The Hyundai and Kia Defective Airbag Control Units Settlement offers cash payments of up to $350 for owners and lessees of certain Hyundai and Kia vehicles equipped with faulty ZF-TRW airbag control units. The settlement, approved by a federal court on October 8, 2025, resolves the consolidated case *In Re: ZF-TRW Airbag Control Units Products Liability Litigation* (Case No. 2:19-ml-02905-JAK-JPR) and draws from a $62.1 million fund. If you owned or leased a qualifying vehicle as of April 14, 2025 — even if you already sold it — you likely qualify to file a claim. The deadline to submit is April 8, 2027, giving claimants a generous window, but you will need your vehicle’s VIN and documentation of any out-of-pocket expenses to get the most out of your claim.
The underlying problem is serious. The ZF-TRW airbag control units in these vehicles contain a circuit component — the DS84 application-specific integrated circuit — that can fail due to electrical overstress during a crash. When it fails, airbags and pre-tensioners may simply not deploy. For a driver T-boned at an intersection or rear-ended on a highway, that kind of failure can be the difference between walking away and catastrophic injury. The lawsuit alleged that ZF-TRW, Hyundai, and Kia knew about this defect as early as 2011 but didn’t issue recalls until 2018. com.
Table of Contents
- What Is the Hyundai and Kia Defective Airbag Control Units Settlement and Who Does It Cover?
- How Much Money Can You Actually Get From This Settlement?
- Why This Defect Matters More Than a Typical Recall
- How to File Your Claim Step by Step
- Common Pitfalls and Limitations to Watch Out For
- What About Vehicles From Other Manufacturers Affected by the ZF-TRW Defect?
- What Happens After You File and Looking Ahead
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Hyundai and Kia Defective Airbag Control Units Settlement and Who Does It Cover?
This settlement consolidates more than 20 class action lawsuits originally filed in August 2019, all targeting the same core problem: ZF-TRW manufactured airbag control units with a design flaw that could render an entire vehicle’s crash safety system useless at the worst possible moment. NHTSA estimated that more than 12.5 million vehicles across all manufacturers may be affected by this defect, though the hyundai and Kia portion of the settlement specifically covers the nearly 1.1 million vehicles those two brands recalled. The class includes all persons or entities who, as of April 14, 2025, own, lease, or previously owned or leased a qualifying Hyundai or Kia class vehicle originally sold or leased in the United States or its territories. That “previously owned or leased” language is important — if you traded in your 2012 Kia Optima three years ago, you still qualify. However, eligibility is determined by VIN, not just by model and year.
Two vehicles of the same make, model, and year may have different ACU suppliers, so one could be in the class while the other is not. You must verify your specific vehicle at www.ACUSettlement.com using the VIN lookup tool before filing. The recalled vehicle list includes 2011–2013 Hyundai Sonatas, 2011–2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrids, 2010–2013 Kia Forte and Forte Koup models, 2011–2013 Kia Optimas, 2011–2012 Kia Optima Hybrids, and 2011–2012 Kia Sedonas. There is also a separate “Unrecalled” class that covers specific model years of the Hyundai Kona, Kona N, and Veloster, spanning 2010 to 2023 model years. The distinction between recalled and unrecalled vehicles matters because it affects how much money you can receive.
How Much Money Can You Actually Get From This Settlement?
Owners and lessees of recalled vehicles can receive up to $350 as a residual payment, while those with unrecalled class vehicles can receive up to $150. These are not enormous sums, but they require relatively little effort to claim, and for many people they represent a straightforward payout for a genuine safety risk they were exposed to. Beyond the flat payments, the settlement also provides reimbursement for certain reasonable out-of-pocket expenses related to the recalls. If you paid for a rental car, rideshare, or other transportation while your vehicle was at the dealer for an ACU recall repair, you can seek reimbursement with proper documentation such as receipts, invoices, or a signed affidavit. However, if you no longer have receipts for expenses you incurred years ago, your options narrow.
The residual payment portion does not require expense documentation — it is available simply for having owned or leased a qualifying vehicle. But the reimbursement portion does require proof. If you paid $80 for a rental car in 2019 while your Sonata was at the dealer and you cannot find the receipt, you can still submit a signed affidavit attesting to the expense, though the settlement administrator may scrutinize affidavit-only claims more closely than those backed by hard documentation. One additional benefit worth noting: the settlement includes a 10-year New Parts Warranty for replacement ACUs installed during recalls. That warranty began on April 14, 2025, and it follows the vehicle — meaning if you sell your car after the repair, the next owner still gets the remaining warranty coverage. There are also rental car reimbursement and loaner vehicle programs for any future ZF-TRW ACU-related recalls that may arise.
Why This Defect Matters More Than a Typical Recall
Most vehicle recalls involve annoyances — a sensor that throws a false warning light, a latch that might not hold, a software glitch in the infotainment system. The ZF-TRW airbag control unit defect is in a different category entirely. The ACU is the brain of a vehicle’s crash safety system. When it fails due to electrical overstress, it does not just disable the airbags. It can also prevent seat belt pre-tensioners from firing, which are designed to pull slack out of the belt and lock occupants in place during a collision.
A total failure of both systems in a high-speed crash is a nightmare scenario, and it is exactly what the plaintiffs alleged was happening. The timeline makes it worse. According to the lawsuit, ZF-TRW, Hyundai, and Kia became aware of the defect as early as 2011. Yet recalls did not begin until 2018 — a seven-year gap during which millions of vehicles were on the road with potentially non-functional crash safety systems. For context, if you bought a 2011 Kia Optima new off the lot and drove it for seven years before the recall, you spent the entire ownership period with an airbag system that might not have worked in an accident. That is the kind of exposure this settlement attempts to address, even if $350 does not fully account for the risk involved.
