Quick Answer: Hyundai and Kia agreed to a $62.1 million settlement over ZF-TRW airbag control units that may fail in a crash. If you owned or leased an eligible Sonata, Kona, Veloster, Forte, Optima, Sedona or related model as of April 14, 2025, you can claim a residual payment of up to $350 per recalled vehicle or up to $150 per unrecalled vehicle, plus reimbursement of recall related expenses. The claim deadline is April 8, 2027.
Key Takeaways
- Settlement value: $62.1 million in payments and credits
- Residual payment: up to $350 for recalled vehicles and up to $150 for unrecalled vehicles
- Reimbursement: rental cars, towing, transportation, childcare, repair costs and lost wages tied to the recall, for recalled vehicles
- Current and former owners and lessees can both claim
- A residual payment needs only a claim form, with no receipts
- Claim deadline: April 8, 2027, with a separate claim for each vehicle
Quick Summary
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Settlement value | $62,100,100 in payments and credits |
| Who is covered | Current and former owners and lessees, as of April 14, 2025, of eligible Hyundai and Kia vehicles sold or leased in the U.S. |
| Residual payment | Up to $350 (recalled vehicles) or up to $150 (unrecalled vehicles) |
| Other benefits | Expense reimbursement, a 10 year new parts warranty for recalled vehicles, inspection and outreach programs |
| Claim deadline | April 8, 2027 |
| Official site | ACUSettlement.com/HyundaiKia |
| Phone | 1-866-287-0740 |
| Administrator | JND Legal Administration, PO Box 91478, Seattle, WA 98111 |
| Case | In re: ZF-TRW Airbag Control Units Products Liability Litigation, No. 2:19-ml-02905-JAK, U.S. District Court for the Central District of California |
What the Hyundai and Kia Airbag Settlement Is About
The airbag control unit is the small computer that tells airbags and seatbelt pretensioners when to fire. The lawsuit says certain ZF-TRW units installed in Hyundai and Kia vehicles are vulnerable to electrical overstress, which can stop the airbags from deploying in a crash. The case is part of a larger multidistrict litigation that also produced separate settlements with Toyota and Mitsubishi.
Hyundai, Kia and parts supplier Mobis deny the allegations but agreed to settle. The court granted final approval in October 2025, and the claim period has been extended to April 8, 2027. To learn how cases like this work, read what a class action lawsuit is.
Which Vehicles Qualify?
You are in the class if, on April 14, 2025, you owned or leased, or had previously owned or leased, an eligible vehicle originally sold or leased in the United States or its territories. Eligibility is confirmed by VIN on the official website.
| Group | Vehicles |
|---|---|
| Recalled vehicles | Certain 2011 to 2013 Hyundai Sonata, certain 2011 to 2012 Sonata Hybrid, 2010 to 2012 and certain 2013 Kia Forte and Forte Koup, 2011 to 2012 and certain 2013 Kia Optima, 2011 and certain 2012 Optima Hybrid, 2011 to 2012 Kia Sedona |
| Unrecalled vehicles | Certain 2011 to 2013 and all 2014 to 2019 Hyundai Sonata, certain 2011 to 2012 and all 2013 to 2019 Sonata Hybrid, 2018 to 2023 Hyundai Kona, 2022 to 2023 Kona N, 2019 to 2021 Hyundai Veloster, certain 2013 Kia Forte and Forte Koup, certain 2013 and all 2014 to 2020 Kia Optima, certain 2012 and all 2013 to 2016 Optima Hybrid, 2014 Kia Sedona |
Hyundai, Kia and Mobis affiliates, dealers, class counsel, judges and people who already released these claims in an individual settlement are excluded.
How Much Will You Get?
- Expense reimbursement (recalled vehicles): reasonable out of pocket costs for getting the recall done, including rental cars, transportation, towing, childcare, repair costs for the airbag control unit and lost wages
- Residual payment: up to $350 per recalled vehicle or up to $150 per unrecalled vehicle, paid per person from the money left after reimbursements
- New parts warranty: 10 years for parts installed under the recall, for recalled vehicles
Reimbursements are paid first. Whatever remains is split per capita among people who filed claims, up to the caps. If many people file, the residual payment can be lower than the cap. See how class action payouts are calculated.
How to File a Hyundai or Kia Airbag Settlement Claim
- Find your VIN on your registration, insurance card or the driver side dashboard.
- Go directly to ACUSettlement.com/HyundaiKia and enter the VIN to confirm the vehicle qualifies.
- Complete the claim form. Choose a residual payment, expense reimbursement or both.
- For reimbursement, upload receipts or invoices. If you have none, you can submit a signed affidavit.
- File a separate claim for each eligible vehicle and submit by April 8, 2027.
You can also mail a paper form to Hyundai-Kia Airbag Control Unit Settlement, c/o JND Legal Administration, PO Box 91478, Seattle, WA 98111. Call 1-866-287-0740 to ask for one. Filing is free. See how to claim settlement money.
Do You Need Proof?
Not for the residual payment. You only need to submit a claim form, even if you never paid for anything. Expense reimbursement needs a receipt or invoice, or a signed affidavit if you have no records. A court appointed special administrator reviews these claims, and its decisions are final. Read more about claiming without proof of purchase.
When Will Payments Be Made?
Expense reimbursements are reviewed and paid first. Residual payments go out after the claim period ends on April 8, 2027 and the remaining money is counted. No residual payment date has been announced.
Watch for Scams
Use only the official website or the phone number above. You never pay to file, and the claim form does not need your bank login or full Social Security number. Read our guide to class action settlement scams and report fraud at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Is the Payment Taxable?
Reimbursement of costs you paid is often treated differently from a cash award. See is settlement money taxable and ask a tax professional about your situation.
Common Questions About the Hyundai and Kia Airbag Settlement
Can I still file a Hyundai or Kia airbag settlement claim?
Yes. The official website lists April 8, 2027 as the claim filing deadline. The original notice said March 29, 2027, so go by the date on the website.
How much is the Hyundai Kia airbag settlement payment?
Up to $350 per recalled vehicle or up to $150 per unrecalled vehicle, plus reimbursement of recall related costs for recalled vehicles. Final amounts depend on how many claims are filed.
I sold my car. Can I still claim?
Yes. Former owners and lessees as of April 14, 2025 are included.
My vehicle was never recalled. Do I qualify?
Possibly. Many unrecalled models, including the 2018 to 2023 Kona and 2014 to 2019 Sonata, qualify for a residual payment of up to $150. Check your VIN.
Do I need a separate claim for each vehicle?
Yes. Submit one claim per eligible VIN.
Is ACUSettlement.com legitimate?
Yes. It is the court approved website named in the class notice and is run by JND Legal Administration.
Summary
The Hyundai and Kia airbag settlement pays up to $350 per recalled vehicle and up to $150 per unrecalled vehicle, plus expense reimbursement, to current and former owners and lessees. Check your VIN and file by April 8, 2027, and see our open class action settlements for other claims.
Sources: Court approved long form notice, official settlement website. This page is for information only and is not legal advice.
Official Settlement Notice
Read the court approved long form notice for the Hyundai and Kia airbag control unit settlement below.