Several U.S. cities, including Rochester, New York, have filed lawsuits against automakers Hyundai and Kia, accusing them of making vehicles that are unusually easy to steal, leading to increased crime and financial burdens. Represented by Seattle-based law firm Keller Rohrback, these municipalities argue that Hyundai and Kia failed to install engine immobilizers in many vehicles manufactured between 2011 and 2021. This omission has allegedly resulted in a significant rise in car thefts, as these devices are standard in most modern vehicles to prevent unauthorized engine starts. For instance, in 2015, only 26% of Hyundai and Kia vehicles had immobilizers, compared to 96% of vehicles from other automakers.
The problem escalated in 2022 when TikTok videos demonstrating how to steal these cars using USB cables went viral, leading to theft surges. Rochester saw a staggering 2,400% increase in stolen Hyundai and Kia vehicles in early 2023, while Seattle reported theft increases of 363% and 503% for Hyundai and Kia vehicles, respectively, from 2021 to 2022. Other automakers, like Ford, experienced only a 60% rise during the same period. The lawsuits allege that the automakers’ cost-cutting decisions to omit immobilizers resulted in widespread thefts and public safety risks.
Hyundai and Kia claim the lawsuits lack merit, insisting that their vehicles comply with federal anti-theft standards. Hyundai points out that immobilizers were made standard on all its vehicles by 2021 and that the affected models represent a small percentage of their fleet. Both companies have taken steps to address the issue, offering free software upgrades, steering wheel locks, and insurance programs in collaboration with AAA. Kia emphasized its efforts to provide security upgrades and preventative measures for over 180,000 customers.
Despite these measures, the lawsuits argue that the automakers should be held accountable for damages caused by their failure to adopt widely used anti-theft technology earlier. Stolen vehicles have been linked to numerous crimes, such as smash-and-grab burglaries and serious accidents, underscoring the broader societal impacts. The litigation portrays Hyundai and Kia’s decision as a public nuisance that could have been avoided if industry standards were followed. It also connects the thefts to tragic incidents, including the deaths of teenagers during car crashes involving stolen vehicles.
This case is one of several legal battles faced by Hyundai and Kia. They are also dealing with allegations of defective engines and another lawsuit linked to wrongful deaths resulting from stolen vehicles involved in accidents. Critics argue that the companies prioritized profits over safety by neglecting to include immobilizers, a standard technology since the 1990s. While Hyundai and Kia plan to contest the lawsuits, the issue raises broader concerns about automakers’ responsibility to meet evolving safety and security expectations.