Two automotive brands are in trouble with TikTok

Inspired by car theft videos on social media platform TikTok in the United States (US), thieves caused car theft rates for Hyundai and Kia brands to skyrocket.

According to the Euronews story, 17 state prosecutors, taking action due to the rapidly increasing number, asked the South Korean brands to recall the vehicles and make necessary changes to prevent them from being stolen.

“The failure of Kia and Hyundai to install standard safety features on many of their vehicles has put vehicle owners and the public at risk,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a news release.

Following the announcement, a total of 17 state prosecutors sent letters to federal government agencies, requesting a nationwide recall. The letter was signed by the attorneys general for Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia.

“We do not consider it necessary to remember”

In Kia’s first statement on the matter, it said it was “focused” on the issue, saying: “We continue to take action to address concerns raised by attorneys general.” The automaker also said that more than 165,000 customers had the software installed and more than 2 million vehicle owners were contacted about it. The company also argued that the vehicles meet federal safety standards, so there is no need to recall them.

Hyundai, for its part, stressed that they are in contact with the necessary institutions and said that their vehicles “comply” with the federal anti-theft protocol. By stating that the software update was made available two months earlier than planned to prevent theft, the company left the question of how many vehicles have benefited from this update so far.

Why are Kia and Hyundai easy to steal?

Some Kia and Hyundai vehicles sold in the US over the past decade do not have engine immobilizers, which are standard on most cars and prevent the engine from starting unless the ignition key is present.

While videos circulating on TikTok show how people can easily operate these tools with just a screwdriver and a USB cable. The California Attorney General’s Office announced that thefts from Hyundai and Kia vehicles in Los Angeles increased by approximately 85 percent in 2022.

In addition, noting that there are high accident rates with these stolen vehicles, the Prosecutor’s Office affirmed that the trend of stolen cars is responsible for the last 14 accidents and eight reported deaths.