P&A Providers & Administrators
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Cities Sue Hyundai, Kia Over Thefts

They say carmakers haven’t done enough to mitigate lack of standard engine immobilizers in 2011 to 2022 models.

March 28, 2023
Cities Sue Hyundai, Kia Over Thefts

St. Louis, Cleveland, San Diego, Milwaukee, Seattle and Columbus, Ohio have taken legal action against the carmakers.

IMAGE: Pixabay/TheDigitalWay

2 min to read


A growing list of U.S. cities are suing Hyundai and Kia over thefts of some models because they say the carmakers haven’t done enough to help owners secure them.

The moves come after about two dozen attorneys general sent Hyundai and Kia a letter urging them to take more action on the matter. They said the carmakers were among the few that didn’t make antitheft technology known as engine immobilizers standard in their U.S.-sold 2011 to 2022 models.

Ad Loading...

Now multiple large cities have taken that a step further by suing the brands over the issue. St. Louis, Cleveland, San Diego, Milwaukee, Seattle and Columbus, Ohio have all taken legal action.

Parties seeking more from Hyundai and Kia to help owners of the unprotected models say theft of the vehicles has increased dramatically in the past several years. They point to how-to videos posted on social media by thieves instructing others on how to steal the models.

Hyundai and Kia have said they’ve offered owners of the models in question a software upgrade to extend the length of alarms and to require a key be in the ignition in order to start the vehicles. They’ve also sent steering wheel locks to law enforcement agencies to distribute to vehicle owners. The coalition of attorneys general said the measures don’t go far enough and have asked the carmakers to accelerate the software updates and to provide free alternative protections for models that can’t support it.

“Big corporations like Kia and Hyundai must be held accountable for endangering our residents and putting profit over people,” said St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones in a statement on that city’s lawsuit. “St. Louisans should not be forced to bear the cost of their negligence.”

LEARN MORE: AGs Urge Hyundai Kia to Do More About Car Thefts

Originally posted on Auto Dealer Today

More Industry

Two men and one woman standing in front of blue walled Chevrolet dealership entrance.
Industry•by Hannah Mitchell•October 27, 2026

Badger State Dealership Gets New Owner

The longtime southern Wisconsin store moved from one area auto group to another, keeping the business in Dairyland.

Read More →
Two hands, one handing off set of keys to the other.
Industry•by Lauren Lawrence•October 27, 2026

The Cycle of Negative Equity

Third-quarter data shows consumers still rolling over debt and stretching loan terms, raising their risk of remaining underwater.

Read More →
Orange electric vehicle charging station.
Industry•by Lauren Lawrence•October 20, 2026

Charger Network Growth Slows

Despite a projected increase in public EV chargers in 2026, charging infrastructure remains a top concern for consumers as the gap between the most and least EV-friendly places remains substantial.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Fan of $100 bills atop a white envelope
Industry•by Hannah Mitchell•October 13, 2026

Lenders, Consumers Take on More Auto Loan Risk

September records loosened credit access the most in over a decade as buyers took advantage of the conditions to afford trading, though loan applications fell.

Read More →
Red type R Honda civic parked on road.
Industry•by Lauren Lawrence•October 13, 2026

Next-Gen Hybrids in Sight

Dealerships can expect to see revamped hybrids from Honda next year as the company rolls out a new system and model lineup.

Read More →
Dodge ram emblem on orange vehicle exterior
Industry•by Hannah Mitchell•October 6, 2026

Gem State Stores Change Hands

A larger auto group founded in the industry’s early years sold two franchises to a neighbor group that's on a growth spurt.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Graphic of model car driving on fake road.
Industry•by Lauren Lawrence•October 6, 2026

Charging In Motion

Honda has been researching wireless in-motion charging for electric vehicles since 2025, and new technology developments have put it a step closer to a final product.

Read More →
front grill of a Ford truck with blue Ford emblem
Industry•by Lauren Lawrence•September 30, 2026

Twin Cities Stores Sell

Minnesota-based Walser Automotive Group made what it called the most significant acquisition in its history with a three-rooftop deal in Minneapolis.

Read More →
Diesel engine on a production line in a factory
Industry•by Hannah Mitchell•September 29, 2026

U.S. Auto Sales Still Below Prepandemic Levels

Mobility Global industry observers don’t expect the market to return to the higher volumes that became routine before Covid but to stay well below its potential.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Front of red tesla car.
Industry•by Lauren Lawrence•September 22, 2026

The Powertrain Shift

Electric-vehicle owners are backpedaling, according to new data, with product availability driving many to shift back to gas-powered engines.

Read More →