Millions Paid Out For Kia And Hyundai Thefts
Monday, May 1st, 2023 AutoAmidst a rising trend of car thefts across cities in the US, the thefts of Hyundai and Kia vehicles have surged, with the culprits often being joyriding teens, who brag about their escapades on social media platforms such as TikTok.
Kia and Hyundai drivers have accused the companies of illegally lax security features and are seeking compensation from the automakers. Auto insurers have estimated that the total cost of these thefts could be between $500 million to $600 million.
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, while Chevrolet and Ford pickup trucks are the most commonly stolen vehicles in America, thefts of Kia and Hyundai vehicles have been increasing. U.S. vehicle theft has reached a 15-year high.
Although technology like immobilizers has played a role in reducing car thefts, older Kia and Hyundai models lack immobilizers, making them an easy target for thieves to start the engine by turning a switch after removing the steering column cover.
The trend of Kia and Hyundai thefts gained momentum in 2021, after a TikTok user posted a video showing how to start a Kia’s engine by turning an internal switch with a simple tool such as a USB cable. Since then, some how-to videos for car thieves have been removed from TikTok and YouTube, but this hasn’t deterred thieves.
3.8 million Kias and 4.5 million Hyundais are without immobilizers. Regulators have called for a recall of these cars, but the automakers deny any wrongdoing, stating that their cars comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, including anti-theft requirements.
Kia and Hyundai have added immobilizers as a standard feature on their cars since November 2021. Nonetheless, insurers and drivers are pursuing their cases against the automakers.
