If you own or previously owned certain Hyundai or Kia vehicles, you may be eligible to file a claim in the $62.1 million Hyundai and Kia Defective Airbag Control Units Class Action Settlement. The claim form can be submitted online at ACUSettlement.com or by mail, and the filing deadline is April 8, 2027. Eligible claimants can receive reimbursement for out-of-pocket recall repair expenses and residual cash payments of up to $350 for recalled vehicles or up to $150 for unrecalled vehicles. The settlement resolves consolidated litigation (Case No.
2:19-ml-02905-JAK-JPR) alleging that certain Hyundai and Kia models contain defective ZF-TRW airbag control units vulnerable to electrical overstress, a flaw that could cause airbags and other safety features to fail during a collision. For example, a 2012 Kia Optima owner who paid for a rental car while waiting for a recall repair could now file for reimbursement of that cost. The court granted final approval on October 8, 2025, though both Hyundai and Kia deny the claims and the court did not rule on liability.
Table of Contents
- What Vehicles Are Covered Under the Hyundai and Kia Airbag Control Unit Settlement?
- How to File a Claim and What Documentation You Need
- Understanding the Settlement Benefits and Payment Structure
- Filing Online vs. Filing by Mail — Which Route to Take
- Common Pitfalls and Limitations When Filing Your Claim
- How to Check Your Claim Status and Get Help
- What This Settlement Means for Airbag Safety Going Forward
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Vehicles Are Covered Under the Hyundai and Kia Airbag Control Unit Settlement?
The settlement covers two categories of vehicles: recalled models and unrecalled models. Recalled models include the 2011–2013 hyundai Sonata (certain VINs), 2011–2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, 2010–2013 Kia Forte and Forte Koup, 2011–2013 Kia Optima, 2011–2012 Kia Optima Hybrid, and the 2011–2012 Kia Sedona. Unrecalled models span a wider range, including the 2011–2019 Hyundai Sonata and Sonata Hybrid, 2018–2023 Hyundai Kona, 2022–2023 Hyundai Kona N, 2019–2021 Hyundai Veloster, various year Kia Forte, Forte Koup, Optima, and Optima Hybrid models, and the 2014 Kia Sedona. Owning a covered model year alone does not guarantee eligibility.
The settlement determines class membership by VIN, not just by make, model, and year. Only certain VINs within those model ranges are affected, so you must verify your vehicle through the official VIN lookup tool at ACUSettlement.com. Someone who owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata, for instance, might not be covered if their specific VIN falls outside the affected production range. The class includes all persons or entities who, as of April 14, 2025, own, lease, or previously owned or leased an eligible vehicle that was originally sold or leased in the United States or its territories. That cutoff date matters — if you purchased a covered vehicle after April 14, 2025, you are not part of the settlement class.
How to File a Claim and What Documentation You Need
Filing a claim requires submitting the form either electronically through the official settlement website at ACUSettlement.com/hyundaikia or by mailing a completed form to Hyundai-Kia airbag control Unit Settlement c/o JND Legal Administration, PO Box 91478, Seattle, WA 98111. The deadline for all claims is April 8, 2027, and submissions must be either electronically submitted or postmarked by that date. If you are seeking reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses related to recall repairs, you must provide documentation. Acceptable proof includes receipts, invoices, or — if you no longer have those records — a signed affidavit attesting to the expenses.
This covers reasonable costs such as rental cars, towing, childcare during repairs, the repairs themselves, and lost wages. However, if your claim is only for the residual cash payment and you have no out-of-pocket expenses to report, the documentation requirements are simpler since the payment is based on vehicle ownership rather than specific costs incurred. One important limitation: the opt-out and objection deadline was August 25, 2025, and that window has closed. If you did not opt out by that date, you are bound by the settlement terms and cannot pursue a separate lawsuit against Hyundai or Kia over the same airbag control unit defect. You can still file a claim for benefits, but you have waived your right to independent legal action on this issue.
Understanding the Settlement Benefits and Payment Structure
The $62,100,100 settlement fund covers several categories of benefits. The most straightforward is the residual cash payment: up to $350 per recalled vehicle and up to $150 per unrecalled vehicle. These payments are not guaranteed at the maximum amount — final figures depend on the total number of valid claims filed. If the claims exceed the fund, individual payments will be reduced proportionally.
