WASHINGTON — A group of 22 U.S. state attorneys general overview on monday blow up hyundai engine and that Corp and said it needed to do more to resolve issues with Millions of Hyundai and Kia cars are easily stolen.
Last month, Korean automakers said they would supply Software upgrade for 8.3 million US vehicles help limit growth car theft using a method common on TikTok and other social media channels.
“This increase in thefts of vulnerable vehicles is truly shocking,” said the letter from 22 states and the District of Columbia led by Wisconsin Attorney General Joshua Kaul. “More needs to be done so that any existing owner can get one of these devices for free as soon as possible – especially those whose cars are not compatible with the software upgrade. that you recently published.”
The attorney general’s letter says the automakers have failed to take the appropriate steps to address the alarming rate of theft and urges them to accelerate implementation of software upgrades and provide measures. Free replacement protection for car owners who cannot support software upgrades.
Kia and Hyundai said Monday they have contacted more than 2.1 million customers to advise them on software upgrades. Kia said it is actively working with the authorities insurance service providers “to ensure our customers have access to quality and comprehensive coverage.”
Hyundai says all of its vehicles meet US anti-theft requirements and has begun offering refunds to eligible customers for steering wheel lock Purchase. The letter said there were more than 7,000 thefts of Hyundai and Kia vehicles in Chicago by 2022, accounting for 10% of Kia and 7% of Hyundai vehicles registered in the city.
Earlier this month, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said he had opened a civil investigation into how Kia and Hyundai sold vehicles to Minnesota consumers that lacked anti-theft technology, industry standards, and search documentation, and answer the sworn questions.
In Minneapolis in 2022, thefts of Kia and Hyundai vehicles were linked to five homicides and 265 motor vehicle crashes, Ellison said.
Videos on TikTok showing how to steal cars without the push of a button and immobilize anti-theft devices have gone viral across the country. This has resulted in at least 14 reported accidents and 8 deaths. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said in February.
The free upgrade will be offered to 3.8 million Hyundai vehicles and 4.5 million Kia vehicles, the automakers and NHTSA said. Hyundai says the upgrade applies to many US models from 2011 to 2022.
Many Hyundai and Kia vehicles do not have electronic immobilizers, which help prevent break-ins and bypass ignition.
An insurance research group says immobilizers were standard on 62% of other manufacturers’ models in 2000, up to 96% in 2015. But they were standard on only 26% of Hyundai vehicles and Kia 2015
Hyundai will also provide customers with a window sticker that warns thieves that the vehicle is equipped with anti-theft protection.
All Hyundai vehicles manufactured since November 2021 are equipped with an engine immobilizer as standard equipment.
