States demand more action from Hyundai, Kia to prevent thefts

The Hill ^ | 03/21/2023 | JULIA SHAPERO

[ChicagoConservative27]

A group of 23 state attorneys general are demanding that Hyundai and Kia take further action to prevent an ongoing surge of thefts, after a recent social media trend highlighted the vehicles’ lack of a particular anti-theft device.

Hyundai and Kia opted not to equip their cars with engine immobilizers until late 2021, an anti-theft device that the attorneys general argued became an industry standard several years earlier.

The automakers announced last month that they were rolling out a software update to their vehicles that would extend the alarm sound and require the key be in the ignition to start.

However, the state attorneys general noted in a letter to the carmakers on Monday that the companies’ software update will not be available to most affected vehicles until June and cannot be installed on some models for technical reasons.

[mowowie]

The ignition lock that uses a key is extremely easy to remove in those cars.
After that there is a tab below that a USB cable fits right on snugly..or use needle nose pliers.
A twist of the usb plug starts the car right up and away you go for your crazy joy ride smashing up everything in your path.
After totaling your stolen car one just takes off to go find another one.

[mowowie]

shoulda scrolled down more..
:)

[Nifster]

Maybe the states need to incarcerate criminals

[minnesota_bound]

I had owned a used 1977 Oldsmobile Delta 88 that was stolen. They pulled up the lock with a slimjim tool then shattered the cheap potted metal that GM used for the steering column then used a screwdriver to start the car by pulling up a rod. They also smashed the windshield just because. The car was recovered the next day minus the radio.

I had to use a screwdriver to start the car until I had my steering column replaced.

I have a 2016 Honda Accord that has a alarm system that locked ME out until the dealership fixed it.
I had bought the car the night before and was locked out when I went to go to work the next day.

[TChad]

The owners of these cars should think the same....or maybe a secret kill switch somewhere..

A long time ago, a kill switch that I installed saved my car. I think they have gone out of vogue.

[mewzilla]

Update from Upstate NY...

https://www.wkbw.com/news/local-news/city-of-buffalo-files-lawsuit-against-kia-and-hyundai

Can you say cash grab, boys and girls?

I knew you could!

[mewzilla]

ChuckU has waded in with an interesting stat...

https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/schumer-dangerous-and-infuriating-surge-of-kia-hyundai-car-thefts-in-upstate-ny-is-out-of-control_350-stolen-in-buffalo-this-year-alone-and-hundreds-more-across-upstate-ny—senator-calls-on-feds-to-get-involved-and-demands-kia-hyundai-to-give-upstate-communities-the-help-they-need-now

ChuckU, those vehicles weren’t all Kias or Hyundais, though, were they...?

You left that part out.

[mewzilla]

From Upstate NY today...

https://www.rochesterfirst.com/crime/rpd-13-year-old-boy-arrested-for-grand-larceny-after-kia-crash/

4th degree grand larceny.

That’s not a charge. It’s a joke. They threw in a few more rinky dink charges and released with an appearance ticket.