Kia Window Regulator Settlement - 2016 and 2017 Optima and Sportage Owners Can Claim Up to $400

Quick Facts

• Claim deadline: November 23, 2026
• Covered vehicles: 2016-2017 Kia Optima (certain models); 2017 Kia Sportage (all models)
• Max reimbursement: Up to $400 per repair (mileage-based scale)
• Alternative: $40 dealer service card (current owners/lessees only)
• Proof required: Yes - repair orders showing VIN, repair, mileage, date, and cost, plus proof of payment
• Official site: kiawindowregulatorsettlement.com

If your Kia Optima or Sportage ever had a window that refused to budge, you may have a repair bill that qualifies for reimbursement. A class action settlement covering certain 2016-2017 models gives affected owners until November 23, 2026 to file.

What Is This Settlement About?

The case is Le Beau, et al. v. Kia America, Inc., et al., No. 8:22-cv-01545-FWS-JDE, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Plaintiffs alleged that the covered vehicles have a defect that can cause the drums or gears in the automatic window regulators to separate or break, leaving the regulator inoperative and the power window system malfunctioning.

Kia denies the claims, and the settlement doesn't mean Kia broke any laws or did anything wrong.

Judge Fred W. Slaughter granted preliminary approval on June 8, 2026. The final approval hearing is scheduled for January 7, 2027.

Who Is Eligible?

Residents of the U.S. and the District of Columbia (excluding U.S. territories) who currently own or lease, or previously owned or leased:

• A 2016 or 2017 Kia Optima on the covered VIN list
• A 2017 Kia Sportage (all models in this year qualify)

Here's the catch: the model and year alone don't confirm your eligibility. Kia's settlement covers specific Optima vehicles identified by VIN, so you'll need to run a VIN lookup at the official site before filing. Excluded are vehicles deemed a total loss (salvage), fleet purchasers or lessees (rental or company vehicles), dealers that owned a vehicle during its window regulator repair, insurers, extended warranty providers, and owners who previously released these claims against Kia.

Former owners can still file for repair reimbursement - you don't have to still own the car.

How Much Will You Get?

The payout depends on how many miles were on the vehicle when the regulator failed:

• Under 35,000 miles: 100% reimbursement, capped at $400 per repair
• 35,001-55,000 miles: 80% reimbursement, capped at $320 per repair
• 55,001-125,000 miles: 60% reimbursement, capped at $240 per repair, from 55,001-75,000 miles; 45%, capped at $180 per repair, from 75,001-125,000 miles
• Over 125,000 miles: 40% reimbursement, capped at $160 per repair

You can claim up to four repairs per VIN. If you currently own or lease the covered vehicle, you can choose a $40 Kia dealer service card instead of repair reimbursement - valid for six months from issuance. Former owners can't choose the service card; they're limited to the repair reimbursement path.

This is a claims-made settlement, not a fixed fund. Your payout isn't diluted by how many others file.

How to File a Claim

1. Go to kiawindowregulatorsettlement.com and run the VIN lookup to confirm coverage
2. Gather your repair orders - you'll need documents showing the VIN, what work was done, mileage at the time of repair, the date, and the cost, plus proof of payment such as a check or credit card receipt
3. If filing for the $40 service card, have current registration or lease documentation ready
4. Submit your claim online, or complete a paper form and postmark it by November 23, 2026
5. Sign the attestation confirming your information is accurate

Important Deadlines

• Claim deadline: November 23, 2026
• Opt-out and objection deadline: October 23, 2026 (final approval hearing: January 7, 2027)

If you had a Kia window regulator replaced and you've still got the repair order, you'll need it, along with proof of payment, to file. Check the VIN first - it'll tell you immediately whether you qualify.

Sources: kiawindowregulatorsettlement.com; Class Notice and Settlement Agreement; Case No. 8:22-cv-01545-FWS-JDE, C.D. Cal.