This class action is one among a number filed recently on the same topic: certain Kia and Hyundai vehicles that were made without immobilizers, so that they can easily be stolen. This complaint sues Kia America, Inc., Hyundai Motor America, and Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc., alleging they knew about the problem but actively concealed it from consumers.
The class for this action is all individuals who bought or leased any 2011-2021 Kia or 2015-2021 Hyundai vehicle with a key ignition in Minnesota.
The vehicles at issue in this case do not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 114, which the complaint quotes as saying, “Each vehicle must have a starting system which, whenever the key is removed from the starting system prevents: (a) The normal activation of the vehicle’s engine or motor; and (b) Either steering or forward self-mobility, of the vehicle, or both.”
Because they lack immobilizers, the complaint alleges, they can be stolen simply by taking off a part of the steering column cover and starting the ignition with something other than the key, such as a flathead screwdriver or USB plug.
Stealing these vehicles is so easy that platforms like TikTok offer videos showing step-by-step instructions on how to do it. The activity has been called a “TikTok Kia challenge,” the complaint says, and a group called “Kia Boyz” has made a practice of stealing the vehicles, posting the thefts on YouTube, and encouraging others to do the same. Some of the thieves, the complaint alleges, are children; it cites an article claiming that two of three fourteen-year-olds who stole a Hyundai were killed in the subsequent crash.
Needless to say, thefts of these vehicles have skyrocketed. One police department has issued warning bulletins, as shown on page 9 of the complaint, asking if people own one of the affected vehicles, then saying, “Then you should own one of these…” and showing images of anti-theft devices.
The companies are now building their 2022 models with immobilizers. As to the earlier models, they have not been recalled for repair, nor have owners and lessees been offered reimbursement for their related losses.
The complaint quotes a Car and Driver article as saying, “A new anti-theft security kit Hyundai developed in partnership with Compustar is now available. The kit includes both a kill switch and an alarm.” However, the complaint alleges that the kit costs $170 and the installation around $500, and there is as yet no such kit for Kias.
The problem has gotten bad enough, the complaint alleges, that owners of the vehicles have had difficulty finding insurance that will cover them. Progressive has stopped insuring the vehicles in some areas.
Article Type: LawsuitTopic: Automobile
Most Recent Case Event
Kias, Hyundais Made Without Immobilizers Complaint
October 17, 2022
This class action is one among a number filed recently on the same topic: certain Kia and Hyundai vehicles that were made without immobilizers, so that they can easily be stolen. This complaint sues Kia America, Inc., Hyundai Motor America, and Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc., alleging they knew about the problem but actively concealed it from consumers.
Kias, Hyundais Made Without Immobilizers ComplaintCase Event History
Kias, Hyundais Made Without Immobilizers Complaint
October 17, 2022
This class action is one among a number filed recently on the same topic: certain Kia and Hyundai vehicles that were made without immobilizers, so that they can easily be stolen. This complaint sues Kia America, Inc., Hyundai Motor America, and Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc., alleging they knew about the problem but actively concealed it from consumers.
Kias, Hyundais Made Without Immobilizers Complaint