Automakers Settle Theft-Related Claims
Two major automotive manufacturers have reached a multimillion-dollar agreement following allegations that certain models were susceptible to theft due to insufficient security features.
The settlement, valued at $9 million, resolves claims brought by attorneys general from 35 states, including California. Officials argued that the vehicles did not include standard anti-theft measures expected in the industry.
Owners whose vehicles were completely stolen and totaled may receive up to $4,500 in compensation. Those with significant damage can get half that amount, while individuals who experienced break-in attempts without theft are eligible for $375.
Additionally, the companies will provide a complimentary retrofit service to install a metal sleeve around the ignition system, enhancing security.
Mechanic's Perspective
AJ Rivie, a Visalia mechanic and Kia owner, commented on the situation. "And you know, it does come back to locking it, but at the end of the day, you got to understand, and they need to understand, that it's more than just a car," he said.
While his own vehicle has remained secure, Rivie noted multiple recalls and recalled the viral social media trend involving groups like "Kia Boys."
Local Impact and Theft Methods
In Visalia alone, authorities arrested 22 teenagers in 2023 for stealing Hyundai and Kia vehicles. Last year, these brands were among the most frequently stolen due to a vulnerability exploited by thieves using simple tools like a screwdriver and USB cable, a method that gained popularity on TikTok.
One Tulare County resident, who preferred to remain anonymous, shared a close call. "It was probably right between midnight and one. I heard the neighbor's dog making more of a ruckus than he normally does, so it just kind of maybe got my attention and got up, went out to the window and looked out and saw somebody by my car messing with the door handle, went to the front door, opened it..." he recounted.
Fortunately, he scared off the potential thief, but the incident left a lasting impression. Reflecting on his luck, he added, "Many people didn't have that kind of luck... A lot of them got their car stolen and it was wrecked or totaled... When something like that happens to you, it's just not the same to you anymore."
Company Response and Security Measures
Kia issued a statement regarding the agreement: "Today's agreement is the latest in a series of steps that Kia has taken to support our customers who have been impacted by criminals using methods of theft popularized on social media to steal or attempt to steal certain vehicle models. Kia has worked tirelessly to find new, creative, and - most importantly - effective ways to make these vehicles more difficult for criminals to steal beyond their already existing theft protections. These include the development and introduction of a free software security upgrade that has been found to significantly reduce theft rates, the distribution of hundreds of thousands of steering wheel locks to our customers at no cost, and the rollout of a zinc-sleeve hardware modification that combats this social media-inspired theft method by reinforcing the ignition cylinder body and preventing its removal through the technique that was made popular online. The company has also established settlement funds providing direct support and compensation to eligible owners of impacted vehicles. Kia is eager to continue working with law enforcement officers and officials at federal, state, and local levels to combat criminal car theft, and the role social media has played in encouraging it, and we remain fully committed to upholding vehicle security."
Mechanics advise vehicle owners to lock doors and avoid leaving valuables inside. They also recommend contacting local professionals for information on any recalls.
