Eighteen Attorney Generals are asking to recall Kia and Hyundai car models from the market that lack anti-theft controls.
Most of the Kia and Hyundai cars manufactured between 2011 and 2022 are experiencing challenges over social media, urging people to steal the cars with the help of USB cables and screwdrivers. Some of the incidents have been posted on various social media platforms with the famous #KiaBoyz.
Voluntary Service Campaigns
“Thefts of these Hyundai and Kia vehicles have led to at least eight deaths, numerous injuries, and property damage, and they have diverted significant police and emergency services resources from other priorities,” the attorneys general wrote in a joint letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). According to them the voluntary service campaign arranged by these companies for allowing drivers to get software updates were insufficient to control the thefts.
The absence of anti-theft control measures in cars causes auto fraud and collateral public safety issues. Both cars accounted for a significant portion of car frauds that are recovered in 2022. In Los Angeles, the city faced an 85 percent surge in car crimes which Kia and Hyundai made up for three-quarters of the entire increase in auto crimes. In Milwaukee, Kia contributed to 58 percent of all abducted cars in 2022.
Thefts of Kia, Hyundai cars prompt recall request
Engine Immobilizers
In a statement, Kia says that it has informed over two million owners and lessees regarding software updates. More than 165,000 have installed the update and the company has provided 39,000 free steering wheel locks to more than 275 law enforcement agencies. Hyundai Motor America says, “It is important to clarify that an engine immobilizer is an anti-theft device and these vehicles are fully compliant with federal anti-theft requirements.”
According to Hyundai, the company has taken the appropriate comprehensive action in the vehicle manufactured in 2023, all vehicles have free anti-theft controlling software and made engine immobilizers standard.
