Current and former owners of certain 2010-2023 Hyundai and Kia vehicles may be eligible to claim up to $350 from a $62.1 million Hyundai Kia airbag defect settlement. The claim deadline is April 8, 2027. A free 10-year warranty on recall parts is also available.
The settlement resolves a multidistrict class action lawsuit, In re: ZF-TRW Airbag Control Units Products Liability Litigation (Case No. 2:19-ml-02905-JAK-JPR), filed in the U.S. District Court, Central District of California. The case alleged that Hyundai Motor Company, Hyundai Motor America, Kia Corporation, Kia America Inc., Hyundai Mobis Co. Ltd., and Mobis Parts America LLC sold vehicles equipped with defective ZF-TRW airbag control units susceptible to electrical overstress, potentially causing airbag system failures during crashes.
This page covers who qualifies for the Hyundai Kia airbag defect settlement, how much you can receive, how to file a claim, and key deadlines you need to know.
Who can file a claim?
To be eligible for compensation from the Hyundai Kia airbag defect settlement, you must meet the following criteria:
- Vehicle ownership or lease: You are a current or former owner or lessee of a qualifying Hyundai or Kia vehicle equipped with a ZF-TRW airbag control unit.
- Hyundai models: Sonata (2010-2019), Kona (2018-2023), Veloster (2012-2017).
- Kia models: Optima (2011-2020), Forte (2012-2018), Sedona (2011-2021).
- Model years: Vehicles from the 2010 through 2023 model years with the affected airbag control units.
Eligible owners and lessees can file a claim with no documentation required for the base residual payment.
How much can class members receive?
Under the Hyundai Kia airbag defect settlement, class members can receive between $150 and $350 as a residual payment with no documentation required, depending on whether their vehicle was subject to a recall. Additional reimbursement is available for documented out-of-pocket expenses.
- Residual payment (recalled vehicles): Up to $350. No receipts or documentation needed.
- Residual payment (unrecalled vehicles): Up to $150. No receipts or documentation needed.
- Out-of-pocket reimbursement: Documented expenses including rental costs, towing, childcare, repairs, and lost wages. Requires receipts or other proof of payment.
- Free 10-year warranty: Extended warranty coverage on recall repair parts at no cost.
- Free inspection program: Complimentary inspection of the airbag control unit in qualifying vehicles.
- Free loaner or rental vehicle: Provided during recall repairs at no charge.
How to claim an airbag defect payment
Class members can submit a claim online at acusettlement.com or mail a completed claim form to the settlement administrator. The claim deadline is April 8, 2027.
- Visit acusettlement.com and locate the online claim form.
- Provide your vehicle identification number (VIN), contact information, and ownership details.
- Select the type of payment you are claiming (residual payment or out-of-pocket reimbursement).
- If claiming out-of-pocket expenses, upload or attach supporting documentation such as receipts.
- Submit the claim form online or mail a printed copy to the address below.
In re ZF-TRW ACU Settlement, c/o JND Legal Administration, PO Box 91478, Seattle, WA 98111
What proof or documentation is necessary?
No documentation is required for the base residual payment. You only need to provide your VIN and ownership information.
- Residual payment (recalled or unrecalled): No receipts needed. Provide your VIN and basic ownership details only.
- Out-of-pocket reimbursement: Requires documentation such as receipts, invoices, or records for rental costs, towing, childcare, repairs, or lost wages incurred as a result of the airbag defect or recall.
Payout options
Settlement fund breakdown
The $62,100,100 settlement fund is allocated as follows:
When is the Hyundai Kia settlement payout date?
The claim deadline is April 8, 2027. The court granted final approval of the settlement on October 8, 2025.
Payments are being processed on a rolling basis following final approval. The settlement administrator, JND Legal Administration, is distributing payments as claims are reviewed and approved. There is no single payout date – payments are ongoing.
Why did this class action settlement happen?
