Kia/Hyundai Theft MDL Judge Approves $145 Million Settlement of Consumer Claims

LOS ANGELES — A California federal judge has approved a $145 million settlement that resolves consumers’ consolidated claims that certain models of Kias and Hundais contained a safety defect that made them highly prone to theft.

On Oct. 1, Judge James Selna of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California signed off on the deal, which provides up to $145 million for out-of-pocket losses that would be subject to individual claim caps, a no-cost software upgrade for certain vehicles, and up to $300 payments to class members whose vehicles are not eligible for the upgrade.

In the …