18 State Attorneys General Seeking to Recall Hyundai and Kia Vehicles, Citing High Risks of Theft

The logo of Hyundai Motor at the #WeAreMobility fair at the 97th edition of the Brussels Motor Show, in Brussels, Belgium, on Jan. 18, 2019. Dirk Waem/AFP/Getty Images

Attorneys general of 18 states have written a letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) asking for the recall of certain models of Hyundai and Kia vehicles due to the carmakers’ failure in taking necessary steps to address the ease with which these vehicles are being stolen.

The April 20 letter (pdf) asked the NHTSA to institute a recall for “unsafe” Hyundai and Kia vehicles manufactured between 2011 and 2022. These vehicles have “easily bypassed ignition switches” and also lack engine immobilizers, making them quite easy to steal. “Due to this vulnerability in their starting systems, the vehicles can be hotwired and stolen in a matter of minutes, presenting a serious safety issue nationwide,” the letter states.

“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.”

In Los Angeles, thefts of Hyundai and Kia vehicles rose by around 85 percent in 2022. They also made up approximately 20 percent of stolen cars in the region, up from 13 percent in 2021, the letter states. In Berkeley, California, Hyundai and Kia thefts accounted for 38 percent of vehicle thefts since the end of 2022.

In Minneapolis, theft of the two brands has risen by a staggering 836 percent. In St. Paul, Minnesota, thefts have risen by 611 percent, the letter noted. In other places like Columbus and Milwaukee, Hyundai and Kia vehicles made up a significant portion of stolen vehicles last year.

California attorney general Rob Bonta criticized Hyundai and Kia for failing to take responsibility with “appropriate corrective action,” according to a press release on April 20. Instead, these carmakers have decided to “pass this risk” to consumers and communities.

“It is unacceptable that families and communities should be forced to shoulder the cost of Kia’s and Hyundai’s failures. Kia and Hyundai have failed to appropriately address these safety issues, ignoring urgent requests from states, law enforcement, and car buyers,” he said.

“We now ask the federal government to require these companies to correct their mistake through a nationwide recall and help us in our continued efforts to protect the public from these unsafe vehicles.”

Vulnerability and Theft Trends, Accidents

Certain Hyundai and Kia models are vulnerable to being “easily hotwired and stolen.” The vehicles’ ignition switches can easily be bypassed by removing the steering wheel column cover, accessing the keyed ignition, and then turning it with a USB cable.

These vehicles also lack engine immobilizers, which are anti-theft devices that prevent them from getting started unless a unique code is transmitted through the vehicle’s key. Engine immobilizers have been an industry standard for years and “substantially” reduce vehicle theft. Yet, both Hyundai and Kia have not included it in their vehicles, the letter said.

A viral social media trend from 2021 put the vulnerability in the spotlight. Individuals calling themselves the “Kia Boyz” uploaded videos to TikTok depicting how easily these vehicles can be stolen.

These individuals only used a USB cable and a screwdriver for the theft, starting the vehicle without using a key in 20–30 seconds. Kia Boyz then encouraged viewers to use this technique to go for dangerous joyrides in stolen vehicles.

There have been multiple incidents of thieves recklessly driving stolen vehicles and causing accidents, according to the attorneys general. There have been at least eight deaths and significant injuries due to such activities, with many of the victims being minors.

The letter cited the example of four teenagers between the ages of 14 and 19 who stole a Kia and ended up dying in a rollover crash in October.

Inefficient Software Updates, Insurance Stoppage

On Feb. 14, Hyundai and Kia launched theft-deterrent software for their models that lacked an immobilizer. The software aimed to “prevent theft of millions of vehicles targeted by social media challenge,” according to an NHTSA press release.

“The software updates the theft alarm software logic to extend the length of the alarm sound from 30 seconds to one minute and requires the key to be in the ignition switch to turn the vehicle on.”

However, the letter notes that the software updates are “insufficient to protect drivers and the general public.”

Hyundai has already acknowledged that around 15 percent of the affected vehicles cannot accommodate the software updates, the letter pointed out. Kia also admitted that an “unspecified number” of vehicles cannot receive the updates.

Multiple insurance firms like Progressive and State Farm have stopped providing coverage for certain models of Hyundai and Kia.

“To address these crimes, we continue 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,” said Kia in an emailed statement to The Epoch Times. “To date, Kia has contacted over two million owners and lessees of Kia vehicles to let them know of the availability of the software upgrade, and more than 165,000 eligible customers have already had the upgrade installed.

“Furthermore, in addition to supplying more than 39,000 free steering wheel locks to over 275 law enforcement agencies across the country for distribution to impacted Kia owners, we have shipped nearly 8,000 locks directly to impacted owners as well. We will continue to provide additional free locks as they are needed.”