The lawsuit alleged that certain 2010-2023 Hyundai and Kia vehicles were equipped with defective ZF-TRW airbag control units. These units were reportedly susceptible to electrical overstress, a condition that could cause the entire airbag system to become inoperable during a crash.
Affected models included the Hyundai Sonata, Kona, and Veloster, as well as the Kia Optima, Forte, and Sedona. Plaintiffs claimed that Hyundai, Kia, and their parts supplier Hyundai Mobis knew or should have known about the defect and failed to adequately warn consumers or remedy the issue in a timely manner.
The defendants denied any wrongdoing but agreed to the Hyundai Kia airbag defect settlement to avoid the cost and uncertainty of continued litigation. The court granted final approval of the $62,100,100 settlement on October 8, 2025.
Is the Hyundai Kia airbag defect settlement legitimate?
Yes – this is a fully court-supervised settlement. Here is what confirms it:
- Case number: 2:19-ml-02905-JAK-JPR, filed in the U.S. District Court, Central District of California
- Final approval: Granted by the court on October 8, 2025
- Administrator: JND Legal Administration, an independent third-party claims administrator
- Contact: 1-866-287-0740 or HKinfo@ACUSettlement.com
- Official site: acusettlement.com
The settlement was reviewed and approved by a federal judge. Claims must be filed before April 8, 2027.
How much will I actually receive from the Hyundai Kia settlement?
It depends on two things: whether your vehicle was recalled and whether you have documented out-of-pocket expenses.
- Up to $350 (recalled vehicles, no docs needed) – the residual payment for owners or lessees of vehicles that were subject to a recall. This is a fixed amount not subject to pro-rata reduction based on claim volume.
- Up to $150 (unrecalled vehicles, no docs needed) – the residual payment for owners or lessees of vehicles that were not recalled but were equipped with the affected airbag control units.
- Out-of-pocket reimbursement (with docs) – covers rental, towing, childcare, repairs, and lost wages. Requires receipts and supporting records.
- Free benefits – 10-year warranty on recall parts, free inspections, and free loaner vehicles during recall repairs. Available to all eligible owners regardless of claim filing.
The Hyundai Kia airbag defect settlement base residual payment is straightforward and requires no documentation beyond your VIN and ownership information. Most class members will receive between $150 and $350 depending on recall status.
What actually happened in the Hyundai Kia airbag defect?
ZF-TRW, a major automotive parts supplier, manufactured airbag control units (ACUs) installed in millions of Hyundai and Kia vehicles between the 2010 and 2023 model years. These electronic modules manage the vehicle’s airbag deployment system.
The alleged defect: The ACUs were susceptible to electrical overstress, a condition where excess electrical current damages internal components. When this occurs, the airbag system can become partially or fully inoperable, meaning airbags may not deploy in a crash.
Vehicles affected: Hyundai Sonata (2010-2019), Kona (2018-2023), Veloster (2012-2017), Kia Optima (2011-2020), Forte (2012-2018), and Sedona (2011-2021).
What the defendants say: Hyundai, Kia, and Hyundai Mobis denied any wrongdoing. They agreed to the $62,100,100 settlement to resolve the litigation and provide relief to affected vehicle owners.
Why do companies settle product liability lawsuits even when they deny wrongdoing?
Settlement does not mean admission of guilt. Companies settle for practical reasons:
- Litigation is expensive – legal fees in multidistrict cases can run into tens of millions of dollars
- Trials are unpredictable – a jury verdict could result in a far larger payout than the settlement amount
- Settling ends years of ongoing litigation, discovery disputes, and negative publicity
- For plaintiffs, it guarantees compensation rather than risking nothing at trial
Courts review every class action settlement to confirm it is fair and reasonable. The Hyundai Kia airbag defect settlement received final approval on October 8, 2025. Denying wrongdoing while settling is standard legal practice and has no effect on your right to file a claim.
Sources
Settlement Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
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Ready to Claim Your Money?
Eligible owners can receive up to $350 with no documentation required, and filing takes just minutes.