If you own or lease a Hyundai Sonata, Kona, Veloster, Kia Forte, Optima, or Sedona from certain model years, you may be entitled to up to $350 in cash and other benefits under a $62.1 million settlement over defective airbag control units. The deadline to file a claim falls in early 2027 — some court documents reference March 29, 2027, while the official settlement administrator’s Key Dates page lists April 8, 2027 — so you still have time, but you need to act. To check your eligibility and submit a claim, visit www.ACUSettlement.com and use their VIN lookup tool.
For example, if you bought a 2016 Kia Optima and still owned it as of April 14, 2025, you likely qualify for a residual payment even if your specific vehicle was never recalled. This settlement resolves more than 20 class action lawsuits consolidated after Hyundai and Kia recalled over one million vehicles equipped with ZF-TRW airbag control units vulnerable to electrical overstress — a defect that could cause airbags, seatbelt pretensioners, and other restraint systems to fail during a crash. The court granted final approval on October 8, 2025, and claims are now open. Below, we break down who qualifies, what you can receive, how to file, and what pitfalls to watch for along the way.
Table of Contents
- What Is the Hyundai and Kia Airbag Control Unit Settlement and When Is the Filing Deadline?
- Which Hyundai and Kia Vehicles Are Eligible for Settlement Payments?
- How Much Money Can You Receive From the Airbag ACU Settlement?
- How to File Your Claim Step by Step Before the Deadline
- Common Mistakes That Could Cost You Your Settlement Payment
- What the 10-Year Warranty and Inspection Program Mean for Your Vehicle
- The Broader Impact of the ZF-TRW Airbag Control Unit Defect
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Hyundai and Kia Airbag Control Unit Settlement and When Is the Filing Deadline?
The Hyundai and kia Airbag Control Unit Settlement stems from allegations that certain vehicles manufactured between 2010 and 2023 contained defective ZF-TRW airbag control units. These ACUs are the electronic brains behind your vehicle’s airbag deployment system. When subjected to electrical overstress — which can happen during a collision, ironically the exact moment you need your airbags most — the units can fail silently, meaning airbags may not deploy at all. Hyundai and Kia deny wrongdoing but agreed to the $62.1 million settlement to resolve the litigation. The critical deadline you need to know: file your claim before the cutoff in spring 2027. There is some discrepancy in publicly available documents.
Certain court filings reference March 29, 2027, while the official settlement administrator at ACUSettlement.com lists April 8, 2027 on their Key Dates page. To be safe, treat March 29, 2027 as your personal deadline. Claims can be submitted electronically through the website or mailed and postmarked by the deadline. If you wait until the last week and encounter technical issues with the online portal, having that extra buffer could matter. One important date has already passed: the opt-out and objection deadline was August 25, 2025. If you didn’t opt out, you are part of the settlement class and bound by its terms, which means filing a claim is your path to compensation. You cannot separately sue Hyundai or Kia over the same ACU defect.
Which Hyundai and Kia Vehicles Are Eligible for Settlement Payments?
The settlement covers a specific list of Hyundai and Kia models and model years. On the Hyundai side, eligible vehicles include the Sonata and Sonata Hybrid (2011–2019), the Kona (2018–2023), the Kona N (2022–2023), and the Veloster (2019–2021). For Kia, the list includes the Forte and Forte Koup (2010–2013), the Optima and Optima Hybrid (2011–2020 and 2011–2016 respectively), and the Sedona (2011–2012 and 2014). note the gap in Sedona coverage — the 2013 model year is not included, so if you owned a 2013 Sedona, you are not part of this class. Eligibility is not determined solely by model and year, however.
Your specific vehicle must be confirmed through its VIN, because not every unit within these model ranges necessarily contains the affected ZF-TRW airbag control unit. The settlement website at ACUSettlement.com has a VIN lookup tool that will tell you definitively whether your vehicle qualifies. Your VIN is a 17-character code found on the driver-side dashboard (visible through the windshield) or on a sticker on the driver-side door post. There is also a critical ownership timing requirement: you must have owned or leased the vehicle on or before April 14, 2025. If you purchased a 2019 Hyundai Sonata in June 2025, you do not qualify, even though the vehicle itself is covered. Former owners and lessees who disposed of the vehicle before that date are eligible, so even if you traded in your 2012 Kia Optima years ago, you may still file a claim.
How Much Money Can You Receive From the Airbag ACU Settlement?
The compensation structure depends on whether your specific vehicle was subject to a recall. If your vehicle was recalled for the ACU defect, you are eligible for a residual payment of up to $350. If your vehicle is part of the settlement class but was not recalled, the residual payment is up to $150. These are described as “residual” payments because the settlement fund first covers reimbursement claims and administrative costs before distributing remaining funds to the broader class. If the number of valid claims is very high, per-person payments could be adjusted downward, though that outcome is uncertain at this stage. Beyond the flat residual payments, the settlement offers reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses you incurred getting your recalled vehicle repaired.
For example, if you paid a shop to diagnose or replace your airbag control unit before or during the recall process, you can submit receipts or invoices to recover those costs. If you no longer have receipts, the settlement allows you to submit a signed affidavit describing the expense instead, though having documentation will strengthen your claim. The settlement also includes meaningful non-cash benefits. All new airbag control units installed during recalls receive a 10-year warranty beginning April 14, 2025, covering failures caused by electrical overstress. There is a vehicle inspection program for cars that have not yet been recalled, rental car assistance while recall repairs are performed, and an outreach program designed to improve recall compliance rates. These provisions address the ongoing safety concern rather than just compensating for past inconvenience. The 20 named plaintiffs who brought the original lawsuits each receive $2,500 in service awards, and the attorneys were awarded $20,493,033.30 in fees.
