(NEWSnet/AP) — A federal judge on Wednesday declined to approve a proposed settlement in a class-action lawsuit prompted by a surge in Hyundai and Kia vehicle theft, saying it fails to provide “fair and adequate” relief to vehicle owners.

The proposed settlement, announced in May, could be valued at $200 million and covers about 9 million 2011-22 Hyundai and Kia vehicles in the U.S., the companies said.

Those cars are not equipped with push-button ignitions and immobilizing anti-theft devices. That has made it possible to steal the automobiles using only a screwdriver and a USB cord.

The proposed settlement would offer vehicle owners cash payment for theft-related damage and a voluntary recall to update theft-protection software. But U.S. District Judge James Selna raised concerns about the process for calculating payments and the adequacy of the software update to prevent future theft.

The automakers announced that update early in 2023, saying it would address a security flaw, exposed social media sites. But in May, The Associated Press reported that thieves were stealing Kia and Hyundai vehicles at a high rate.

In an Aug. 11 letter, the attorneys general of six states and the District of Columbia urged Judge Selna to require automakers to install antitheft technology known as engine immobilizers in all theft-prone Hyundai and Kia vehicles, possibly in combination with a vehicle buyback program, in place of the update and cash payments.

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