AG Brown announced that his office, along with 34 other attorneys general, has reached a settlement with automobile manufacturers Hyundai and Kia over their sale of millions of vehicles nationwide that lacked industry-standard, anti-theft technology. This failure resulted in an epidemic of car thefts and joy riding across the country that continues to threaten public safety.  

Under the settlement, Hyundai and Kia have agreed to: 

• Equip all future vehicles sold in the United States with industry-standard, engine immobilizer anti-theft technology; 
• Offer free zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protectors to owners or lessees of eligible vehicles, including vehicles that previously were eligible only for the companies’ software updates; 
• Provide up to $4.5 million in restitution to eligible consumers whose cars are damaged by thieves; and 
• Pay $4.5 million to the states to defray the costs of the investigation. 

“Marylanders’ cars were stolen because Hyundai and Kia failed to install industry-standard anti-theft technology. This settlement should prevent these thefts from continuing and provides additional relief to consumers victimized by these companies’ actions.” -AG Brown