WASHINGTON — A group of 22 U.S. point out attorneys basic on Monday blasted Hyundai Motor and Kia Corp and reported they want do extra to deal with issues with hundreds of thousands of Hyundai and Kia motor vehicles that are vulnerable to theft.
Last month, the Korean automakers claimed they would offer software program updates to 8.3 million U.S. motor vehicles to assistance suppress rising auto thefts utilizing a approach popularized on TikTok and other social media channels.
“The surge in thefts of these vulnerable motor vehicles has been certainly stunning,” mentioned the letter from 22 states and the District of Columbia led by Wisconsin Legal professional Basic Joshua Kaul. “A lot more demands to be performed so that each recent proprietor can get just one of these units at no cost as shortly as possible – specifically these owners whose autos are not appropriate with the computer software update you recently declared.”
The lawyers common letter claimed the automakers had unsuccessful to take adequate steps to deal with the alarming charge of theft and urged them to accelerate the implementation of the software upgrade and deliver cost-free choice protective actions for homeowners whose autos can’t assistance the program enhance.
Kia and Hyundai stated Monday they have contacted above 2.1 million consumers to recommend them of software updates. Kia said it is actively operating with big insurance coverage carriers “to guarantee our buyers have obtain to quality and thorough protection.”
Hyundai mentioned all of its cars meet U.S. anti-theft demands and has begun reimbursing eligible prospects for steering wheel lock buys. In Chicago there were around 7,000 thefts of Hyundai and Kia autos in 2022 accounting for 10% of Kia and 7% of Hyundai autos registered in the metropolis, the letter explained.
Previously this thirty day period, Minnesota Attorney Basic Keith Ellison claimed he experienced launched a civil investigation into Kia and Hyundai’s sale of autos to Minnesota individuals that lacked industry-common, anti-theft technological know-how and sought documents and solution queries beneath oath.
Ellison mentioned in Minneapolis in 2022 Kia and Hyundai auto thefts were being tied to 5 homicides and 265 motor auto incidents.
TikTok videos displaying how to steal cars without drive-button ignitions and immobilizing anti-theft products has distribute nationwide. This experienced led to at least 14 reported crashes and eight fatalities, the Countrywide Freeway Targeted visitors Protection Administration (NHTSA) reported in February.
The no cost up grade will be presented for 3.8 million Hyundai and 4.5 million Kia motor vehicles, the automakers and NHTSA stated. Hyundai stated the improve applies to numerous U.S. 2011 through 2022 product calendar year motor vehicles.
Many Hyundai and Kia motor vehicles have no digital immobilizers, which stop break-ins and bypassing the ignition.
An insurance plan investigation group said immobilizers were regular on 62% of types from other makers in 2000, climbing to 96% by 2015. But they were conventional on only 26% of 2015 Hyundai and Kia automobiles.
Hyundai will also deliver clients with a window sticker alerting would-be intruders that the motor vehicle is outfitted with anti-theft security.
All Hyundai autos generated because November 2021 are equipped with an motor immobilizer as regular products.
Â
