Hyundai and Kia to Provide Free Repairs Following Nationwide Settlement
In a significant development for vehicle safety, automakers Hyundai and Kia are mandated to deliver complimentary repairs to millions of cars as part of a settlement publicized on Tuesday by Minnesota’s Attorney General, Keith Ellison.
This action follows a collaborative effort by multiple states that contended these vehicles were inadequately equipped with essential anti-theft technology, rendering them susceptible to larceny.
The nationwide accord, which could entail expenses exceeding $500 million, necessitates that both manufacturers offer no-cost repairs to eligible vehicles.
In addition, future models sold in the United States are required to incorporate an engine immobilizer, a critical device aimed at thwarting theft. Compensation of up to $4.5 million will also be allocated to individuals whose cars have been compromised by theft.
The settlement resulted from the concerted efforts of 35 states, including prominent ones such as California, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Affected vehicles stretch in model years from 2011 to 2022, affecting a staggering 9 million units sold nationwide.
A surge in thefts of Hyundai and Kia vehicles has been notably linked to the viral dissemination of instructional videos on platforms like TikTok, which explicate how to pilfer these cars using merely a screwdriver and a USB cable.
Minneapolis alone recorded an astonishing 836% uptick in such thefts between 2021 and 2022, prompting Ellison to initiate an investigation into the automakers in early 2023.
Ellison highlighted a disconcerting disparity: while engine immobilizers were installed on models sold in both Mexico and Canada, their absence in many U.S. vehicles has precipitated a wave of burglaries, criminal activities, and accidents that have resulted in injuries and fatalities, including among adolescents.
“The crisis we are discussing today originated in a boardroom, proliferated across the Internet, and culminated in tragic outcomes when these vehicles were unlawfully appropriated,” Ellison remarked during a press conference where he was flanked by Twin Cities officials, a victim who lost her mother due to a collision involving a stolen Kia, and another individual whose vehicle has been stolen nine times, even post a previous software remedy.
As part of the corrective measures stipulated by the settlement, Hyundai and Kia will install a zinc sleeve designed to deter potential thieves from tampering with a vehicle’s ignition system to facilitate unauthorized starts.
Eligible customers will have one year from the notice issued by the companies to obtain the repair at authorized dealerships, with services anticipated to be available from early 2026 to early 2027.
In an official statement, Kia expressed its dedication to enhancing customer safety and mitigating theft incidents.
“Kia is committed to collaborating with law enforcement and various officials at federal, state, and local levels to combat car theft and to address the influence of social media in this epidemic, ensuring the highest standards of vehicle security,” the company affirmed.
The Associated Press reached out to Hyundai for a statement but has yet to receive a response.
Source link: Waow.com.
