Officials are urging Kia and Hyundai to recall millions of their vehicles amid a surge in carjackings targeting specific models made between 2011 and 2022.
California Attorney General, Rob Bonta, sent a letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on Friday to urge the federal recall in response to the increase in crime fueled by a social media challenge. California leads 17 states and the District of Columbia.
Cars manufactured between 2011 and 2022 do not have an engine immobilization function, preventing the cars from starting without a key in the ignition port. Cars produced after 2022 and from other manufacturers have this feature preventing many carjackings.
The majority of these instances occur in Democrat-led cities battling pre-existing issues with crime. “In Los Angeles, for instance, thefts of Hyundai and Kia cars increased by approximately 85% in 2022 and constituted approximately 20% of stolen cars in Los Angeles in 2022, up from 13% in 2021,” according to the California Attorney General. In Prince George’s County, Maryland, the police gave away “500 steering wheel locking devices to Kia owners whose cars are at risk,” according to NBC 4 Washington. (RELATED: Ford Raises Electric Truck Price By Up To $8,500 After Democrats Pass $7,500 EV Tax Credit)
Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia join California in their efforts. In addition to states showing support as signatories of the letter, city officials in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Columbus, Ohio, San Diego, California, Seattle, Washington and St. Louis, Missouri have all filed lawsuits against the South Korea and Japan based auto manufacturers, according to NBC 5 St. Louis.
A Kia logo is seen on a vehicle during the New York International Auto Show, in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., April 5, 2023. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly
“We continue to take action to address the concerns these attorneys general have raised,” a Kia spokesperson said according to CBS News.
Hyundai and Kia owners can go to their websites and enter their respective vin numbers to determine if they are eligible for the recall.
Hyundai and Kia did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller’s request for comment.