Kia class action claims vehicles can be stolen with USB cable as shown on TikTok

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Kia theft class action lawsuit overview: 

• Who: Mary Jane Whalen filed a class action lawsuit against Kia America Inc. and Hyundai America Technical Center Inc.
• Why: Whalen claims Kia and Hyundai failed to put engine immobilizers in model year 2011 to 2021 Kia vehicles and 2015 to 2021 Hyundai vehicles, claiming the alleged omission leaves them vulnerable to theft. 
• Where: The class action lawsuit was filed in California federal court. 

Certain Hyundai and Kia vehicles have from a design flaw that makes them prone to theft by allowing anyone with a USB cable to steal them, a new class action lawsuit alleges. 

Plaintiff Mary Jane Whalen claims Kia and Hyundai failed to put engine immobilizers in their vehicles. These are electronic devices she argues would prevent the cars from being started without the correct key in the ignition. 

Whalen argues that, because model year 2011 to 2021 Kia and 2015 to 2021 Hyundai vehicles allegedly do not have an engine immobilizer, a potential car thief must only “pop off a plastic cover on the steering column, plug a USB cable into the column and turn it like any other key to start the engine.” 

“Once thieves discovered this vulnerability, it set off a rash of vehicle thefts across the country,” the Kia class action states. 

Hyundai and Kia theft has increased across the country since people discovered the technique, including allegedly up by 85% in Los Angeles and as much as 800% in Chicago, according to the lawsuit.

Kia class action claims teenagers as young as 11 steal, joyride in vehicles

“Kia and Hyundai’s vehicles are so easy to steal, teenagers and children as young as 11 years old are stealing and joyriding cars and posting their exploits on social media, including one TikTok video that has over 33 million views,” the Kia class action states. 

Whalen wants to represent a nationwide class and New York subclass of consumers who have purchased or leased a Kia or Hyundai vehicle built without an engine immobilizer.

Kia and Hyundai are accused of breach of express warranty and of violating the California Consumer Legal Remedies Act and the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, among other things. 

Whalen demands a jury trial and requests declaratory and injunctive relief along with an award of compensatory, exemplary and statutory damages for herself and all class members. 

A consumer filed a similar class action lawsuit against Kia and Hyundai in August, arguing the companies failed to disclose that its model year 2011 to 2021 vehicles contain a defect that makes it easier for them to be stolen. 

Have you purchased or leased a Hyundai or Kia vehicle that does not contain an engine immobilizer? Let us know in the comments! 

The plaintiff is represented by Kevin Ruf and Brian P. Murray of Glancy Prongy & Murray LLP. 

The Kia theft class action lawsuit is Whalen v. Kia America Inc., et al., Case No. 8:22-cv-01987, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

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