No recall for theft-prone Hyundai, Kia vehicles, NHTSA says

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!

Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:

• Honda announces recall on Odyssey, Pilot, Passport vehicles due to rearview camera defect
• BMW announces recall for iX vehicles due to unintentional cruise control activation
• 6M Chrysler owners certified in multidistrict legislation over exploding Takata air bags
• Ford class action alleges vehicles with 10R80 10-speed transmission contain defect