Hyundai and Kia to Retrofit 7 Million Vehicles in Response to Theft Issues

Korean automakers Hyundai and Kia have reached an agreement to retrofit 7 million vehicles in the U.S. to tackle rising theft concerns. This initiative follows an investigation led by a bipartisan coalition of 35 attorneys general.

On December 16, the state attorneys general announced that the automakers will provide free zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protectors to owners of eligible vehicles. This includes those that were previously only eligible for software updates. Additionally, Hyundai and Kia have committed to equipping all future U.S. vehicles with engine immobilizer anti-theft technology, a measure aimed at curbing car thefts that have gained notoriety through TikTok and other social media platforms.

Hyundai has indicated that nearly 4 million vehicles will receive the hardware update, while Kia will cover approximately 3.1 million U.S. vehicles.

Regulators reported in 2023 that TikTok videos demonstrating how to steal cars lacking push-button ignitions and immobilizing anti-theft devices have resulted in at least 14 crashes and eight fatalities across the United States.

Automakers to Pay Restitution

In addition to the retrofitting efforts, Hyundai and Kia will pay up to $9 million in restitution to consumers and states to help cover the costs associated with the investigation. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison noted that the expense of installing ignition cylinder protectors on all eligible vehicles could surpass $500 million, based on estimates provided by the automakers.

“By failing to include industry-standard anti-theft technology in their vehicles, Hyundai and Kia unleashed a wave of auto thefts that cost Minnesotans their cars, their hard-earned money, and sometimes even their lives,” Ellison stated.

Hyundai emphasized that resolving the investigation marks a significant step in addressing thefts involving specific model-year vehicles from 2011 to 2022 that lack engine immobilizers. “This cooperative agreement builds upon Hyundai’s ongoing efforts to enhance vehicle security in response to a method of theft popularized on social media,” the company said.

Kia echoed this sentiment, stating that the agreement represents “the latest in a series of steps that Kia has taken to support our customers who have been impacted by criminals.” The automaker explained that the zinc-sleeve hardware modification is designed to combat the theft method inspired by social media by reinforcing the ignition cylinder body and preventing its removal.

Eligible consumers will receive notifications in early 2026 and will have until the end of March 2027 to have the ignition cylinder protector installed at local dealerships.

Earlier in 2023, Hyundai and Kia settled a consumer class-action lawsuit for $200 million due to widespread car thefts involving their vehicles. Additionally, the automakers offered software upgrades to 8.3 million U.S. vehicles that lacked anti-theft immobilizers.

Topics
Fraud

Korean automakers Hyundai and Kia have reached an agreement to retrofit 7 million vehicles in the U.S. to tackle rising theft concerns. This initiative follows an investigation led by a bipartisan coalition of 35 attorneys general.

On December 16, the state attorneys general announced that the automakers will provide free zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protectors to owners of eligible vehicles. This includes those that were previously only eligible for software updates. Additionally, Hyundai and Kia have committed to equipping all future U.S. vehicles with engine immobilizer anti-theft technology, a measure aimed at curbing car thefts that have gained notoriety through TikTok and other social media platforms.

Hyundai has indicated that nearly 4 million vehicles will receive the hardware update, while Kia will cover approximately 3.1 million U.S. vehicles.

Regulators reported in 2023 that TikTok videos demonstrating how to steal cars lacking push-button ignitions and immobilizing anti-theft devices have resulted in at least 14 crashes and eight fatalities across the United States.

Automakers to Pay Restitution

In addition to the retrofitting efforts, Hyundai and Kia will pay up to $9 million in restitution to consumers and states to help cover the costs associated with the investigation. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison noted that the expense of installing ignition cylinder protectors on all eligible vehicles could surpass $500 million, based on estimates provided by the automakers.

“By failing to include industry-standard anti-theft technology in their vehicles, Hyundai and Kia unleashed a wave of auto thefts that cost Minnesotans their cars, their hard-earned money, and sometimes even their lives,” Ellison stated.

Hyundai emphasized that resolving the investigation marks a significant step in addressing thefts involving specific model-year vehicles from 2011 to 2022 that lack engine immobilizers. “This cooperative agreement builds upon Hyundai’s ongoing efforts to enhance vehicle security in response to a method of theft popularized on social media,” the company said.

Kia echoed this sentiment, stating that the agreement represents “the latest in a series of steps that Kia has taken to support our customers who have been impacted by criminals.” The automaker explained that the zinc-sleeve hardware modification is designed to combat the theft method inspired by social media by reinforcing the ignition cylinder body and preventing its removal.

Eligible consumers will receive notifications in early 2026 and will have until the end of March 2027 to have the ignition cylinder protector installed at local dealerships.

Earlier in 2023, Hyundai and Kia settled a consumer class-action lawsuit for $200 million due to widespread car thefts involving their vehicles. Additionally, the automakers offered software upgrades to 8.3 million U.S. vehicles that lacked anti-theft immobilizers.

Topics
Fraud