How to File Your Claim Step by Step Before the Deadline
Filing a claim is straightforward, and the online process is the fastest route. Start by locating your vehicle’s VIN — check the lower-left corner of your windshield on the driver’s side, or open the driver-side door and look for a sticker on the door jamb or post. Then go to www.ACUSettlement.com and enter your VIN into the lookup tool. This will confirm whether your vehicle is a Class Vehicle and whether it was recalled. If the tool confirms eligibility, proceed to the online claim form. You will need to provide your contact information, vehicle details, and ownership documentation. If you are claiming reimbursement for out-of-pocket repair expenses, upload copies of your receipts, invoices, or a signed affidavit.
The online form is recommended because it provides immediate confirmation that your submission was received, and processing tends to be faster than mail-in claims. However, if you prefer paper or lack internet access, you can mail your completed claim form to: Hyundai-Kia Airbag Control Unit Settlement c/o JND Legal Administration, PO Box 91478, Seattle, WA 98111. Mailed claims must be postmarked by the deadline. The tradeoff between online and mail is worth noting. Online claims give you a confirmation number and digital receipt instantly. Mailed claims leave a gap where you may not know for weeks whether your submission was received and accepted. If you do mail your claim, consider using certified mail with return receipt so you have proof of timely submission. You can also call 1-866-287-0740 with questions about the process or your eligibility.
Common Mistakes That Could Cost You Your Settlement Payment
One of the most common errors in class action claims is missing the deadline entirely. Even though 2027 sounds far off, the filing window has been open since late 2025, and procrastination is the number one reason eligible class members leave money on the table. Set a calendar reminder now for no later than March 2027. Another frequent mistake is assuming your vehicle does not qualify without actually checking. Some owners of unrecalled vehicles do not realize they are still part of the settlement class and eligible for up to $150. The recall list and the settlement class list are not identical — the settlement covers a broader range of vehicles, including some that have not been formally recalled but contain the same vulnerable ACU hardware.
Conversely, do not assume you qualify just because you own a Hyundai or Kia from the right era. A 2020 Hyundai Sonata, for instance, is not on the eligible list despite the 2019 model being covered. Always verify through the VIN lookup. If you are seeking reimbursement for repair costs, be thorough with your documentation. Submitting a vague affidavit without any supporting detail may result in a reduced or denied reimbursement. Include dates, shop names, descriptions of the work performed, and the amounts paid. If you have bank or credit card statements showing the charge, include those as supplementary evidence even if you have the original receipt.
What the 10-Year Warranty and Inspection Program Mean for Your Vehicle
The 10-year warranty on replacement airbag control units is a significant benefit that extends well beyond the cash payments. Starting April 14, 2025, any new ACU installed as part of the recall is covered for a full decade against failures caused by electrical overstress. That means if your replacement unit fails in 2032 due to the same underlying defect, the manufacturer must replace it again at no cost. This is particularly relevant for owners who plan to keep their vehicles long-term — a 2018 Kona owner, for instance, could have warranty protection on their ACU through 2035.
The inspection program for unrecalled vehicles is also worth understanding. If your car is part of the settlement class but has not been recalled, the program provides a mechanism to have your ACU inspected for the defect. This matters because a defective airbag control unit is not something you can detect through normal driving — it fails silently and only reveals itself when the airbag system is called upon in a crash. Having your vehicle inspected proactively could identify a problem before it becomes life-threatening.
The Broader Impact of the ZF-TRW Airbag Control Unit Defect
The ZF-TRW airbag control unit defect is not limited to Hyundai and Kia. The same supplier provided ACUs to multiple automakers, and separate investigations and recalls have affected other brands. This settlement, however, only covers Hyundai and Kia vehicles.
If you own a vehicle from another manufacturer with a ZF-TRW ACU concern, this particular settlement does not apply to you. Looking ahead, the settlement’s outreach program aims to address what has been a persistent challenge across the auto industry: low recall compliance rates. Many vehicle owners never complete recall repairs, either because they are unaware of the recall or because they find the process inconvenient. The rental car assistance provision removes one barrier, and the broader outreach effort could help ensure that more affected vehicles actually get fixed — a genuine safety benefit beyond the dollars involved.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my specific vehicle is covered by the settlement?
Visit www.ACUSettlement.com and use the VIN lookup tool. Your VIN is located on the driver-side dashboard or door post. The tool will confirm whether your vehicle is a Class Vehicle and whether it was subject to a recall.
Is the claim deadline March 29, 2027 or April 8, 2027?
There is a discrepancy between sources. Some court documents reference March 29, 2027, while the settlement administrator’s website lists April 8, 2027. To be safe, aim to file before March 29, 2027.
I sold my car years ago. Can I still file a claim?
Yes. Former owners and lessees are eligible as long as they owned or leased the vehicle on or before April 14, 2025. You do not need to currently own the vehicle to file.
What if my vehicle was never recalled — am I still eligible?
Possibly. The settlement class includes both recalled and unrecalled vehicles. Unrecalled vehicle owners can receive up to $150. Check your VIN on the settlement website to confirm.
Do I need receipts to file a claim for reimbursement?
Receipts or invoices are preferred, but the settlement also accepts a signed affidavit describing the out-of-pocket expenses you incurred. However, having documentation will make your claim stronger.
Will I definitely receive the full $350 or $150?
The settlement describes these as “up to” amounts. The final per-person payment depends on the total number of valid claims filed. If claims are low relative to the fund, you may receive the full amount. If claims are very high, payments could be adjusted.
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