Hyundai and Kia will repair millions of vehicles under a deal to fix anti-theft technology
Automakers Hyundai and Kia must offer free repairs on millions of models under a settlement announced Tuesday by Minnesota’s attorney general, who led an effort by dozens of states that claimed the vehicles were not equipped with proper anti-theft technology, making them vulnerable to theft.
Under the nationwide settlement, the companies will offer free repair to all eligible vehicles, at a cost that could exceed $500 million, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said. Hyundai and Kia must also equip all future vehicles sold in the United States with a key piece of technology called an engine immobilizer and pay up to $4.5 million in compensation to people whose vehicles were damaged by thieves.
The settlement was reached by 35 states, including California, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. Vehicles eligible for the fixes date back to 2011 and as recently as 2022. Approximately 9 million eligible vehicles have been sold nationwide.
Thefts of Hyundai and Kia vehicles increased in part because as of 2021, videos posted to TikTok and other social networks showed how someone could steal a car with just a screwdriver and a USB cable. Minneapolis reported an 836% increase in thefts from Hyundai and Kia between 2021 and 2022. Ellison announced an investigation into the automakers in early 2023.
Ellison said both companies installed engine immobilizers on cars sold in Mexico and Canada but not widely in the United States, leading to car thefts, crimes and crashes that injured and even killed people, including teenagers.
“This crisis that we’re talking about today started in a boardroom, spread across the Internet and ended with tragic results when someone stole these cars,” Ellison said at a news conference.
He was joined by Twin Cities officials, a woman whose mother was killed when a stolen Kia crashed into her parents’ vehicle and a man whose car was stolen nine times — as recently as Monday evening, including seven times after a previous software fix.
Under the settlement, Hyundai and Kia will install a zinc sleeve to prevent potential thieves from opening a vehicle’s ignition cylinder and starting the car.
Eligible customers will have one year from the date of notification to the companies to obtain the repair from an authorized dealer. Repairs are expected to be available between early 2026 and early 2027.
In separate statements, the automakers said the deal was one of multiple anti-theft efforts they have made to help their customers.
“Kia looks forward to continuing to work with law enforcement and officials at the federal, state and local levels to combat criminal auto theft, and the role social media has played in encouraging it, and we remain fully committed to maintaining vehicle security,” the company said.
Hyundai said: “We will continue to take significant measures to support our customers and ensure their peace of mind. »
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Dura has been reported in Bismarck, North Dakota.
