Class Action Lawsuit Kia: Open Claims and 2026 Status

Case	In re: ZF-TRW Airbag Control Units Products Liability Litigation, Case No. 2:19-ml-02905-JAK (Hyundai-Kia settlement)
Status	Open, accepting claims
Claim deadline	April 8, 2027
Estimated payout	Residual payment of up to $350 for recalled vehicles or up to $150 for unrecalled vehicles, split per capita from what is left of the $62.1 million fund, plus reimbursement of recall-related out-of-pocket costs (receipts or a signed affidavit)
Proof required	No
How to file	File at the official settlement website

Kia America settlement facts, last verified September 29, 2026. Sources are listed at the end of this page.

Yes, some owners can still get paid. Of every class action lawsuit Kia owners have been part of, two take claims right now: the $62.1 million airbag control unit settlement (due April 8, 2027, up to $350, no receipts needed for the base payment) and the window regulator settlement for 2016 to 2017 Optimas and 2017 Sportages (due November 23, 2026, up to $400 per repair). The $145 million theft deal is approved but frozen by a Supreme Court petition, and the engine cases closed to new claims years ago.

Which Kia settlement matches your model and year?

Find your model below. The Optima appears in five separate cases, so older sedan owners often qualify for more than one.

Model	Open now	Closed, frozen, or pending
Optima	Airbag ACU (2011 to 2020); window regulator (2016 to 2017)	Theft (2011 to 2020, frozen); Engine I (2011 to 2019); ABS module (2013 to 2015)
Optima Hybrid	Airbag ACU (2011 to 2016)	Engine II (certain years)
Forte, Forte Koup	Airbag ACU (2010 to 2013)	Theft (Forte 2014 to 2021); Engine II
Sedona	Airbag ACU (2011, 2012, 2014)	Theft (2011 to 2021); ABS module (2006 to 2010)
Sportage	Window regulator (2017)	Theft (2011 to 2022); Engine I (2011 to 2019); Engine II; ABS module
Sorento	None	Theft (2011 to 2022); Engine I (2012 to 2019); Engine II; ABS module
Soul, Rio, K5, Seltos	None	Theft (Soul 2020 to 2022, Rio 2012 to 2021, K5 and Seltos 2021 to 2022); Engine II (Soul)
Cadenza, K900, Stinger	None	ABS module
Telluride, EV6, EV9	None	New 2026 lawsuits, no settlement

Each settlement confirms eligibility by VIN. Some years include only certain VINs.

Every theft-list model may also qualify for the separate multistate theft fund if it was stolen or broken into on or after April 29, 2025, after the free software upgrade. Our Hyundai class action page covers that fund, since both automakers share it.

Two Kia claims you can still submit

Airbag control unit (deadline April 8, 2027)

Plaintiffs allege the ZF-TRW airbag control unit can suffer electrical overstress in a crash and fail to deploy the airbags. Hyundai and Kia deny it but settled, and the court approved the deal on October 8, 2025.

What most summaries skip: you don’t need any expenses to get paid. Anyone who owned or leased a class vehicle on or before April 14, 2025 can claim the residual payment, which splits what’s left of the fund per capita, capped at $350 for recalled vehicles and $150 for unrecalled ones. Recall costs like rentals, towing, or lost wages are reimbursed separately with receipts or a signed affidavit. When we checked the official settlement site in September 2026, it listed the April 8, 2027 deadline and a VIN lookup.

Window regulator (deadline November 23, 2026)

Le Beau v. Kia America (No. 8:22-cv-01545) covers owners and lessees of 2016 to 2017 Optimas and 2017 Sportages whose power windows stopped working. Reimbursement drops with mileage at the time of repair: 100% up to $400 under 35,000 miles, then 80% (up to $320), 60% (up to $240), 45% (up to $180), and 40% (up to $160) past 125,000 miles.

No repair receipts? Current owners can take a $40 service card for a Kia dealership instead, with proof such as a registration. Opt-outs close October 23, 2026, and the approval hearing is January 7, 2027. Class members submit a claim at KiaWindowRegulatorSettlement.com.

Where the Kia theft class action settlement stands

It’s approved, closed to new claims, and unpaid. The case (MDL 3052, Central District of California) covers 2011 to 2022 models sold without an engine immobilizer, the chip that stops a car from starting without its key. Claims closed April 28, 2025. Judge James V. Selna granted final approval on October 1, 2024, and the Ninth Circuit affirmed in January 2026.

An objector then petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court on May 26, 2026, which keeps the deal from taking effect; a decision is expected around October 2026. Approved claims are waiting on that: up to 60% of Black Book value for a total loss, the greater of $3,375 or 33% of Black Book value for damage, and up to $375 for an insurance deductible. Hyundai owners share this fund, so see our Hyundai page for the same timeline.

Kia engine settlements: claims closed, warranties didn’t

New cash claims are over, but the extended engine warranties still run. Both cases allege connecting rod bearing failures that can cause seizure, stalling, and fire:

Engine I: 2011 to 2019 Optima, 2012 to 2019 Sorento, and 2011 to 2019 Sportage with 2.0L or 2.4L GDI engines. Claims were due August 9, 2021. Installing the Knock Sensor Detection System software adds a lifetime warranty.
Engine II: Theta II MPI, Nu GDI, and Gamma GDI engines in 2010 to 2020 Optima Hybrid, Sorento, Sportage, Forte, Forte Koup, and Soul. Most benefits were due April 5, 2024.

If a dealer denies an Engine II warranty replacement, you can take it to BBB National Programs arbitration. The ABS module (HECU) settlement closed July 7, 2023, but its warranty covers qualifying repairs for 12 years from original delivery.

New class action lawsuits against Kia in 2026

These are allegations only, with no certified class and no claim form. An ICCU suit filed September 23, 2026 in Washington says two recalls didn’t fix power loss in the 2022 to 2024 EV6 and 2024 EV9. Telluride suits filed in May and June 2026 allege battery drain (2020 to 2026 models) and blank instrument clusters (2023 to 2025). If any settles, notice goes to registered owners; our guide on how to join a class action explains the process.

Your next step: run your VIN through the airbag lookup, then the window regulator site if you drive a 2016 to 2017 Optima or 2017 Sportage, since November 23 comes first. Save each confirmation number, and check our settlement deadlines list for any new class action lawsuit Kia settles later.

Kia class action FAQ

What Kia models are eligible for settlement?

As of September 2026, open claims cover 2010 to 2020 Optima, Optima Hybrid, Forte, Forte Koup, and Sedona models with ZF-TRW airbag units, plus 2016 to 2017 Optimas and 2017 Sportages with window repairs. Each Kia vehicle is confirmed by VIN.

Is the Kia lawsuit still going on?

The theft settlement is approved but frozen by a Supreme Court petition filed May 26, 2026, so payments haven’t started. The 2026 EV and Telluride suits are in early stages.

How can I file a claim with Kia?

You file with the court-appointed settlement administrator, not with Kia or a dealer. Each case has its own website, and a claim in one doesn’t carry over to another.

Are Kia settlement payments taxable?

Repair reimbursements usually replace money you spent, so they’re rarely income. Our page on whether settlements are taxable covers the exceptions.

This page is general information about cases involving Kia, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a licensed attorney.

Kia Class Action Lawsuit: Open Claims and Settlements