[volkman10]

Thefts of certain Hyundai and Kia models have surged throughout the United States and social media is thought to be one of the reasons why.

Numerous videos shared on TikTok and YouTube have surfaced in recent months that show how to easily steal select Hyundai and Kia vehicles that do not have engine immobilizers. In St. Paul, Minnesota, police have reported a more than 1,300 percent increase in Kia thefts from last year and a 584 percent increase in stolen Hyundais. It has investigated 256 Kia thefts this year compared to 18 thefts in 2021 and 212 Hyundai thefts compared to 31 thefts last year.

It is a similar story in other areas. In Grand Rapids, Michigan, Hyundai and Kia models made up around 45 percent of the city’s auto thefts in June. There has also been a 254 percent increase in Kia thefts and a 222 percent increase in Hyundai thefts in St. Louis this year. Spikes in thefts have also been reported in Memphis, Cincinnati, and Columbus

A number of government officials say select Hyundai and Kia models are being targeted as they do not have engine immobilizers.

In written statements, both Hyundai and Kia said they are aware of the increase in thefts and noted that all current 2022 models are fitted with engine immobilizers.

Source:

[volkman10]

Hyundai and Kia are being sued for causing a “Public Safety Crisis” after massive surge in thefts.

It’s no secret that a wave of Kia and Hyundai thefts have overtaken many parts of the nation following a reckless challenge on TikTok and other social media platforms that exploits a design flaw certain vehicles from the Korean carmakers.

Now, after a number of civil lawsuits against the two Korean automakers, it appears that the city of St. Louis is close to filing one of its own. Throughout the year, auto thefts in St. Louis have doubled, with the city reporting an average of 21 Kia and Hyundai thefts a day in June, with the number rising to 23 a day in August, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

St. Louis isn’t alone, as cities across the nation including Memphis, Cincinnati, Columbus, and Grand Rapids have all made public statements about spikes in Kia and Hyundai thefts. Milwaukee even called the automakers out and said that they were “directly responsible” for the increase in thefts.

A recent letter sent to the Korean companies from St. Louis City Counselor Sheena Hamilton laid the blame squarely on the automakers.

Link

[volkman10]

How vulnerable are certain Kia's and Hyundai's models to be stolen?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...nel=DonutMedia