Hyundai and Kia must spend millions fixing cars linked to ‘Kia Boys’ thefts

• Hyundai And Come on are seeking a resolution that could cost them hundreds of millions of dollars, Minnesota’s attorney general announced as part of a settlement.
• Automakers are being forced to adapt anti-theft technology to existing models that became targets of widespread thefts following a 2021 TikTok trend.
• The settlement was reached by 35 states and covers approximately 9 million eligible vehicles, built as early as 2011 and most recently in 2022.

Hyundai and Kia are still feeling the effects of 2021’s viral TikTok trend, which led to a massive increase in stolen vehicles across the country. The two automakers continued to build cars without a key anti-theft device called an engine immobilizer for years after most other automakers made them standard, making them the perfect target for thieves. The automakers are now working to repair the vulnerable vehicles, Minnesota’s attorney general announced as part of a settlement reached by 35 states.

According to a report from the Associated pressHyundai and Kia will be forced to offer a free repair to all eligible vehicles, with the estimated cost potentially exceeding $500 million. According to the AP report, the automakers will install a zinc sleeve in the steering box, which will prevent potential thieves from accessing the ignition cylinder and starting the car.

In addition to the free repairs, automakers must pay up to $4.5 million in restitution to owners whose cars were damaged by thieves. The settlement also requires the automakers to use immobilizers in all future vehicles sold in the United States, although both Hyundai and Kia have previously said Car and driver that they made that change.

According to the AP report, about 9 million cars sold in the U.S. are eligible under the terms of the settlement. Some cars date back to 2011, while a smaller subset of models were built as late as 2022. Led by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, the settlement was reached by 35 states, including California, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.

“Resolving this multi-attorney general investigation represents another step forward in addressing thefts involving certain 2011-2022 Hyundai vehicles without immobilizers in a manner that supports and benefits our customers,” a Hyundai representative wrote in a statement to Car and driver. “As part of this commitment, Hyundai launched a nationwide rollout of free anti-theft software upgrades and zinc ignition cylinder protectors at dealerships.”

“Today’s agreement is the latest in a series of steps Kia has taken to support our customers affected by criminals using theft methods popularized on social media to steal or attempt to steal certain car models,” a Kia spokesperson said. Car and driver. “Kia has worked tirelessly to find new, creative and – most importantly – effective ways to make it more difficult for criminals to steal these vehicles, beyond existing theft protections.”

Both automakers pointed out that they have established funds to support and compensate eligible owners of affected vehicles.

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Jack Fitzgerald’s love for cars stems from his still unshakable addiction to Formula 1.
After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealer group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn’t afford, and decided to pursue a career in automotive writing. By chasing down his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel across Wisconsin in search of stories about the automotive world before landing his dream job at Car and driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf.