MINNEAPOLIS — Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter and Attorney General Keith Ellison are urging the North American CEOs of Hyundai and Kia to recall certain models after a major spike in reported vehicle thefts across the metro.
Frey, Carter and Ellison collaborated on a letter claiming that certain models are lacking standard anti-theft technology, which led to an 893% increase in thefts in Minneapolis and a 611% uptick in St. Paul over the past year.
"This is an entirely preventable crime that starts with ensuring all Kia and Hyundai vehicles missing engine immobilizers are equipped with the industry-standard anti-theft technology," the letter reads in part.
Records indicate there were nearly 3,300 Kia and Hyundai thefts across the Twin Cities in 2022, including 265 that were involved in crashes. The letter also goes on to say these thefts were also connected to a plethora of violent crimes, including five homicides, 13 shootings and 36 robberies.
"We run a law enforcement department, a police department, that is tasked with dealing with all these horrible interactions after they take place," said Mayor Jacob Frey. "We don't need to just enforce the law after a horrible incident takes place, we can also be acting ahead of time to prevent."
Both Kia and Hyundai recently rolled out system updates to improve their security, but the political leaders say it's not enough.
"The recently announced software upgrades Kia and Hyundai owners can access is a step in the right direction, however, there needs to be a more robust and timely improvement plan for all vehicles," the letter reads. "We urge you to immediately recall all Kia and Hyundai vehicles that require the necessary industry-standard anti-theft technology and to equip all new vehicles with the same safety updates."
A growing number of thefts nationally indicate Kia and Hyundai vehicles are particularly vulnerable to theft due to their lack of anti-theft technology and push-to-start key systems. Video challenges on several social media platforms have contributed to the problem, showing the ease of hacking and stealing these cars.
In a statement, Hyundai's spokesperson wrote, "Hyundai is committed to the security of our customers and plans to continue our ongoing support of the communities affected by this theft issue. We appreciate and share Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison’s interest in addressing the rise in thefts of these vehicles in Minnesota and elsewhere. We recently announced the launch of a free software upgrade to prevent the theft mode popularized on social media; we will also soon launch a program to reimburse eligible customers for their purchase of steering wheel locks."
Here is its press release with more detail on its ongoing efforts to address this issue, including how to find information on its free anti-theft software and when it's available to car owners, along with free steering wheel locks.
While a spokesperson for Kia wrote this, "Kia remains very focused on this issue and we continue to take action to address the concerns that Mayor Frey, Mayor Carter, and Attorney General Ellison have raised. We are committed to working with them and law enforcement agencies at the state and local level in Minnesota to combat car theft and the role social media has played in encouraging it. Kia is already in the process of rolling out a free, enhanced security software upgrade to restrict the unauthorized operation of vehicle ignition systems and we are also providing steering wheel locks for impacted owners at no cost through local law enforcement agencies. To date, Kia has already contacted over 1 million owners and lessees of Kia vehicles to let them know of the availability of the software upgrade and to advise them to schedule a free installation at any Kia dealer. We have also shipped or are in the process of shipping over 21,000 free steering wheel locks to over 100 law enforcement agencies across the country, including nearly 300 to police departments in the Minneapolis/St. Paul region, and we will continue to provide supplies of those locks as they are needed. Because there is no defect in the security features in any of these vehicles and because all Kia vehicles, including these models, comply fully with all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, a recall is neither appropriate nor necessary under federal law. Kia owners should contact our Customer Care team directly at 1-800-333-4542 (4Kia) or online via the Owners Portal on kia.com for more information on their eligibility for the upgrade or to learn more about obtaining a steering wheel lock."