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Seattle sues Hyundai and Kia over rising car thefts

The city attorney alleges that manufacturers chose not to install anti-theft systems in their models to cut costs. TikTok's popular 'Kia challenge' caused thefts to rise.

Kia y Hyundai

Voz Media / Wikimedia Commons

Published by
Alejandro Baños

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Seattle City Attorney Ann Davison filed a complaint in federal court against Kia and Hyundai for failing to install anti-theft systems in their cars. This lawsuit comes after an exponential increase in thefts in the models of these two South Korean manufacturers.

Davison, a Republican, attributed the increase to spending cuts that Hyundai and Kia implemented:

Kia and Hyundai chose to cut corners and cut costs at the expense of their customers and the public. As a result, our police force has had to tackle a huge rise in vehicle theft and related problems with already stretched resources. Now Seattle taxpayers must shoulder the burden of the increase in theft.

In her lawsuit, the Emerald City prosecutor noted that thefts of Kia and Hyundai cars increased by 363% and 503% respectively. Davison said that these thefts are occurring mostly in the Northgate, Capitol Hill, Central District, and Beacon Hill neighborhoods, Davison said.

An "improper and unnecessary" lawsuit

In response to the complaint, Ira Gabriel, director of Corporate Public Relations and Marketing for Hyundai Motor America, called the lawsuit "improper and unnecessary" in an email sent to The Center Square website.

Gabriel contradicted Davison and explained the anti-theft systems that are installed in each car such as the engine immobilization system. He further added:

Hyundai is also providing free steering wheel locks, as available, to select law enforcement agencies across the country, including in the Seattle area, for distribution to local residents who own or lease affected models. Owners may also bring their vehicles to a local Hyundai dealer for the purchase and installation of a customized security kit. We apologize for the inconvenience to affected customers.

Kia challenge' led to robberies and deaths

The thefts of these models increased after the Kia challenge, a TikTok challenge in which users, mostly teenagers, start the engine of a Kia or Hyundai using a USB or cell phone charger.

This challenge resulted in the deaths of four people between the ages of 14 and 19 in October in Buffalo, New York. After stealing a car, they were involved in a traffic accident and died on the spot.

Aside from Seattle, thefts of Kia and Hyundai cars shot up nearly 800% in Chicago in September. It was an effect of the TikTok challenge.

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