⚖️ NYC Sues Hyundai & Kia Over Car Thefts
NYC is suing Hyundai & Kia over increased thefts due to lack of standard anti-theft tech. Social media "challenges" may have also caused spike. NYPD reported 600%+ increase in Hyundai & Kia thefts
NYC joins other cities in suing Hyundai and Kia related to an increase in vehicle thefts
City alleges auto manufacturers failed to install anti-theft devices called immobilizers on most of their cars
Viral social media “challenges” may also contributed to increased thefts
NYPD has reported 600%+ increase in stolen Hyundais & Kia this year
New York City, joining other cities across the country, is suing Hyundai and Kia related to creating a public nuisance by selling vehicles that are too easy to steal 👀. Hyundai and Kia models are widely used in the NYC for-hire transportation industry.
The City’s complaint (City of New York v Hyundai Motor America et al, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 23-04772) filed in Manhattan federal court, alleges the auto manufacturers failed, from 2011 to 2022, to install immobilizers, a common anti-theft device, on most of their vehicles.
The City claims this failure “opened the floodgates to vehicle theft, crime sprees, reckless driving, and public harm”.
NYPD Stats
~287 Kias were reported stolen in 2022 vs. 119 in 2021
~415 Hyundais were reported stolen in 2022 vs. 232 in 2021
An estimated 977 Hyundai and Kia vehicles reported stolen in the first four months of this year vs. only 148 such thefts in the same months last year
TikTok Challenge
It’s also noteworthy that thefts of Hyundais and Kias significantly increased in the last four months of 2022 after viral TikTok / social media videos showed how to steal cars that don’t have immobilizers and push-button ignitions.
Earlier this year, it was reported that auto insurers State Farm and Progressive were declining coverage on certain Hyundai and Kia models. Some articles noted the “Kia Boys” social media trend was being blamed for a rise in thefts.
Have A Hyundai or Kia?
Both Hyundai & Kia have reached a $200 million+ class action settlement with consumers a few weeks ago. As part of the settlement, the auto manufacturers said they would make it easier to get the anti-theft software installed. People whose cars can’t get a software upgrade will instead receive up to $300 to pay for anti-theft devices, the companies said.
WE ADVISE ANY NYC TLC DRIVER, OR DRIVER IN GENERAL, WHO HAS A HYUNDAI OR KIA TO CALL OR VISIT A LOCAL DEALERSHIP.
Local NYC Area Hyundai dealerships:
Koeppel Hyundai, 34-54 44th St, London Island City, NY 11101, (929) 590-1998
Hyundai City Of Bay Ridge, 9013 4th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11209, (929) 201-4225
Plaza Hyundai, 2726 Nostrand Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11210, (347) 417-5420
Empire Hyundai of Jamaica, 175-62 Hillside Ave, Jamaica, NY 11432, (929) 244-2100
Island Hyundai, 1590 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10305, (347) 934-4888
Hudson Hyundai, 977 Communipaw Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07304, (201) 616-7140
Local NYC Area Kia dealerships:
Northstar Kia, 46-05 Northern Blvd, Long Island City, NY 11101, (718) 683-5300
Bronx Kia, 3505 Conner Street, Bronx, NY 10475, (718) 777-0800
Plaza Kia, 2746 Nostrand Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11210, (718) 253-8400
John Starks Kia, 139-03 Queens Blvd, Jamaica, NY 11435, (718) 425-4455
Jersey City Kia, 36 Water Street, Jersey City, NJ 07305, (201) 537-5927
As always, let us know your thoughts in the comments section below or by emailing us at info@automarketplace.com.
AutoMarketplace NYC covers the for-hire transportation industry and automotive news. Check out AutoMarketplace on YouTube ▶️
Great article!