Class action lawsuit filed against Kia, Hyundai for virus theft

(KTLA) – Last month, the Los Angeles Police Department alerted the community to a viral TikTok challenge. Facilitating theft of Kia and Hyundai cars.

Kia or Hyundai are responsible for one-fifth of vehicle thefts this year, according to police, and authorities attributed that in part to the lack of an “immobilizer,” an anti-theft device not found in Keystart’s Kias and Hyundai. I believe there is. manufactured between 2011 and 2021.

With no immobilizer, you can steal a car with just a USB cable and a screwdriver.

On Wednesday, Orange County attorney Jonathan Michaels filed a class action lawsuit against Kia America and Hyundai Motor America. Kia’s parent company is Hyundai..

The lawsuit alleges that the companies’ decision to rely on outdated technology led to an increase in theft and loss of value in the resale market.

“It looks like one of those old-fashioned keys from the 1960s, and it’s a real key. It’s the only manufacturer we know that makes a car without an engine immobilizer,” he said. Michaels said.

Michaels estimates that there are 10 million vehicles without immobilizers, and each vehicle costs about $500 to repair.

“It’s about a $5 billion recall,” he said.

Kia and Hyundai declined to comment on pending lawsuits but said they were cooperating with police on the matter.

The Kia and Hyundai car theft trend is being felt nationwide.

Earlier this year, Indiana’s Alyssa Smart told Nextar’s WXIN: I believe it’s because of the TikTok challenge for the attempted theft of her Kia.

In Norfolk, Virginia, police confirmed a 35% increase in thefts of Kia and Hyundai cars in the first half of July alone. Wavy report.And police of other municipalities, etc. Beloit, Wisconsin, When Kentwood, Michigan, We are urging Kia and Hyundai owners to take extra precautions.

Thieves are exploiting immobilizer flaws, and some are posting their illegal activities online. Eric Brunner, of the Kent County Sheriff’s Department in Michigan, told Nextar: woodRick Ricart of Ricart Automotive in Ohio said: WCMH Over 30 Kia and Hyundai cars were towed into his shop for repairs in a week in June, all with damaged steering columns.

Indiana intrusion victim Smart also told WXIN that he doesn’t believe TikTok should allow the type of content that could lead to further intrusions.

“This trend absolutely disgusts me,” she said. It cannot be done.”