City officials in St. Louis are threatening Kia and Hyundai with a lawsuit, claiming the companies are not doing enough to prevent their vehicles from getting stolen.
Across the country, car thieves are using USB cords to start and steal cars made by Kia and Hyundai. The vehicles from Hyundai were made between 2015 and 2021, while the vehicles from Kia were made between 2011 and 2021, KSDK reported.
The cars do not have push-button starts, so thieves use the USB as a key.
St. Louis Poice Capt. Janice Bockstruck said thefts of Kia and Hyundai automobiles are up by 400% compared to last year, KSDK reported.
The cars do not have an immobilizing device, which requires a chip that is embedded in a key to start the vehicle. The automakers have said the technology will be available on all newer models, KSDK reported.
But that vow is not stopping St. Louis officials from threatening a lawsuit if the companies do not do something now.
Hyundai and Kia have 30 days from the date of the letter, which was Aug. 19, to “make satisfactory progress to mitigate the public nuisance (they’ve) created,” KPLR reported.
Kia and Hyundai are standing by their vehicles, saying that they “meet or exceed federal motor vehicle safety standards,” Inside Edition reported.
If a Kia owner has questions, they’re being told to contact the company at 800-333-4542, according to Inside Edition. Hyundai owners should call 800-633-5151.
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