The attorneys general of 17 states have asked the federal government to recall Hyundai and Kia vehicles that lack some safety features and can be easily stolen.
The
letter states that certain Hyundai and Kia vehicles manufactured
between 2011 and 2022 are easily hotwired, making them a target for car
thieves.
- According to federal regulators, 3.8 million Hyundai and 4.5 million Kia vehicles are affected.
- Los Angeles reported an 85% increase in thefts of Hyundai and Kia vehicles in 2022.
- Minneapolis said thefts of the two vehicles surged by 836% last year.
- The
letter, which was sent to the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration, said that eight deaths have been linked to traffic
accidents involving stolen Hyundai and Kia vehicles.
- The
letter authors ask the agency "to exercise its authority to order a
mandatory recall or ensure Hyundai and Kia institute a voluntary
recall."
- In 2021, TikTok videos showing how to steal Hyundais and Kias went viral.
