Connecticut Attorney General William Tong led the charge Tuesday in a multistate settlement with Hyundai and Kia after millions of their cars were sold without anti-theft technology.
Tong says 93,393 impacted vehicles were sold in Connecticut.
The Connecticut lawmaker and a coalition of 35 attorneys general say the lack of tech resulted in an increase in car thefts and joy riding, threatening public safety.
As part of the deal, the manufacturers will offer free hardware fixes for all affected vehicles to prevent further theft.
"They also have to provide up to $4.5 million to customers whose cars were stolen,” said Tong. “But especially those who had the software update done and their cars were still stolen."
Hyundai and Kia must also pay the states $4.5 million to cover the cost of the investigation. Connecticut will receive $197,038 through the settlement.
Eligible consumers have one year to get updated work done.
Kia customers can find more information on eligibility and claims
here.
For information for Hyundai owners, click
here.
Read the full settlement here: