A New TikTok trend showing people how to easily steal Kia and Hyundai vehicles has sparked a class-action lawsuit against the car companies.
Ann Brady of Polk County and Leah Price of Decatur County in Iowa are suing Kia America, Inc., Hyundai Motor America, and Hyundai Kia America Technical Center. The women claim that the companies made vehicles that were easy to steal and overpriced. The complaint states that although car manufacturers know their cars are easy for burglars to steal, they refuse to implement additional safety features.
In recent weeks, an influx of videos has hit TikTok and YouTube, showing people how to easily steal any Kia made from 2011 to 2021 using only a USB cord. The same trend focuses on Hyundai’s made from 2015 to 2021. One victim, Brad Crihfield of Lakewood, California, says his 2012 Hyundai Tucson was taken from his driveway within 30 seconds by a thief using the method.
Known as the “Kia Challenge,” a group of thieves refer to themselves as the “Kia Boyz” and challenge others to take vehicles using USB cords. They also encourage others to record the theft and share it. In Omaha, Nebraska alone, there have been 230 Hyundais or Kia’s stolen this year, a sharp increase from the 131 stolen during the same time period in 2021.
Kia America and Hyundai Motor America have admitted they’re concerned about the thefts. However, they claim that all 2022 models of their cars have engine immobilizers to prevent future thefts.
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