Hyundai and Kia will repair millions of vehicles under a deal to fix anti-theft technology

By JACK DURA Associated Press Automakers Hyundai and Kia must offer free repairs to millions of models under a settlement informed Tuesday by Minnesota s attorney general who led an effort by dozens of states that argued the vehicles weren t equipped with proper anti-theft device leaving them vulnerable to thefts Under the nationwide settlement the companies will offer a free repair to all eligible vehicles at a cost that could top million Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison disclosed Hyundai and Kia must also outfit all future vehicles sold in the U S with a key piece of instrument called an engine immobilizer and pay up to million of restitution to people whose vehicles were damaged by thieves The settlement was reached by states including California New Jersey New York and Pennsylvania The vehicles eligible for fixes date as far back as and as in recent days as About million eligible vehicles were sold nationwide FILE The Hyundai company logo is displayed Sept in Littleton Colo AP Photo David Zalubowski File Thefts of Hyundai and Kia vehicles soared in part because beginning in videos posted to TikTok and other social media demonstrated how someone could steal a car with just a screwdriver and a USB cable Minneapolis broadcasted an increase in Hyundai and Kia thefts from to Ellison stated an scrutiny into the automakers in early Ellison commented the two companies installed engine immobilizers on cars sold in Mexico and Canada but not widely in the U S leading to car thefts crimes and crashes that injured and even killed people including teenagers This situation that we re talking about in contemporary times started in a boardroom traveled through the Internet and ended up in tragic results when somebody stole those cars Ellison declared at a news conference Related Articles women targeted by serial rapist sue Hinge Tinder US Capitol statue of teen civil rights leader Barbara Rose Johns to fill Robert E Lee s place Wall Street loses ground following mixed figures on the market Killings of Rob Reiner and his wife stun Hollywood as son skips court appearance for medicinal reasons US employers added jobs in November but lost in October the authorities mentioned in delayed reports He was joined by Twin Cities personnel a woman whose mother was killed when a stolen Kia crashed into her parents bicycle and a man whose car was stolen nine times as of late as Monday night and including seven times after a previous program fix Under the settlement Hyundai and Kia will install a zinc sleeve to stop would-be thieves from cracking open a wagon s ignition cylinder and starting the car Eligible customers will have one year from the date of the companies notice to get the repair at an authorized dealership The repairs are expected to be available from early through early In a message Kia mentioned the agreement is the latest step it has taken to help its customers and prevent thefts Kia is eager to continue working with law enforcement officers and executives 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 bus shield the company mentioned The Associated Press emailed Hyundai for comment Dura communicated from Bismarck North Dakota