SACRAMENTO, California, USA. — Attorneys general from 17 states on Thursday asked the US federal government to recall millions of Kia and Hyundai vehicles because they are too easy to steal, leading to a sharp rise in theft fueled by a viral challenge on social media. social.
Some Kia and Hyundai cars sold in the United States in the past decade do not have engine immobilizers, a standard feature on most cars that prevents the engine from starting unless the key is in the vehicle.
Videos circulating on TikTok have shown how Kia and Hyundai models can be powered up using just a screwdriver and a USB cable. In Los Angeles, thefts from Kia and Hyundai vehicles increased 85% in 2022, and currently account for 20% of all vehicle thefts in the city, according to the California attorney general.
These thefts inspired by social media challenges have often ended in tragedy, with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) blaming 14 car accidents and eight deaths on the carjacking fashion.
In October, a police commissioner said a car crash in Buffalo, New York, that killed four teenagers may have been linked to the TikTok challenge. In the incident, a total of six teenagers were speeding in a Kia that crashed, according to Buffalo police. The vehicle had been reported stolen.
“The bottom line is that the failure of Kia and Hyundai to install standard safety features in many of their cars has put vehicle owners and the public at risk,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement. press. “Instead of taking responsibility with proper corrective measures, these automakers have chosen to pass this risk on to consumers and our communities.”
Bonta and the other attorneys general sent a letter Thursday to NHTSA asking for a nationwide recall of the vehicles. The letter was also signed by the attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia. .
Kia said in a statement that it is focused on the problem and that it “continues to take steps to address the concerns that these prosecutors have raised.” The automaker said software has been installed in the vehicles of more than 165,000 customers and that more than 2 million owners have been contacted about the problem. The company said the vehicles meet federal safety standards, so a recall is not necessary.
Hyundai also said that its vehicles meet the government’s anti-theft requirements. The company said it has distributed a software update to prevent theft two months ahead of schedule, but did not respond to a question about how many vehicles have received it. “We are in communication with NHTSA about our many actions to assist our customers,” the company statement said.
The letter adds to mounting pressure on South Korea-based automakers. Several cities, including St. Louis, Cleveland, Milwaukee, San Diego, Seattle and Columbus have already filed lawsuits against automakers.
In September, the Highway Loss Data Institute, a unit of the Insurance Institute for America’s Highway Safety, found that Hyundai and Kia cars without an immobilizer had a theft claim rate of 2.18 per every 1,000 insured vehicles. The rest of the industry combined had a rate of 1.21.
Hyundai and Kia announced in February that they would provide software updates for vehicles that would require the key to be in the switch to start the car. The change also updates the car’s burglar alarm software to extend the duration of an alarm from 30 seconds to 1 minute. Approximately 3.8 million Hyundai vehicles and 4.5 million Kia cars are eligible for the software update.
But the Korean automakers’ service campaign is not a call for repair, which would include reporting requirements and would be closely monitored by NHTSA.
The agency said the Hyundai and Kia thefts involve criminal conduct that falls under the jurisdiction of the police. Still, NHTSA said it has met with automakers to discuss the theft vulnerability, as well as the software and hardware on affected models.
The agency said it is receiving regular updates on the companies’ plans. “NHTSA will continue to monitor this matter, informing local authorities of developments and contributing its expertise to enhance motor vehicle safety,” the agency stated.
