Chicago sues Hyundai, Kia over rising car thefts

author: FutureCar Staff    

The City of Chicago has filed a lawsuit against Kia and Hyundai, joining other jurisdictions in alleging that the car manufacturers' vehicles are highly susceptible to theft. The lawsuit comes after a 2021 social media challenge on TikTok showcased how to steal the cars in under 30 seconds.

In its complaint, the City of Chicago claims that Kia and Hyundai violated consumer protection laws, acted negligently, and created a public nuisance. The city aims to recover the costs incurred in responding to the thefts and provide restitution to affected residents.

Mayor Brandon Johnson expressed concern over the impact of car theft on Chicago residents, particularly those with limited transportation options and financial resources. He criticized Kia and Hyundai for failing to install basic auto-theft prevention technology in their models, calling it sheer negligence.

Following the exposure of the vehicles' vulnerabilities in the TikTok videos, car thefts in Chicago surged. The number of stolen Kia and Hyundai vehicles increased from around 500 in the first half of 2022 to 8,350 in the second half of the year. These models now account for over half of all vehicle thefts in the city.

The City of Chicago argues that it is bearing the financial burden caused by the defendants' unlawful conduct. The city has had to cover property damage expenses, redirect law enforcement resources, and prioritize public safety due to the thefts that could have been prevented.

In addition to the lawsuit, there have been calls for a class-action lawsuit against Kia and Hyundai in response to the thefts. The National Insurance Crime Bureau has also urged social media platforms to remove videos demonstrating how to steal these cars, as they enable criminals and harm consumers.

Seventeen state attorneys general previously sent a letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, urging the agency to recall Kia and Hyundai vehicles prone to theft. The attorneys general emphasized that these thefts have led to an increase in dangerous driving incidents, including reckless driving, speeding, stunts, and numerous crashes resulting in deaths and injuries, with minors being among the victims.

A recent settlement requires Kia and Hyundai to install anti-theft software updates. For vehicles that cannot accommodate the software update, the companies will provide up to $300 for the purchase of various anti-theft devices. However, the settlement, reached in May 2023, is still pending finalization by a court.

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FutureCar Staff