Cincinnati attorneys have filed a class action lawsuit against Kia and Hyundai after a number of car thefts. It claims the companies are manufacturing vehicles that are knowingly easy to steal."I walked right out my patio steps and I turned to the left where my car was parked at the end of the driveway and it was not there," Kyler Davis said in July to WLWT.Davis is one of many victims dealing with a nationwide crime spree involving Kia and Hyundai cars. Kia models from 2011-2022 and Hyundai models from 2015-2022 are now being called into question.In a class action lawsuit filed by five people, including two in Cincinnati, certain models are vulnerable."Unlike most vehicles, the Class Vehicles are not equipped with an "immobilizer" preventing them from being started unless a code is transmitted from the Vehicle's specific smart key," the lawsuit states.Consumers claim it allows thieves to steal these cars by using things like a USB cable to start the engine. One victim from Cincinnati claims their 2019 Kia Forte was found by police with smashed windows and the steering column destroyed. It's a similar story across the country. Ken McClain is an attorney who filed a similar suit against Kia and Hyundai in Missouri and Kansas."We frankly were surprised, a modern manufacturer, particularly one that sells so many cars, would so utterly fail to include the common safety devices that are found on other models uniformly throughout the industry," McClain said. In a statement to WLWT Hyundai said, "Hyundai Motor America is concerned about the recent rise in auto thefts of certain Hyundai model vehicles. While all of our vehicles meet or exceed Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, unfortunately, our vehicles have been targeted in a coordinated effort on social media. Criminals are targeting our vehicles without engine immobilizers. Immobilizers became standard on all vehicles produced after November 1, 2021.In order to assist customers with earlier model year vehicles without an immobilizer, Hyundai has been working with and will continue to support local police departments to make steering wheel locks available for affected Hyundai owners. Additionally, Hyundai has identified a Firstech / Compustar security kit that targets the method of entry thieves are using to access these vehicles. Beginning Oct. 1, 2022, this security kit will be available for purchase and installation at Hyundai dealerships and Compustar authorized installers across the country. Hyundai will provide additional details soon, and customers who have questions can always contact the Hyundai Consumer Assistance Center at 800-633-5151."Kia sent WLWT this statement saying, "Kia America remains concerned about the increase in auto thefts of a subset of Kia vehicles. It is unfortunate that criminals are using social media to target vehicles without engine immobilizers in a coordinated effort. All of our vehicles meet or exceed Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.While no car can be made theft-proof, criminals are seeking vehicles solely equipped with a steel key and “turn-to-start” ignition system. The majority of Kia vehicles in the United States are equipped with a key fob and “push-button-to-start” system, making them more difficult to steal. All 2022 Kia models and trims have an immobilizer applied either at the beginning of the model year or as a running change.Kia America has provided steering wheel lock devices at no cost to law enforcement in affected areas to deter vandalism and theft. That effort will continue in close coordination with local police departments for distribution to concerned owners of Kia vehicles not originally equipped with an immobilizer.Kia customers with questions regarding their specific vehicle should contact the Consumer Assistance center directly at 1-800-333-4542(4Kia)."
CINCINNATI —
Cincinnati attorneys have filed a class action lawsuit against Kia and Hyundai after a number of car thefts. It claims the companies are manufacturing vehicles that are knowingly easy to steal.
"I walked right out my patio steps and I turned to the left where my car was parked at the end of the driveway and it was not there," Kyler Davis said in July to WLWT.
Davis is one of many victims dealing with a nationwide crime spree involving Kia and Hyundai cars.
Kia models from 2011-2022 and Hyundai models from 2015-2022 are now being called into question.
In a class action lawsuit filed by five people, including two in Cincinnati, certain models are vulnerable.
"Unlike most vehicles, the Class Vehicles are not equipped with an "immobilizer" preventing them from being started unless a code is transmitted from the Vehicle's specific smart key," the lawsuit states.
Consumers claim it allows thieves to steal these cars by using things like a USB cable to start the engine.
One victim from Cincinnati claims their 2019 Kia Forte was found by police with smashed windows and the steering column destroyed.
It's a similar story across the country. Ken McClain is an attorney who filed a similar suit against Kia and Hyundai in Missouri and Kansas.
"We frankly were surprised, a modern manufacturer, particularly one that sells so many cars, would so utterly fail to include the common safety devices that are found on other models uniformly throughout the industry," McClain said.
In a statement to WLWT Hyundai said, "Hyundai Motor America is concerned about the recent rise in auto thefts of certain Hyundai model vehicles. While all of our vehicles meet or exceed Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, unfortunately, our vehicles have been targeted in a coordinated effort on social media. Criminals are targeting our vehicles without engine immobilizers. Immobilizers became standard on all vehicles produced after November 1, 2021.
In order to assist customers with earlier model year vehicles without an immobilizer, Hyundai has been working with and will continue to support local police departments to make steering wheel locks available for affected Hyundai owners. Additionally, Hyundai has identified a Firstech / Compustar security kit that targets the method of entry thieves are using to access these vehicles.
Beginning Oct. 1, 2022, this security kit will be available for purchase and installation at Hyundai dealerships and Compustar authorized installers across the country.
Hyundai will provide additional details soon, and customers who have questions can always contact the Hyundai Consumer Assistance Center at 800-633-5151."
Kia sent WLWT this statement saying, "Kia America remains concerned about the increase in auto thefts of a subset of Kia vehicles. It is unfortunate that criminals are using social media to target vehicles without engine immobilizers in a coordinated effort. All of our vehicles meet or exceed Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
While no car can be made theft-proof, criminals are seeking vehicles solely equipped with a steel key and “turn-to-start” ignition system. The majority of Kia vehicles in the United States are equipped with a key fob and “push-button-to-start” system, making them more difficult to steal. All 2022 Kia models and trims have an immobilizer applied either at the beginning of the model year or as a running change.
Kia America has provided steering wheel lock devices at no cost to law enforcement in affected areas to deter vandalism and theft. That effort will continue in close coordination with local police departments for distribution to concerned owners of Kia vehicles not originally equipped with an immobilizer.
Kia customers with questions regarding their specific vehicle should contact the Consumer Assistance center directly at 1-800-333-4542(4Kia)."
