The best way to submit the Hyundai and Kia settlement claim form is online through www.HyundaiTheftSettlement.com. The settlement administrator explicitly encourages online submission because it provides instant confirmation, faster processing, and eliminates the risk of lost mail. That said, claimants can also submit by mail to Hyundai Theft Settlement, P.O. Box 6609, East Brunswick, NJ 08816, or by email to Info@HyundaiTheftSettlement.com.
For someone who had their 2017 Kia Optima stolen from a parking garage and already has insurance documentation ready, the online portal lets them upload everything in one sitting and walk away with a confirmation number — something a mailed envelope simply cannot offer. Two active settlements are currently in play. The original $145 million class-action theft settlement, which the Ninth Circuit affirmed on January 8, 2026, covers the bulk of affected owners. A newer $9 million multistate settlement announced in December 2025 spans 35 states plus Washington, D.C., and targets owners who experienced theft or attempted theft on or after April 29, 2025, even after receiving the software upgrade.
Table of Contents
- Should You Submit Your Hyundai And Kia Settlement Form Online Or By Mail?
- Which Vehicles Qualify For The Hyundai And Kia Theft Settlement?
- How Much Money Can You Get From The Hyundai Kia Settlement?
- What Documents Do You Need Before Filing Your Settlement Claim?
- Critical Deadlines And Common Filing Mistakes To Avoid
- What The Ninth Circuit Ruling Means For Your Payment Timeline
- The Multistate Settlement And What Comes Next For Affected Owners
- Frequently Asked Questions
Should You Submit Your Hyundai And Kia Settlement Form Online Or By Mail?
Online submission wins on nearly every practical measure. When you file through www.HyundaiTheftsettlement.com, the system confirms receipt immediately, lets you upload supporting documents as digital files, and removes the guesswork about whether your claim actually arrived. Compare that to mailing a paper form to East Brunswick, New Jersey, where the settlement administrator itself warns you to use a trackable shipping method and keep copies of everything you send. That warning exists for a reason — paper claims can get lost, delayed, or damaged in transit, and if your envelope disappears, you have no proof you ever filed. Mail does have one narrow advantage: it works for people who lack reliable internet access or are uncomfortable uploading personal documents online. If you fall into that category, mail is a perfectly valid option.
Just understand that the burden shifts to you. You need to print the claim form, fill it out accurately, gather and photocopy all supporting documents, pay for tracked postage, and then wait without any immediate confirmation that the settlement administrator received your materials. For a claim potentially worth up to $4,500, that level of uncertainty is hard to justify when an online alternative exists. There is also a third option that often gets overlooked: email submission. You can send your completed claim form and documentation to Info@HyundaiTheftSettlement.com. This splits the difference — you get a digital trail showing the email was sent, though you may not receive an automatic confirmation the way the online portal provides. If you have questions about any method, the Settlement Administrator can be reached at (833) 982-3330.
Which Vehicles Qualify For The Hyundai And Kia Theft Settlement?
Eligible vehicles include 2011 through 2022 hyundai and Kia models that were manufactured with a traditional turn-key ignition and without an engine immobilizer. This is the critical distinction. If your vehicle came equipped with push-button start, it almost certainly had an immobilizer and does not qualify. The vulnerability that sparked the so-called “Kia Boys” trend on social media was specific to the cheaper ignition systems that could be defeated with a USB cable or screwdriver. However, owning an eligible model alone does not guarantee a payout.
You need to have actually experienced a theft, attempted theft, or related loss. The original $145 million settlement covers incidents tied to the vehicle’s lack of an immobilizer. The newer $9 million multistate settlement narrows things further — it only covers owners who had the free software upgrade installed but still experienced theft or attempted theft on or after April 29, 2025. If your car was stolen before that date and you already received the software fix, the multistate settlement is not the right path for you. You would need to have filed under the original settlement, whose claim deadline of January 11, 2025, has already passed.
How Much Money Can You Get From The Hyundai Kia Settlement?
Payment amounts depend on the severity of your loss. For a total vehicle loss — meaning your car was stolen and never recovered, or was recovered but totaled — claimants can receive up to $4,500 or 60 percent of the vehicle’s Black Book value, whichever applies under the settlement terms. Consider someone whose 2016 Hyundai Elantra worth $7,000 was stolen and never found. Under those terms, they could receive up to $4,200 (60 percent of Black Book value) or the $4,500 cap, depending on how the administrator calculates it. For partial losses where the vehicle was recovered but sustained damage, the maximum drops to $2,250, or $3,375 or 33 percent of the Black Book value, whichever is greater.
This tier covers scenarios like a broken steering column, smashed window, or damaged ignition system from a theft attempt. Under the newer multistate settlement, attempted theft expenses are capped at $375 — a much smaller amount, but it still covers out-of-pocket costs like locksmith fees, window replacement, or temporary transportation that insurance did not reimburse. These figures are maximums, not guarantees. The actual payout depends on the documentation you provide and the settlement administrator’s review. Submitting incomplete paperwork is one of the fastest ways to get a reduced award or a denied claim.
What Documents Do You Need Before Filing Your Settlement Claim?
