Hyundai, Kia Announce $200 Million Settlement Over Security Flaw Targeted by TikTok Challenge

(Left) The logo of Kia Motors in Seoul, South Korea, on Dec. 13, 2017. (AP Photo); (Right) The Hyundai logo displayed on a brand new Hyundai Santa Fe SUV at a Hyundai dealership in Colma, Calif., on April 7, 2017. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

SANTA ANA, Calif.—A settlement was reached in federal court in Santa Ana of litigation brought by Hyundai and Kia car owners over a security weakness in the vehicles that was promoted on social media platforms, the automakers announced May 18.

Thefts of the cars were driven last summer following a TikTok challenge that outlined a way to bypass security features to make it easier to steal the vehicles.