no key because of the lack of an immobilizer within the ignition system. This “kill change” prevents a automobile from being began with something apart from a key that corresponds to a chip contained in the ignition system. In response to 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 loss of life related to the thefts, in addition to a disproportionate demand on legislation enforcement sources 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.

Risk of Engine Compartment Hearth

As of September 25, NHTSA has additionally issued a recall for certain Kia models, citing that “Hydraulic Digital Management Unit (HECU) Might Trigger Engine Compartment Hearth”. Notification letters for this situation are anticipated to be mailed to house owners on November 14.

Which Kia and Hyundai Automobiles Are Being Recalled?

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

Kia Automobiles Being Recalled for Theft

The next Kia autos fall beneath the recall and are eligible free of charge 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 Automobiles Being Recalled

The next Hyundai autos are eligible free of charge 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

What Will Occur on the Recall Appointment?

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

As well as, Hyundai and Kia will present house owners with stickers that make it clear {that a} automobile is supplied with anti-theft expertise. These stickers can alert potential thieves that the autos are now not in a position to be began with the TikTok hack.

Some experiences say that the recall appointment takes about an hour to finish. Different sources have stated the appointment might 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 whenever you schedule your go to.

Kia Automobiles Being Recalled for Hearth

Sure of the next Kia autos fall beneath the recall and are eligible for a free HECU alternative:

  • 2010-2019 Borrego
  • 2014-2016 Cadenza
  • 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage
  • 2015-2018 K900
  • 2011-2015 Optima
  • 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul
  • 2012-2017 Rio
  • 2011-2014 Sorento
  • 2010-2011 Rondo

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

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

Kia and Hyundai house owners who suffered losses because of the security flaw are eligible for compensation. The businesses have agreed to pay $3,375 in automobile and private property injury compensation and $6,125 in instances of whole losses.

With the settlement being reached just lately, 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 can be arrange quickly. You’ll be able to periodically test the agency’s web site for updates. Some house owners could also be notified of eligibility by mail.

Kia and Hyundai Recollects: What’s Subsequent

In idea, the software program replace and different measures within the recall ought to stop the tactic popularized on TikTok from working. Nonetheless, a report from the Related Press in Might stated that regardless of the software program replace rollout, theft of Kia and Hyundai autos continued. 

This may very well be due, partially, to solely a comparatively small proportion of autos finishing the recall, with many autos having but to repair the vulnerability. Nevertheless it may be that the software program replace and different strategies have failed to unravel the issue totally.

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 automobile a much less interesting goal than ones with out the replace, that are extra susceptible.