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Kia lawsuit overview:
- Who: Plaintiff Mary Horne has filed a class action lawsuit against Kia America Inc. and Hyundai Motor America Inc.
- Why: Kia and Hyundai vehicles are allegedly not equipped with engine immobilizers, leaving them vulnerable to theft.
- Where: The Kia lawsuit was filed in Georgia federal court.
Kia and Hyundai vehicles have a significant defect in which they do not have a theft-preventing engine immobilizer, according to a recent class action lawsuit.
Plaintiff Mary Horne explains in the Kia lawsuit that an engine immobilizer prevents the theft of unattended vehicles. It works by transmitting a code to the vehicle when a key is inserted or if the vehicle’s key fob is inside the vehicle.
Horne alleges that it is common knowledge that the vehicles lack an engine immobilizer and as a result theft of Kia and Hyundai vehicles has increased significantly across the country.
Kia lawsuit says Kia and Hyundai vehicles do not comply with federal safety regulations
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 114 requires a vehicle’s engine to be started only when the key is present, the Kia lawsuit explains. Therefore, when a key is removed from a vehicle, its starting system must prevent the normal activation of the engine or motor, and prevent steering or forward self-mobility of the vehicle.
Horne says Kia and Hyundai vehicles do not comply with this law because the engine can be activated when the key is not present, and removal of the key allegedly does not prevent steering or forward movement of the vehicle.
“If Defendant’s vehicles were manufactured to comply with FMVSS 114, then Defendants’ vehicles would not be stolen at such alarming rates because when the key is removed from the starting system, both steering and forward self-mobility would be prevented,” the Kia lawsuit says.
Kia and Hyundai knew that their vehicles were defective and did not comply with FMVSS 114, according to the Kia lawsuit. Despite this knowledge, the automakers failed to disclose the defect to consumers.
Kia and Hyundai have not provided a solution for people with vehicles that lack engine immobilizers, plaintiff says
Horne notes that Kia and Hyundai have responded to the significant rise in vehicle thefts by installing engine immobilizers in their new vehicles, but she says the automakers have not provided a solution for the thousands of Kia and Hyundai owners whose vehicles are not equipped with engine immobilizers.
The Kia class action lawsuit asserts claims for breach of warranty, negligent failure to warn, design defect, and unjust enrichment.
Horne filed the Kia class action lawsuit on behalf of proposed classes of U.S. and Georgia residents who purchased or leased a Kia or Hyundai vehicle that did not include an engine immobilizer.
What do you think about the Kia lawsuit allegations that Hyundai and Kia vehicles do not have engine immobilizers? Join the discussion in the comments!
Horne is represented by Cale Conley of Conley Griggs Partin LLP and Timothy J. Becker, Jacob R. Rusch, and Zackary S. Kaylor of Johnson Becker PLLC.
The Kia Class Action Lawsuit is Mary Horne v. Kia America Inc., et al., Case No. 1:22-cv-04062-SEG, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta Division.
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255 thoughts onKia, Hyundai class action lawsuit says vehicles lack engine immobilizer to prevent theft
My 21 Kia soul was broken into window was smashed the entire dashboard steering column looked like spaghetti. It cost me hundreds of dollars. When will I get a reimbursement ? Plus I was supposed to have surgery and that had to be postponed because of this. I still don’t have the device on my car so who knows if it will happen again.
Kia is responsible for this and should have to pay for we as consumers had to pay.
My Hyundai was stolen twice. After the second time where there was damage the insurance company totaled it out. How do I join this class action. I thought this site would give that kind of information. I don’t see it?
My car was stolen in May and totaled out. I need to be contacted about joining this lawsuit
How do i become part of this?? My 2017 Hyundai Elantra was stolen in August 2022. We did find it… However, it obtained lots of damage. Unfortunately I’m still driving it and it has not been repaired due to parts being on back order.
I had a 2020 Kia Sportage. On Sept. 22, 2022 my car was stolen out the Apt parking lot. My insurance AAA retrieved October 13, 2022. My car was totaled. The tow lot said they stole my car with my own USB cord.
How do I sign up for this lawsuit I have a 2014 Hyundai and a 2017 kia
My kia has been stolen 3 times only thing that saved it is I have a crap battery but I have paid for a new window 3 times at 585 a pop my steering column is shot
My car had the update and still was stolen and now it been totaled out.
I want a attorney to call me.
My car had the update and 2 weeks later it was stolen
I want to be contacted by attorney
Me too. I have a 2011 Hyundai sonata
I’ve a 2011 Hyundai sonata I’ve had all kinds of problems with my Hyundai from the steering wheel locking on me the motor. Someone trying to get inside the car, me catching them in running off.
My car was stolen. And wreck on June 1. It will probably be totaled. I am a disabled senior citizen