Beyond cash, the settlement provides a 10-year New Parts Warranty on replacement airbag control units installed during recalls. This warranty specifically covers failures caused by electrical overstress, so it does not extend to damage from other causes like physical impact or water intrusion. For instance, if a replacement airbag control unit installed under the recall fails due to the same electrical overstress vulnerability within ten years, the warranty covers the repair at no cost to the owner. The settlement also establishes a vehicle inspection program and an outreach program designed to improve recall completion rates, which have historically lagged on airbag-related recalls across the industry. Additionally, future rental car and loaner vehicle programs will be available during recall repairs, addressing one of the primary complaints that drove the original lawsuits — owners being left without transportation while their vehicles sat at dealerships waiting for parts.
Filing Online vs. Filing by Mail — Which Route to Take
For most claimants, filing online at ACUSettlement.com is the faster and more reliable option. Online submissions generate instant confirmation, allow you to upload digital copies of receipts and invoices, and remove the risk of a mailed form getting lost. You also get a record of exactly when your claim was submitted, which matters if there are any disputes about meeting the April 8, 2027 deadline.
Filing by mail may make more sense if you have original paper receipts you prefer not to scan, if you are not comfortable with online forms, or if you are filing on behalf of an entity like a business fleet. Mailed claims go to JND Legal Administration at PO Box 91478, Seattle, WA 98111. The tradeoff with mail is the processing lag — you will not receive immediate confirmation, and you bear the burden of proving the postmark date if your envelope arrives after the deadline. Using certified mail with return receipt is worth the small extra cost for that reason alone.
Common Pitfalls and Limitations When Filing Your Claim
The most common mistake claimants make is assuming their vehicle is automatically eligible based on the model and year. As noted earlier, eligibility is VIN-specific. Before spending time gathering documentation and filling out forms, run your VIN through the lookup tool on the settlement website first. Filing a claim for a non-eligible VIN wastes your time and the administrator’s resources. Another limitation worth understanding: the reimbursement category only covers “reasonable” out-of-pocket expenses. If you rented a luxury SUV for two weeks while your Kia Forte was at the dealer for a one-day recall repair, do not expect full reimbursement on that rental.
The settlement administrator will evaluate whether expenses were proportionate to the repair situation. If you lack receipts or invoices entirely, a signed affidavit can substitute, but affidavit-based claims may receive closer scrutiny and could result in reduced payments. Finally, be aware that attorney fees consume a meaningful portion of the fund. Co-Lead Counsel were awarded up to 33% of the settlement, approximately $20,493,033, plus costs. Each of the 20 Settlement Class Representatives received up to $2,500 as a service award. These amounts come out of the total $62.1 million before any payments reach class members.
How to Check Your Claim Status and Get Help
After filing, you can check the status of your claim through the settlement website or by contacting the settlement administrator directly. The phone line at 1-866-287-0740 handles status inquiries, and you can also reach the administrator by email at HKinf[see official settlement website].
Response times vary, particularly around the filing deadline when volume increases significantly. If you sold your eligible vehicle before the April 14, 2025 cutoff date, you are still a class member and can still file a claim. Former owners are sometimes eligible for the residual cash payment even if they no longer have the vehicle, and may also claim reimbursement for out-of-pocket recall repair expenses they incurred while they owned the car.
What This Settlement Means for Airbag Safety Going Forward
The ZF-TRW airbag control unit defect is not limited to Hyundai and Kia — the same supplier provided components to multiple automakers, and similar litigation and recalls have affected other brands. This settlement’s vehicle inspection and outreach programs could serve as a model for improving recall completion rates industry-wide, a persistent problem that leaves millions of vehicles with known safety defects on the road.
For current owners of affected vehicles who have not yet completed the recall repair, doing so should be the immediate priority regardless of the settlement claim. The cash payment is secondary to ensuring that your airbag system actually functions in a collision. The settlement website at ACUSettlement.com provides recall information alongside the claims process.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my specific vehicle is eligible for the settlement?
Eligibility is determined by VIN, not just by model and year. Use the VIN lookup tool at ACUSettlement.com to check whether your vehicle is covered before filing a claim.
What is the deadline to file a claim?
The claim filing deadline is April 8, 2027. Claims must be electronically submitted or postmarked by that date.
How much money will I receive from the settlement?
Residual cash payments are up to $350 for recalled vehicles and up to $150 for unrecalled vehicles. Final amounts depend on the total number of valid claims filed against the $62.1 million fund.
Can I still opt out of the settlement?
No. The opt-out deadline was August 25, 2025, and has passed. All class members who did not opt out are bound by the settlement terms.
I sold my vehicle — can I still file a claim?
Yes. Former owners and lessees who had an eligible vehicle as of April 14, 2025 are class members and can file claims for residual cash payments and reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses they incurred.
What if I do not have receipts for my out-of-pocket expenses?
You can submit a signed affidavit in place of receipts or invoices to document your expenses, though claims without supporting documentation may receive additional scrutiny.
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