Hyundai, Kia theft no recall overview:
- Who: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said the reason behind a wave of Hyundai and Kia thefts does not meet its criteria for a nationwide recall, rejecting a request for one made by a total of 18 attorneys general.
- Why: The NHTSA said vehicles are not federally required to be equipped with an engine immobilizer, and that it does not take the actions of criminal actors hotwiring vehicles into account when determining whether a recall is necessary.
- Where: Nationwide.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has determined that a TikTok trend resulting in a wave of thefts of Hyundai and Kia vehicles does not meet the agency’s criteria for a nationwide recall.
The NHTSA’s acting associate director of enforcement, in a letter to attorney generals from a total of 18 states, said the agency found the car theft issue does not constitute “either a safety defect or noncompliance requiring a recall,” reports NBC News.
Hyundai and Kia agreed to pay more than $200 million in May to resolve claims the automakers sold model year 2011-2022 vehicles that were not equipped with an engine immobilizer, making them vulnerable to theft.
The NHTSA, meanwhile, said the federal standard for automotive safety does not require a vehicle to be equipped with an engine immobilizer, and that criminal actions taken to hotwire a vehicle are not taken into account when determining whether a recall is needed.
Attorneys general request Hyundai, Kia vehicles be retrofitted with engine immobilizer
Led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, the attorney generals wrote to the NHTSA in April to request the agency announce a recall for model year 2011-2022 Hyundai and Kia vehicles not equipped with an engine immobilizer, reports NBC News.
The attorneys general, as part of their recall request, also asked the NHTSA to require that the vehicles be retrofitted with engine immobilizers to prevent them from being vulnerable to theft going forward.
“Thefts of these Hyundai and Kia vehicles have led to at least eight deaths, numerous injuries and property damage, and they have diverted significant police and emergency services resources from other priorities,” the attorneys general wrote, reports NBC News.
Earlier this month, a trio of cities — including Columbus, Ohio; Milwaukee, and Seattle — joined a sprawling multidistrict litigation that is currently in a California federal court over claims Hyundai and Kia left their vehicles vulnerable to theft.
The cities argue a rash of Hyundai and Kia vehicle thefts qualifies as a public nuisance as it has forced them to siphon off resources from local law enforcement and first responders to address the issue.
The MDL also contains around 60 lawsuits brought by consumers and a number of complaints from insurers.
Do you own a model year 2011-2022 Kia or Hyundai vehicle? Let us know in the comments!
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194 thoughts onNo recall for theft-prone Hyundai, Kia vehicles, NHTSA says
I own a 2019 KIA Sportage it was stolen from the front of my house It’s not fair when you need to pay your Co payment so they can fix your car on top of all your personal belongings that you don’t get back.
I ordered the steering wheel locking device for my Kia Soul. Unfortunately, my colleague’s Kia was stolen from in front of his house prior to receiving the locking device. He alerted me and I ordered immediately as I unaware of the TikTok challenge.
I have a 2020 Hyundai and was not aware of this issue until now!
I have a 2022 Kia Forte and have not been notified about this
I own a Kia Soul 2013
I have 2021 hyndai elantra.use a club. No theft
I have 2 kia’s a 2010 & 2015
I have 2017 Hyundai elantra it was stole
I would like to be apart of the settlement I have a 2016 kia optima
Please include me. 2017 Hyundai
count me in.