Penalty Amount
$4,500,000
Consumer protection case where Hyundai and Kia settled for selling millions of vehicles without industry-standard anti-theft technology, leading to a nationwide surge in thefts and public safety risks. The settlement requires free hardware fixes for affected vehicles and restitution for consumers.
Hyundai and Kia must equip all future vehicles with engine immobilizers, offer free zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protectors to eligible vehicle owners, provide up to $4.5 million in restitution to consumers whose cars were damaged by thefts, and pay $4.5 million to the states for investigation costs.
In-house legal teams should review customer sales agreements, dealer contracts, and vehicle warranty terms to ensure they reflect the settlement requirements. Specifically, examine clauses related to product specifications, safety compliance, warranty coverage, and defect remediation. Contracts may need amendments to mandate the inclusion of industry-standard engine immobilizers in all future vehicles, outline the provision of free hardware fixes (zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protectors) for eligible models, and define processes for restitution to consumers whose vehicles were damaged due to the lack of anti-theft features. Additionally, verify that agreements with dealers or distributors address the free distribution and installation of these protective devices.
Entity
Hyundai and Kia
Also known as: Hyundai, Kia
Industry
AutomotiveOfficial Press Release
https://www.doj.state.or.us/media-home/news-media-releases/ag-rayfield-announces-settlement-w-hyundai-and-kia-over-anti-theft-technology/
20251216 Hyundai Kia OR AVC ACCEPTED
https://www.doj.state.or.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/20251216-Hyundai-Kia-OR-AVC-ACCEPTED.pdf
Oregon Attorney General Enforcement Page
https://www.doj.state.or.us/consumer-protection/
"Hyundai and Kia"
"Pay $4.5 million to the states to defray the costs of the investigation."
"lacked industry-standard, anti-theft technology"
$4.5M
New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin announced a multistate settlement with Hyundai and Kia over the sale of millions of U.S. vehicles lacking industry-standard anti-theft engine immobilizer technology, which contributed to a surge in auto thefts. The settlement requires the manufacturers to equip all future U.S.-sold vehicles with immobilizers, offer free ignition cylinder protectors to eligible owners, provide up to $4.5 million in consumer restitution for theft damage, and pay $4.5 million to the coalition states. The 36-state coalition is led by Connecticut, Minnesota, and New Hampshire, with New Jersey as a co-lead.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong launched a consumer protection investigation into Hyundai and Kia for failing to equip vehicles with standard anti-theft immobilizers between 2011 and 2022, leading to high theft rates and public safety concerns. The investigation seeks records on the companies' decision-making and potential fixes, following a coalition of attorneys general calling for a federal recall.
Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield secured a temporary restraining order blocking Paramount Skydance Corporation's proposed $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The lawsuit, joined by 11 other state attorneys general, alleges the merger would harm Oregonians through higher prices, lower content quality, and reduced competition in film and television distribution.
$29.6M
Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield and a bipartisan coalition of states reached a $29.6 million settlement with Glenmark, a generic drug manufacturer accused of conspiring with other pharmaceutical companies to inflate prices and limit competition for numerous generic prescription drugs. The settlement requires Glenmark to cooperate in ongoing multistate litigations and implement internal reforms to ensure fair competition and antitrust compliance.
$18.0M
A coalition of 42 state attorneys general settled bankruptcy claims against 23andMe following a 2023 data breach that compromised genetic data of 6.9 million customers. The settlement includes $150 million in allowed claims, with $18 million paid from bankruptcy funds, and requires enhanced data security measures for the successor entity, 23andMe Research Institute.
Oregon Attorney General Rayfield and a coalition of 11 other attorneys general filed a motion for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to block the $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. by Paramount Skydance Corporation. The lawsuit alleges the merger violates Section 7 of the Clayton Act by substantially lessening competition in theatrical film distribution and basic cable television licensing, which would lead to higher prices and reduced content quality for consumers.