The Hyundai and Kia $62.1 million class action settlement resolves claims that certain 2010–2023 model year Hyundai Sonata, Kona, Veloster, and Kia Forte, Optima, and Sedona vehicles contain defective ZF-TRW airbag control units that may fail during a collision, potentially leaving occupants without critical safety protection. If you own or previously leased one of these affected vehicles, you may be eligible to claim up to $350 in cash payments plus reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses related to the recall and repair.
The settlement stems from In Re: ZF-TRW Airbag Control Units Products Liability Litigation (Case No. 2:19-ml-02905-JAK-JPR in the Central District of California), and claims must be submitted by March 29, 2027.
Table of Contents
- What Is the Defective Airbag Control Unit Defect in Hyundai and Kia Vehicles?
- Which Hyundai and Kia Model Years Are Covered?
- How Much Money Can You Receive from This Settlement?
- What Is the Warranty Coverage Included in the Settlement?
- How Do You File a Claim and What Documents Do You Need?
- What Is the Deadline for Submitting a Claim?
- What Happens After Final Approval and When Will You Receive Your Payment?
What Is the Defective Airbag Control Unit Defect in Hyundai and Kia Vehicles?
The settlement addresses an electrical overstress condition in ZF-TRW airbag control units installed in certain Hyundai and Kia vehicles. This defect can cause the control unit to malfunction during a collision, potentially preventing airbags and other critical safety features—including seatbelt pretensioners and stability control—from deploying or activating when they are needed most. The defect poses a genuine safety risk because it undermines the vehicle’s ability to protect occupants in a crash, which is why both manufacturers initiated recalls and agreed to this settlement.
The electrical overstress condition is not something you can detect through normal driving or vehicle inspection. Your airbag system may appear to be functioning normally on the road, but the internal components of the control unit can be vulnerable to failure during the severe electrical stress that occurs during a collision. This is why the settlement does not require you to demonstrate that your vehicle’s airbag failed; simply owning or leasing one of the eligible models during the specified years makes you eligible for recovery.
Which Hyundai and Kia Model Years Are Covered?
The settlement covers a specific range of Hyundai and Kia vehicles manufactured between 2010 and 2023. For Hyundai, the eligible models include the 2011–2019 Sonata (including hybrid versions), the 2018–2023 Kona and 2022–2023 Kona N, and the 2019–2021 Veloster.
For Kia, eligible vehicles are the 2010–2013 Forte (including the Koup variant), the 2011–2020 Optima (including hybrid versions) and the 2011–2016 Optima Hybrid, and the 2011–2012 and 2014 Sedona. However, if your vehicle was not on this list, you should still check the official settlement website or call the claims hotline to confirm your vehicle’s eligibility, because model-year eligibility can sometimes vary by production date, VIN, or other factors that are easier for the claims administrator to verify than in a simple list. If you own a Hyundai or Kia from a different model year or a different vehicle entirely, you would not be eligible for this particular settlement, though you may be eligible for other recalls or settlements depending on the specific issue affecting your vehicle.
How Much Money Can You Receive from This Settlement?
The settlement offers different payment amounts depending on whether your specific vehicle was part of a recall. If your vehicle was included in the recall, you can receive up to $350 in cash compensation. If your vehicle was not recalled but still qualifies under the settlement, you can receive up to $150. For example, if you own a 2015 Kia Optima that was recalled and repaired, you would be eligible for the $350 payment.
But if you own a similar model year Optima that was not officially recalled, your eligible payment would be $150 instead. In addition to cash payments, the settlement provides reimbursement for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses you incurred as a result of the recall and repair. This can include rental car costs, towing fees, childcare services you paid for while your vehicle was in the shop, and wages lost due to time spent arranging or completing the repair. For instance, if you rented a car for $50 per day while your vehicle was being repaired over a week, that $350 in rental costs would be reimbursable. You will need to provide documentation (receipts, invoices, or pay stubs) to support these expense claims.
What Is the Warranty Coverage Included in the Settlement?
Beyond cash payments and expense reimbursement, the settlement includes a 10-year warranty on replacement airbag control units for vehicles that were recalled and repaired. This warranty means that if the replacement control unit fails during that 10-year period following the repair, the manufacturer will repair or replace it at no cost to you. This is a significant benefit because airbag control units are expensive components, typically costing hundreds of dollars to replace.
However, this warranty applies only to vehicles that have already been recalled and that received a replacement control unit. If your vehicle falls into the non-recalled category, you would receive only the $150 cash payment and reimbursement for documented expenses, but not the extended warranty. The warranty also covers only the control unit itself and not any other airbag system components, so if a different part of your airbag system malfunctions, the warranty would not necessarily apply.
How Do You File a Claim and What Documents Do You Need?
To file a claim, you can visit the official settlement website at www.ACUSettlement.com or call the claims hotline at 1-866-287-0740. The claims administrator will guide you through the process and explain what documentation you need to provide. At minimum, you will likely need to provide proof of vehicle ownership or lease (such as a title, registration, or lease agreement), your vehicle’s VIN, and a copy of any recall repair records if your vehicle was repaired.
If you are claiming reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses, you must submit supporting documentation for each expense you want reimbursed. This means keeping or obtaining copies of rental car receipts, towing invoices, childcare payment records, or other proof of the expense. Without documentation, the claims administrator cannot process reimbursement claims, so do not rely on memory or verbal confirmation; gather written evidence before submitting your claim. One common pitfall is waiting too long to gather these documents, especially if the recall repair happened years ago and you no longer have the original receipts.
What Is the Deadline for Submitting a Claim?
The deadline for submitting a claim under this settlement is March 29, 2027. This date is firm, and once it passes, you will no longer be eligible to receive any settlement benefits, regardless of your vehicle’s eligibility status. As of March 2026, the settlement has received preliminary approval, and claims are currently being accepted.
Given that the deadline is about one year away from today, you have time to gather your documents and submit your claim, but procrastination can create problems. If you owned the vehicle years ago and are no longer the owner, you can still file as a former owner or lessee. Lessees are equally eligible, so if you previously leased an affected Hyundai or Kia, you should file a claim as well.
What Happens After Final Approval and When Will You Receive Your Payment?
The final approval hearing for the settlement was scheduled for September 29, 2025. Once the court grants final approval (if it has not already), the claims administrator will begin processing valid claims and issuing payments. The timeline for receiving your payment after submission depends on the volume of claims and the complexity of your specific claim, but the settlement website and claims hotline can provide estimates based on current processing times.
It is important to note that not all claimants will receive the full maximum amount listed in the settlement. If the total valid claims exceed the $62.1 million settlement fund, claims will be reduced proportionally so that all eligible claimants receive an equal share of the available money. This is a standard practice in class action settlements and means that your actual payment may be less than the $350 or $150 maximum if there is significant demand.