More Kia and Hyundai cars stolen in the US after TikTok challenge; cities sue companies

New York Mayor Eric Adams announced today that the city will join a nationwide lawsuit against automakers Kia and Hyundai for failing to have anti-theft technology, which has led to a spike in car thefts.

According to a statement from the mayor, the lawsuit is intended to “hold the two companies accountable for refusing to equip certain models of their cars with anti-theft measures.”

Several cities in the United States are being affected by a wave of vehicle thefts kia and Hyundai since a challenge was posted on the TikTok network in August of last year.

The challenge encourages the theft of the models of these two brands that do not have an immobilizer and shows how to do it using a USB cable and a screwdriver. The video has gone viral.

The National Traffic Safety Administration reported that at least 14 crashes and eight deaths have occurred as a result of this challenge.

Mayor Adams noted that because vehicles that are stolen don’t have enough anti-theft devices, the city faced an 890% increase in Kia thefts at the end of last year and a 766% increase in Hyundai in the months prior. .

“We won’t stand by while automakers turn a blind eye to safety and make it easy for criminals to take advantage of New Yorkers.”, he assured.

For his part, the legal director of the city, Hinds Radixstressed that a public safety crisis is increasing in the city due to the “irresponsible business practices” of kia and Hyundai.

He stressed that those who commit these robberies often use the vehicles for other crimes, such as reckless driving or robberies. “This is a big concern for us, and we are taking steps to put an end to it.“, he claimed.

Wave of robberies in several cities

A federal lawsuit filed in March by the city of St. Louis accused automakers Kia and Hyundai of failing to install anti-theft technology in line with industry standards, which has led to thousands of vehicle thefts in this Missouri city.

The suit seeks damages in excess of $75,000, as well as punitive damages. Other cities have filed similar lawsuits, including Cleveland, Milwaukee, San Diego; Columbus, Ohio, and Seattle.

Kias and Hyundais have been targeted by thieves ever since a challenge on social media TikTok noted that those brands’ cars lacked an immobilizer, showing viewers how to jump start vehicles using a USB cable and a screwdriver. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the thefts have led to at least 14 crashes and eight deaths in various parts of the United States.

“Defendants’ negligent disregard for public safety has created a public inconvenience in the city of San Luis, resulting in a boom in auto-related crime that is affecting citizens, straining San Luis’s resources, and putting at risk the public health, safety and peace of all who live, work and visit San Luis”, the lawsuit states.

In a statement, Kia noted that the lawsuits from St. Louis and other cities “they lack merit”.

“Kia has been and continues to be willing to work with law enforcement agencies in St. Louis to combat auto theft and the role (some) social media has played in encouraging it”, the company stated.

For its part, Hyundai Motor America “is committed to ensuring the quality and integrity of our products”, the company said in a statement.