Before you sit down to file online or stuff an envelope, gather every piece of documentation first. The claim form requires insurance documentation showing the amount you claimed and what your insurer paid out. If your vehicle was stolen and never recovered, you need objectively reliable theft documentation — a police report is the most common example — plus a sworn statement confirming the vehicle has not been recovered. Skipping either piece will stall your claim. The documentation requirements shift depending on what happened to the vehicle after the incident. If you donated the car because the damage was not worth repairing, you need the tax-deductible receipt.
If you sold the vehicle, you need proof of sale such as a DMV transfer form. These are not optional supplements — the settlement administrator uses them to verify your loss and calculate your payment. A claimant who had their 2019 Kia Soul stolen, recovered it with a destroyed ignition, and then sold it to a salvage yard for $800 would need the police report, insurance claim documentation, and the bill of sale or DMV transfer paperwork. The tradeoff between online and mail submission becomes especially relevant here. Online filing lets you upload scanned copies or clear photos of these documents directly into the portal. Mail filing means you need to photocopy everything — never send originals — and include it all in one package. Missing a single document in a mailed claim means waiting weeks to find out, while the online system can flag gaps immediately.
Critical Deadlines And Common Filing Mistakes To Avoid
The most important deadline right now is March 31, 2027, for the new $9 million multistate settlement. This covers owners in 35 states plus D.C. who experienced theft or attempted theft on or after April 29, 2025, even after receiving the software upgrade. The original $145 million settlement’s claim deadline of January 11, 2025, has already closed, so new claims cannot be filed under that settlement. However, there is still an active window for existing claimants under the original settlement. If you already filed a claim and received an approved amount that you believe is too low, the appeals deadline is April 10, 2026. Missing that date means accepting whatever the administrator calculated, regardless of whether you think the number is wrong.
The most common filing mistakes are straightforward but costly. Sending a mail claim without tracking and then having no proof it was delivered. Submitting a claim form without attaching the required insurance documentation. Filing under the wrong settlement entirely. And for mail submissions specifically, remember that the postmark date is what matters — your claim needs to be postmarked by the deadline, not received by it. A claim mailed on March 31, 2027, that arrives April 4 is still valid. A claim mailed April 1 is not, even if it arrives the next day.
What The Ninth Circuit Ruling Means For Your Payment Timeline
The Ninth Circuit affirmed final approval of the original $145 million settlement on January 8, 2026. In practical terms, this cleared the last major legal hurdle that was holding up payments. Before that ruling, objectors could have potentially delayed or derailed the entire settlement. With the appellate court’s stamp of approval, the settlement administrator can now process and distribute payments to approved claimants without the threat of the deal collapsing.
For anyone who filed a claim under the original settlement before the January 2025 deadline, this is the development that actually puts checks in the mail. If you filed online, your confirmation number and contact information are already in the system. If you filed by mail and used tracking, you can verify delivery. If you mailed your claim without tracking and have heard nothing, now would be a good time to call (833) 982-3330 and confirm the administrator has your claim on file.
The Multistate Settlement And What Comes Next For Affected Owners
The $9 million multistate settlement represents an acknowledgment that the software fix Hyundai and Kia rolled out did not fully solve the theft problem for every owner. Announced in December 2025 and backed by attorneys general across 35 states and Washington, D.C., this settlement specifically covers people who did the right thing — got the free upgrade — and still had their car stolen or broken into on or after April 29, 2025. With a claim deadline of March 31, 2027, affected owners have a reasonable window to gather documentation and file.
Looking ahead, the combination of these two settlements covers a wide range of scenarios, but neither addresses owners who simply suffered higher insurance premiums or reduced resale value without an actual theft incident. Whether additional legal action emerges to cover those losses remains an open question. For now, anyone with an eligible vehicle and a documented theft or attempted theft should file under whichever settlement applies to their situation — and file online if at all possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still file a claim under the original $145 million Hyundai Kia theft settlement?
No. The claim deadline for the original settlement was January 11, 2025, and has passed. However, if you already filed and disagree with your approved amount, you can appeal until April 10, 2026.
What is the deadline for the new multistate Hyundai Kia settlement?
The $9 million multistate settlement has a claim deadline of March 31, 2027. It covers owners in 35 states plus D.C. who experienced theft or attempted theft on or after April 29, 2025, after receiving the software upgrade.
How much can I receive from the Hyundai Kia theft settlement?
Up to $4,500 or 60 percent of your vehicle’s Black Book value for a total loss. For partial losses or vehicle damage, up to $2,250 or $3,375 or 33 percent of Black Book value, whichever is greater. The multistate settlement pays up to $375 for attempted theft expenses.
Does my claim need to arrive by the deadline or just be postmarked by it?
For mail submissions, the postmark date is what counts. Your claim must be postmarked by the deadline. It does not need to be physically received by that date.
What phone number do I call for questions about my Hyundai Kia settlement claim?
Contact the Settlement Administrator at (833) 982-3330. The official settlement website is www.HyundaiTheftSettlement.com.
Is push-button start Hyundai or Kia eligible for the settlement?
Generally no. The settlement covers 2011 to 2022 models manufactured with traditional turn-key ignition and without an engine immobilizer. Push-button start vehicles typically came with immobilizers and are not eligible.