Some car owners in Maine may now benefit from having joined a 36-state coalition forcing Hyundai and Kia to provide free, hardware-based anti-theft upgrades for thousands of vehicles sold without basic security protections, following a multi state consumer protection investigation into the automakers’ practices.
The settlement, announced by New Hampshire Attorney General John M. Formella and joined by Maine and dozens of other states, covers Hyundai and Kia vehicles manufactured between 2011 and 2022 that were sold in the United States without engine immobilizers, a standard anti-theft feature used across much of the auto industry. State attorneys general said the lack of immobilizers made certain models easier to steal.
Under the agreement, Hyundai and Kia are required to install engine immobilizers as standard equipment on all new vehicles sold in the U.S. The companies must also provide a free, hardware-based fix, a zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protector for eligible existing vehicles. The upgrade must be offered at no cost through authorized dealerships, including for some vehicles that previously received software-only security updates.
The settlement requires the automakers to notify eligible owners and lessees directly and provide a defined window for drivers to schedule the installation. Hyundai and Kia have said the nationwide cost of the hardware upgrades is expected to reach into the hundreds of millions of dollars.
In addition to the vehicle fixes, the agreement includes financial penalties. Hyundai and Kia will pay up to $4.5 million in restitution nationwide for eligible consumers whose vehicles were stolen or damaged, along with up to $4.5 million to participating states, including Maine, to cover investigation and enforcement costs.
The settlement does not require either automaker to admit wrongdoing. State attorneys general said the agreement resolves consumer protection concerns while setting uniform anti-theft standards for vehicles sold in the U.S. market going forward.
Maine officials have not released an estimate of how many vehicles in the state may qualify for the free upgrades. Owners and lessees of Hyundai and Kia vehicles are advised to watch for official notices, in early 2026, from the manufacturers or contact authorized dealerships to determine whether their vehicles are eligible under the settlement.
