Lawsuit to be filed against Kia, Hyundai over vehicle thefts
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Attorney Zach Klein announced Monday his intent to file a lawsuit against Kia and Hyundai for their failure to include anti-theft technology in vehicles that have led to increasing theft in Columbus, Ohio.
The city has seen a more than 450% increase in the number of Kia and Hyundai thefts over the past year, an average of 17 thefts each day, according to Klein's attorney's office.
Kia and Hyundai models account for nearly two-thirds of all vehicle theft attempts in Columbus so far this year.
For years, Kia and Hyundai cut corners and sold vehicles they knew were so unsafe they could be stolen with ease by a teenager with access to simple tools and a TikTok account,” said Klein. “Kia and Hyundai’s negligence in pursuit of corporate profit is unconscionable. It’s time we held these automakers accountable for cheating consumers and passing the buck and responsibility to clean up the mess they made onto the rest of us.”
These thefts have been highlighted on social media where individuals describe how to steal a vehicle in a matter of minutes with a screwdriver and USB charger. The "Kia Boyz" is a group that targets and steals Kia and Hyundai vehicles and then posts their exploits on social media, challenging others to do the same.
“In my 16 months as the chief of police, I have often asked what more can we do as an agency to save our children from themselves. We enforce the laws, are engaged with parents, collaborate with our judicial system and are exploring programming in our schools,” said Columbus Chief of Police Elaine Bryant. “And on this issue, we’ve asked Kia and Hyundai for their assistance. To date, we have received no meaningful cooperation. These automakers should be just as concerned as we are that their products are so easily accessible and are being used to commit felonious acts. As a result, our children are putting not only the community in harm’s way but themselves, as well. We owe it to our children and our community to do all we can to prevent these often tragic events from occurring.”
City officials believe the rash of these vehicle thefts has cost consumers insurance companies, local governments and law enforcement millions of dollars over the past year alone. In addition, a number of juveniles have seriously injured themselves or have died during the joyrides after easily stealing cars with tools as simple as a screwdriver and USB cable.
The attorney's office said despite Kia and Hyundai knowing of the security deficiencies of their vehicles, they have refused to recall or repair vehicles to better secure them from theft.
“The victims of these thefts aren’t CEOs and executives, they’re teachers and servers, retail workers and nurses—people whose lives have been upended and who’ve likely spent nights lying awake thinking about how they’re going to afford to buy a new car while putting food on the table and making rent,” added Klein. “These victims had their cars stolen through no fault of their own. They shouldn’t have to bear the responsibility to make this right. The corporations who put profit above all else should be held accountable.”
WSYX contacted both automakers about the announced lawsuit.
Hyundai Motor America sent the following statement:
We remain concerned about the increase in thefts of certain Hyundai vehicles that have been targeted in a coordinated social media campaign. Currently, Hyundai provides steering wheel locks, as available, to law enforcement agencies in impacted areas. In addition, Hyundai will provide two other options for owners of these earlier model-year vehicles targeted by thieves.
1. Hyundai has released a glass break sensor security kit that targets the method of entry used by thieves to break into these vehicles. These kits are available for purchase and installation at Hyundai dealerships and Compustar-authorized installers across the country. The MSRP for the kit is $170, and the estimated cost for installation may vary by location.
2. Hyundai is also developing a software update to further secure these targeted vehicles. We anticipate that this software update will become available for certain vehicles in the first half of 2023, with updates for other vehicles following thereafter.
Please note that all Hyundai vehicles meet or exceed Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Some earlier models, without a push-button ignition, do not have engine immobilizers. In November 2021, engine immobilizers became standard on all Hyundai vehicles produced.
Customers who have questions can contact the Hyundai Customer Care Center at 800-633-5151.
Kia sent WSYX the following statement:
Kia remains concerned about the recent trend among youth in some areas, encouraged by social media, to target certain Kia cars with a steel key and “turn-to-start” ignition systems. In many cases, the vehicles are stolen solely for the purpose of operating in a reckless manner. Such criminal conduct endangers our local communities and violates property rights.
While no car can be made completely theft-proof, Kia continues to make steering wheel locks available to customers through interested local law enforcement agencies, subject to available supply, at no cost to concerned owners of these vehicles.
Kia also continues its efforts to develop additional solutions for vehicles not originally equipped with an immobilizer, including the development and testing of enhanced security software.
All 2022 models and trims have an immobilizer applied either at the beginning of the year or as a running change, and all Kia vehicles meet or exceed Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
Kia customers with questions regarding their Kia vehicle should contact the Kia Consumer Assistance Center directly at 1-800-333-4542 (Kia).
Neither Hyundai nor Kia addressed the potential lawsuit Klein said will be filed in the coming weeks
Klein said he intends to file the lawsuit on behalf of the City of Columbus in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, but first needs the city council to approve a contract to hire a special counsel for the city in the case.