Hyundai, Kia theft no recall overview:ย
- 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.ย
- 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.ย
- 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 agencyโs criteria for a nationwide recall.ย
The NHTSAโs 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 โeither a safety defect or noncompliance requiring a recall,โ reports NBC News.ย
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.ย
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.ย
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.ย
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.ย
โThefts 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,โ the attorneys general wrote, reports NBC News.ย
Earlier this month, a trio of cities โ including Columbus, Ohio; Milwaukee, and Seattle โ joined a sprawling multidistrict litigation that is currently in a California federal court over claims Hyundai and Kia left their vehicles vulnerable to theft.ย
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.ย
The MDL also contains around 60 lawsuits brought by consumers and a number of complaints from insurers.ย
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 have a 2013 Hyundai Tucson. Please add me for this. Thank you
Funny thing is it has the engine that was on a recall but for some reason my particular engine was not included so it was never fixed.
2014 Hyundai Tucson. Iโm scheduled for some type of repair to deal with the theft problem. I think itโs computer related (?) But please add me.
no vehicle is standard with engine immobilizer. I have two vehicles that are of german automakers and neither have an engine immobiliizer and rarely see cars that do. To require these automakers to make it standard as part of a recall seems insane. As if we didnโt already assume these two vehicle makers may be easier to break into already. Buy a club or something to protect from theft, but itโs not something that should be a recall because you bought the car without it and they are prone to being stolen. You can say the same about some car makers and catalytic converters being stolen more than othersโฆ come on, this isnโt about safety or a lemon of a car, this is now about being litigious.
I own a Kia 2021 please add me
I own a 2022 Kia sportage. How do I get added.
I own a Hyundai Elantra 2018 please add me
2022 Kia Sorento, include me
I own a kia
Iโve got a Hyundai sonata 2013 and I canโt get insurance with progressive anymore because they wonโt insure it because itโs a high theft carโฆwhat the heckโฆ
I have a Hyundai Elantra and I have progressive
2017 Hyundai Elantra. Itโs worthless and I canโt even sell it. My insurance rates tripled too for ni reason other than the make and model of my car. I have excellent credit scores and payment history but due to all the thefts, I have to pay a premium for insurance
2020 kia soul
What the heck? Iโm so confused. First thereโs a recall now there isnโt? With all thatโs going onโฆ my Hyundai has had multiple recalls since I got it almost a year ago. I wonder what will be nextโฆ Iโd like to be compensated for going through all this and they need to find a solution to this known and easy way to Jack into a Hyundai car. This is unacceptable.