Hyundai Kia Airbag Control Unit Settlement 2026 - File a Claim by April 8, 2027
Hyundai and Kia are paying $62.1 million to settle a class action lawsuit alleging that defective ZF-TRW airbag control units in millions of vehicles could fail to deploy airbags during a crash. If you own or previously owned one of the affected Hyundai or Kia models, you may be entitled to reimbursement for recall-related expenses, a residual cash payment of up to $350, and a 10-year warranty on recall repair parts. Even if your vehicle was never officially recalled, you can still claim $150. **No documentation required for the residual payment if you have your Unique ID.** Turns out the airbag unit designed to protect you in a crash might not work in a crash — but at least filing a claim is a lot easier than that.
What happened
Class period: The class covers all persons who owned or leased an eligible Hyundai or Kia class vehicle originally sold or leased in the United States, assessed as of April 14, 2025 for current owners, or at any prior point for former owners. There is no specific purchase date range — eligibility is based on vehicle model and VIN.
Hyundai Motor Company, Hyundai Motor America, Kia Corporation, Kia America, Inc., Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd., and Mobis Parts America LLC are settling a class action lawsuit alleging that certain Hyundai and Kia vehicles were manufactured with defective ZF-TRW airbag control units (ACUs). The ACU is the electronic component that triggers airbags and other safety systems during a collision. Plaintiffs allege the ZF-TRW ACUs in the class vehicles are vulnerable to an electrical overstress condition that can cause safety systems to malfunction, potentially resulting in airbag non-deployment in a crash.
Some of the affected vehicles were subject to NHTSA recalls (Recall No. 18V-137 for certain Hyundai Sonatas, and Recall No. 18V-363 for certain Kia models). Many others were not recalled, but are still included in the settlement class.
The Settling Defendants deny all allegations and deny any wrongdoing. The court did not decide who was right. The settlement received final court approval on October 8, 2025, and the $62.1 million fund is secured.
Filing a claim here does not prevent you from separately suing Hyundai or Kia if your airbag actually failed and caused injury. The settlement expressly reserves all personal injury, wrongful death, and physical property damage claims.
What you can get
Out-of-Pocket Expense Reimbursement
Amount varies
For owners of recalled vehicles only; covers unreimbursed rental car/transportation costs while awaiting recall repair, towing charges, childcare costs during repair, ACU repair costs, and lost wages from dropping off/picking up vehicle; requires supporting documentation such as receipts or invoices, or a signed affidavit if receipts are unavailable; must file by April 8, 2027
Residual Distribution Payment
Up to $350 (recalled) / up to $150 (unrecalled)
Available to all class members regardless of whether their vehicle was recalled; **no documentation required if you have your Unique ID from the mailed or emailed notice;** paid after out-of-pocket claims are processed; must file by April 8, 2027
New Parts Warranty
10 years
For owners of recalled vehicles that complete the recall repair; covers defects in parts installed during the recall, including parts and labor; begins April 14, 2025; warranty follows the vehicle if sold to a new owner
Loaner Vehicle or Rental Car Reimbursement
Varies
For recalled vehicle owners completing the recall after the settlement effective date; subject to dealer availability for loaner vehicles; rental car reimbursement available if loaner is not provided
Inspection Program
Free
Hyundai and Kia will inspect class vehicles following a qualifying incident involving a moderate or severe frontal crash where the ACU, seatbelt pretensioner, or airbag did not deploy as intended
Key dates
| Action | Date | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Claim deadline | April 8, 2027 | Last day to file a claim |
| Opt out | August 25, 2025 (passed) | Keep your right to sue separately |
| Object | August 25, 2025 (passed) | Tell the court you disagree |
| Final hearing | September 29, 2025 (held — final approval granted October 8, 2025) | Judge decides whether to approve |
Who may qualify
- You currently own or lease, or previously owned or leased, one of the following Hyundai or Kia vehicles originally sold or leased in the United States, as of April 14, 2025 for current owners or at any prior time for former owners.
