Trevor Campbell of FOX 11 says his car was stolen in Los Angeles.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Owners of Kia and Hyundai are expected to receive notices next week about their claim over a $145 million settlement.
The settlement is the result of a lawsuit that made their cars more susceptible to theft.
A TikTok trend sparked what has become a huge surge in Kia and Hyundai thefts across the country. The trend is for teens or young adults to borrow vehicles seamlessly, with nothing more than a USB phone charger.
“We’ve noticed that Kia and Hyundai are powered by Kia and Hyundai keys,” said Sgt. Jerry Montenegro. “I only saw one space key. “
According to the sergeant. In Montenegro, they detected a dramatic increase in Kia and Hyundai flights.
“From 2021 to 2022, the number of burglaries in Kia and Hyundai buildings increased by nearly 175 percent,” Montenegro said. “From 2021 to 2023, that’s an increase of about two hundred percent. When we bring back those Kia and Hyundai, they’re missing their catalytic converters. “
Trevor Campbell, a colleague at FOX 11, recently had his 2013 Kia Rio stolen outside his home in Los Angeles.
“It’s hard because I don’t need to be in the news, but I feel like it’s not fair to consumers,” Campbell said.
Campbell won a letter from Kia last May stating that his car was eligible for an anti-theft software update. However, when Campbell took his vehicle to a Kia dealership in downtown Los Angeles, they claimed the upgrade didn’t apply to his car.
“Deep down, I knew my car was going to be stolen,” Campbell said.
Last week, Campbell’s Kia Rio was effectively stolen. Authorities located him the next day east of downtown.
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The car had damaged windows, had a key, and was missing the catalytic converter.
“The catalytic converter was removed, the rear windows were shattered and the ignition was completely destroyed,” Campbell said. “I can’t be the only user with this problem. “
A Kia spokesperson says they are investigating Campbell’s express case. In addition, they have provided the following.
“Kia is committed to collaborating with law enforcement across the country as part of our efforts to save criminals from theft strategies popularized on social media to break the law and borrow or attempt to borrow certain vehicle models.
It is essential to note that all Kia models manufactured since the end of 2021 are supplied with engine ignition interlock devices. For cars manufactured prior to this date, we continue to strongly inspire eligible consumers to get the software update we developed and implemented last year, i. e. , designed to limit the operation of the vehicle’s ignition formula in the event of a potential criminal attempt to borrow a locked vehicle without the key. To date, more than 1. 03 million Kia cars nationwide have earned the upgrade and we continue to spread the word about its availability by creating an online page committed to detailed information, hosting off-site events in cities (including Minneapolis) to make it less difficult for eligible consumers to get the update, and, in partnership with Carfax, notify owners that their vehicle is eligible for the upgrade.
We’ve also evolved and introduced a new hardware amendment designed for cars eligible for the software update that combats theft by reinforcing the ignition cylinder frame and preventing its removal through the theft approach promoted in videos broadcast everywhere. Social media encourages criminal activity. Owners of these express vehicles were contacted in December 2023 with Ice Ahead to schedule an appointment at their local dealership for this free upgrade.
We continue to supply loose guide wheel locks to affected vehicle owners who are not eligible for the software update. These loose idler locks increase vehicle safety and can serve as a deterrent to would-be car thieves. Kia consumers can obtain loose locks supplied through Kia from local authorities or can request a guide wheel lock from Kia directly through a compromised website. To date, we have distributed more than 325,000 locks and will continue to provide them as needed.
As noted above, the municipalities’ claims against Kia are without merit and should be dismissed. Like all Kia vehicles, the express models in question in this case are subject to and fully comply with the requirements defined in the applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. with the addition of FMVSS 114 that regulates theft coverage measures.
In addition, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has publicly stated that it has not decided at this time that this factor is a protective defect or non-compliance requiring a recall under the National Traffic Safety and Motor Vehicle Act. Act.
Kia will continue to collaborate with authorities and local governments across the country to fight car theft and the role social media has played in encouraging it, and we remain fully committed to supporting our customers. “