How to File Your Claim Step by Step
Filing a claim is straightforward, but there are a few details that trip people up. Start by visiting www.ACUSettlement.com and using the VIN lookup tool to confirm your vehicle is part of the class. Your VIN is a 17-character code found on the driver’s side dashboard (visible through the windshield), on a sticker inside the driver’s door jamb, or on your vehicle registration and insurance documents. If you no longer own the vehicle, check old registration paperwork, insurance records, or even the purchase or lease agreement you signed at the dealership. Once you confirm eligibility, you submit one claim form per VIN.
If you owned two qualifying vehicles — say a 2012 Hyundai Sonata and a 2011 Kia Forte — you file two separate claims. The form will ask for your vehicle information, ownership details, and any out-of-pocket expenses you want to claim. For the residual payment alone, you do not need extensive documentation. But if you are also seeking reimbursement for recall-related expenses, gather your receipts, invoices, or prepare a signed affidavit before you start. Claims can be filed online or by mail, and the postmark deadline is April 8, 2027. Filing online is faster and eliminates the risk of postal delays, but mailed claims are equally valid as long as they are postmarked by the deadline.
Common Pitfalls and Limitations to Watch Out For
The most common mistake claimants make is assuming they qualify based solely on vehicle make and model. As noted above, eligibility is VIN-specific. A 2012 Kia Forte may or may not have a ZF-TRW airbag control unit depending on when and where it was manufactured. If you skip the VIN lookup step and submit a claim for a non-qualifying vehicle, your claim will simply be denied and you will have wasted your time. Always verify first. Another limitation: the opt-out and objection deadline was August 25, 2025, and it has already passed.
This means you cannot opt out of the settlement to pursue your own lawsuit against Hyundai, Kia, or ZF-TRW over the ACU defect. By remaining in the class, you are bound by the settlement terms. For most vehicle owners, this is not a significant concern — individual lawsuits are expensive and uncertain, and the settlement provides guaranteed benefits. But if you suffered a serious injury in a crash where the airbags failed to deploy due to this specific defect, you should consult with an attorney to understand what rights you may still have, as personal injury claims are sometimes handled separately from class action property damage settlements. Also worth noting: the 20 original named plaintiffs each receive $2,500 as service awards for their role in bringing and maintaining the litigation. Class counsel was awarded up to $20,493,033.30 in attorneys’ fees, which represents 33% of the $62.1 million fund. These amounts come out of the settlement fund before class member payments are distributed, which is standard practice in class action litigation but worth understanding when you see the total fund size.
What About Vehicles From Other Manufacturers Affected by the ZF-TRW Defect?
The ZF-TRW airbag control unit problem extends far beyond Hyundai and Kia. NHTSA’s investigation covered more than 12.5 million vehicles across multiple manufacturers, including Fiat Chrysler (now Stellantis), Mitsubishi, and Toyota, among others.
This particular settlement only covers Hyundai and Kia vehicles. If you own a vehicle from another manufacturer that was subject to a ZF-TRW ACU recall, your claims would fall under separate proceedings. Check NHTSA’s recall database and ACUSettlement.com for information on whether other manufacturer settlements exist or are pending.
What Happens After You File and Looking Ahead
After you submit your claim, the settlement administrator will review it for completeness and verify your vehicle’s eligibility. If your claim is approved, payments will be distributed according to the settlement terms. The exact timing of payments depends on how many claims are filed and how quickly the administrator can process them, but claimants should expect some waiting period after the April 8, 2027 deadline closes before checks go out. Looking ahead, the 10-year warranty on replacement ACUs is arguably the most valuable long-term benefit, especially for people who still drive their qualifying vehicles.
If your replacement airbag control unit fails within the warranty period, you are covered for repairs at no cost. And because the warranty follows the vehicle, it could even be a modest selling point if you decide to sell. For the broader auto industry, this case underscores the cascading risk of a single supplier defect affecting millions of vehicles across brands — a pattern that has repeated with Takata airbags, ZF-TRW control units, and other shared components. Consumers should continue checking NHTSA’s recall database regularly, regardless of vehicle brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I qualify if I already sold my Hyundai or Kia before the settlement was announced?
Yes. The class includes anyone who owned or leased a qualifying vehicle as of April 14, 2025, including former owners and lessees. You will need your old VIN to verify eligibility and file your claim.
How do I know if my specific vehicle is covered?
Eligibility is determined by VIN, not just make, model, and year. Visit www.ACUSettlement.com and use the VIN lookup tool to check whether your vehicle is part of the settlement class.
Can I file more than one claim if I owned multiple qualifying vehicles?
Yes. You submit one claim form per VIN. If you owned a 2012 Hyundai Sonata and a 2011 Kia Optima, and both VINs are in the class, you would file two separate claims.
What if I do not have receipts for expenses I incurred during the recall repair?
You can submit a signed affidavit attesting to reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in lieu of receipts or invoices. However, claims supported by documentation are generally stronger.
Can I still opt out and sue on my own?
No. The opt-out deadline was August 25, 2025, and has passed. If you did not opt out by that date, you are bound by the settlement. Consult an attorney if you have questions about any separate personal injury claims.
What does the 10-year warranty on replacement ACUs cover?
The warranty covers replacement airbag control units installed during the recall for a period of 10 years starting April 14, 2025. It follows the vehicle, so coverage transfers if the car is sold.
You Might Also Like
- Is The Hyundai And Kia Defective Airbag Control Units Settlement Legit, And How Do You Check Eligibility
- Hyundai And Kia Defective Airbag Control Units Settlement Deadline: What To Do Before March 29, 2027
- How To File A Claim In The Hyundai And Kia Defective Airbag Control Units Settlement