Current:Home > ContactA group of state AGs calls for a national recall of high-theft Hyundai, Kia vehicles -FutureWise Finance
A group of state AGs calls for a national recall of high-theft Hyundai, Kia vehicles
View
Date:2025-04-18 10:20:48
Scores of Hyundai and Kia vehicles lack basic security features and should be recalled, as a growing number of thefts have created a "safety crisis" on roads across the U.S., a group of state attorneys general says.
A letter sent by the attorneys general of 17 states and the District of Columbia to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Thursday urges the federal government to intercede to prevent a national problem they say is continuing to accelerate.
"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 AGs wrote.
"We call on NHTSA to exercise its authority to order a mandatory recall or ensure Hyundai and Kia institute a voluntary recall."
According to the letter, a thief can easily hotwire certain Hyundai and Kia vehicles manufactured between 2011 and 2022 by removing the steering wheel column cover and turning the keyed ignition with a USB cable. These vehicles also lack engine immobilizers, which prevent a car from being started unless it receives an electronic signal from the key.
These particular vulnerabilities came into more widespread use since 2021 after a number of TikTok users posted videos of the technique to social media.
Federal regulators say about 3.8 million Hyundais and 4.5 million Kias are affected.
Thefts of Hyundai and Kia vehicles have exploded recently. Los Angeles saw an 85% increase in Hyundai and Kia thefts in 2022, while Minneapolis says it saw thefts of the two makes jump by 836% last year.
The perpetrators, who are often minors, drive recklessly and sometimes crash, the attorneys general said, and attending to both the thefts and the crashes diverts law enforcement and emergency response resources from other needs.
"Kia's and Hyundai's failure to install standard safety features on many of their vehicles have put vehicle owners at risk," California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a tweet. "It is unacceptable that our communities should be forced to shoulder the cost of Kia's and Hyundai's failures."
A NHTSA spokesperson told NPR via email that law enforcement authorities had jurisdiction over any criminal conduct, and that NHTSA has repeatedly met with the two car companies to discuss the thefts and receive updates.
"NHTSA will continue to monitor this issue, spread awareness of further updates to local authorities, and lend its expertise in efforts to strengthen motor vehicle safety," the spokesperson said.
In an emailed statement to NPR, Hyundai said it was "committed to ensuring the quality and integrity of our products" and pointed to several measures it had taken in response to the thefts, including making engine immobilizers standard on all vehicles starting in November 2021 and reimbursing customers for the purchase of steering wheel locks. Hyundai also said it had partnered with AAA insurance companies to insure the affected vehicles in most states.
In February, Hyundai and Kia announced along with federal regulators that they would begin offering a free software upgrade for millions of vehicles without immobilizers over the following months. Hyundai said on Sunday that its software upgrade for affected vehicles is currently available at all Hyundai dealerships.
Kia told NPR it continues "to roll out a free, enhanced security software upgrade to restrict the unauthorized operation of vehicle ignition systems and we are also providing steering wheel locks for impacted owners at no cost to them."
The attorneys general said the software patch wouldn't be enough, though, since it may not work for all affected vehicles and doesn't come with the same legal requirements on the companies that a recall does.
Kia also responded to the notion of a recall, saying that "because there is no defect in the security features in any of these vehicles and because these specific models comply fully with all applicable federal standards, a recall is neither appropriate nor necessary under federal law."
A larger group of attorneys general wrote to Hyundai and Kia last month, urging the company to take "swift and comprehensive action" in response to the thefts.
veryGood! (5)
Related
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- Tour group of 33 stranded kayakers, including children, rescued from cave on Tennessee lake
- Judge dismisses murder charges ex-Houston officer had faced over 2019 drug raid
- A $15 toll to drive into part of Manhattan has been approved. That’s a first for US cities
- South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
- Nobelist Daniel Kahneman, a pioneer of behavioral economics, is dead at 90
- Netanyahu cancels delegation to U.S. after it abstains from cease-fire vote at U.N.
- 'Why wouldn't we?' Caitlin Clark offered $5 million by Ice Cube's BIG 3 league
- Grammy nominee Teddy Swims on love, growth and embracing change
- 'Why wouldn't we?' Caitlin Clark offered $5 million by Ice Cube's BIG 3 league
Ranking
- Global Warming Set the Stage for Los Angeles Fires
- Baltimore bridge collapse reignites calls for fixes to America's aging bridges
- Debate emerges over whether modern protections could have saved Baltimore bridge
- Central American and Mexican families mourn the Baltimore bridge collapse missing workers
- A Mississippi company is sentenced for mislabeling cheap seafood as premium local fish
- Mega Millions estimated $1.13 billion jackpot has one winning ticket, in New Jersey
- Why Michael Strahan's Daughter Isabella Is Struggling to Walk Amid Cancer Battle
- USWNT's Midge Purce will miss Olympics, NWSL season with torn ACL: 'I'm heartbroken'
Recommendation
The city of Chicago is ordered to pay nearly $80M for a police chase that killed a 10
Millions in India are celebrating Holi. Here's what the Hindu festival of colors is all about.
Kristen Stewart Shares She and Fiancée Dylan Meyer Have Frozen Their Eggs
House of Villains Season 2 Cast Revealed: Teresa Giudice, Richard Hatch and More
Appeals court scraps Nasdaq boardroom diversity rules in latest DEI setback
Trump Media, Reddit surge despite questionable profit prospects, taking on the ‘meme stock’ mantle
Children's author Kouri Richins tried before to kill her husband, new counts allege
When will Lionel Messi retire from soccer? Here's what he said about when it's time