- Recalled vehicles (eligible for out-of-pocket reimbursement AND residual payment): Certain 2011-2013 Hyundai Sonata Certain 2011-2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid 2010-2012 and certain 2013 Kia Forte 2010-2012 and certain 2013 Kia Forte Koup 2011-2012 and certain 2013 Kia Optima 2011 and certain 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid 2011-2012 Kia Sedona
- Unrecalled vehicles (eligible for $150 residual payment only): Certain 2011-2013 and all 2014-2019 Hyundai Sonata Certain 2011-2012 and all 2013-2019 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid 2018-2023 Hyundai Kona 2022-2023 Hyundai Kona N 2019-2021 Hyundai Veloster Certain 2013 Kia Forte Certain 2013 Kia Forte Koup Certain 2013 and all 2014-2020 Kia Optima Certain 2012 and all 2013-2016 Kia Optima Hybrid 2014 Kia Sedona
- Use the VIN lookup tool at https://www.acusettlement.com/hyundaikia to confirm your specific vehicle qualifies before filing.
How to file
- First, confirm your vehicle is eligible using the VIN lookup tool at https://www.acusettlement.com/hyundaikia.
- Then submit a Claim Form online at https://www.acusettlement.com/hyundaikia/claim by April 8, 2027. If you received a postcard or email notice with a Unique ID, provide it on the form. **For the residual payment only, no further documentation is required if you have a Unique ID.**
- Or download, print, complete, sign, and mail a paper Claim Form postmarked by April 8, 2027 to: Hyundai Kia Airbag Control Unit Settlement c/o JND Legal Administration PO Box 91478 Seattle, WA 98111
- To request a paper form or get your Unique ID, call 1-866-287-0740 or email HKinfo@ACUSettlement.com.
Proof required
- For the residual distribution payment ($350 recalled / $150 unrecalled): **no documentation required if you provide your Unique ID from the mailed or emailed notice.** If you do not have a Unique ID, you may need to provide documentation showing ownership or lease of the vehicle such as title, registration, purchase agreement, lease agreement, or insurance records.
- For out-of-pocket expense reimbursement (recalled vehicles only): receipts, invoices, or a signed affidavit if documentation is unavailable; covers rental car, towing, childcare, ACU repair costs, and lost wages directly tied to the recall repair.
- You may submit one Claim Form per eligible vehicle.
Payment timing
Out-of-pocket expense reimbursements will be paid after the settlement effective date. Residual distribution payments will be calculated and distributed after all out-of-pocket expense claims are processed following the April 8, 2027 claims deadline. Payment method details are not specified; check the settlement website for updates.
Important links
Contact
Extra details
This settlement has already been fully approved. Final approval was granted October 8, 2025. The $62.1 million fund is secured. The claims deadline of April 8, 2027 gives class members over a year to file.
Even owners of unrecalled vehicles are eligible for the $150 residual distribution payment. Many Hyundai and Kia owners may not know their vehicle is part of this settlement because it was never subject to a recall — the settlement covers a wide range of models beyond those that were officially recalled.
If an unrecalled vehicle receives a ZF-TRW ACU recall in the future before April 8, 2027, owners of those vehicles will become eligible to file for out-of-pocket expense reimbursement as well.
For recalled vehicles, completing the recall repair at a Hyundai or Kia dealer activates a 10-year new parts warranty on the installed parts. This warranty transfers with the vehicle if it is sold.
Filing a claim does NOT waive personal injury, wrongful death, or physical property damage claims. Anyone injured due to an airbag failure retains the right to pursue those claims separately.
Address updates must be in writing — telephone updates are not accepted.
The only authorized settlement website is https://www.acusettlement.com/hyundaikia
FAQ
What is a ZF-TRW airbag control unit and why does it matter?
My Hyundai or Kia was never recalled. Am I still included?
What is the difference between the out-of-pocket reimbursement and the residual payment?
Do I need to have completed the recall to file?
What is the new parts warranty?
I had an accident and my airbag did not deploy. Can I still file an injury claim against Hyundai or Kia?
The settlement was already approved. Why do I still need to file?
What if I do not have my Unique ID?
Info only. Verify details on the official site. Not legal, financial, or tax advice. Legal
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