"It's the Criminal's Fault" US Authorities Deny Hyundai-Kia Recall

'Does Not Meet Recall Criteria' Conclusion
"Criminal Acts Not Considered in Recall Criteria"
Earlier, Some States Demand Recall Citing Theft Occurrences

Although the attorneys general of 18 U.S. states demanded a recall due to inadequate theft prevention and response in Hyundai and Kia vehicles, U.S. transportation authorities did not accept the request.

Scene of a Kia vehicle theft and getaway.
[Photo source=YouTube capture]

According to a response from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) obtained by NBC News on the 27th (local time), the agency determined that the vehicle theft-related issue does not meet the nationwide recall criteria.

Sem Hatipoglu, Acting Executive Director of NHTSA, stated in a letter sent to California Attorney General Rob Bonta and others, "NHTSA has concluded that this issue does not constitute a safety defect or regulatory violation that requires a recall."

He cited, among other reasons, that federal safety standards currently do not require the installation of engine immobilizers (anti-theft devices).

He further clarified that the criteria for NHTSA recalls "do not consider acts such as criminals breaking the steering column and removing the ignition lock to start the vehicle."

Earlier, in April, the attorneys general of 18 U.S. states, including California, sent a letter to NHTSA requesting a nationwide recall, citing vulnerabilities in the theft prevention features of Hyundai and Kia vehicles.

The attorneys general argued that Hyundai and Kia installed engine immobilizers on the same models sold in Europe and Canada but not in the U.S., stating that "the failure to install standard safety devices threatens vehicle owners and public safety."

Warning from the Los Angeles Police Department regarding theft crimes involving Hyundai and Kia vehicles. [Image source=LAPD official Twitter]

Meanwhile, since last year, a crime trend targeting Hyundai and Kia vehicles without engine immobilizers has spread across the U.S. This trend, mainly propagated on TikTok, has been dubbed the "Hyundai-Kia Challenge."

This "crime game" exploits the absence of anti-theft ignition control devices in certain older Hyundai and Kia vehicle models.

As a result, in Chicago, Illinois, over 7,000 Hyundai and Kia vehicle thefts occurred last year, and in Minneapolis, Minnesota, vehicle theft incidents were linked to 5 homicides and 265 car accidents. In New York State, six teenagers involved in the challenge caused a collision with stolen vehicles, resulting in 4 deaths and 2 injuries.

Subsequently, Hyundai and Kia's U.S. subsidiaries implemented countermeasures such as upgrading software for the affected vehicles and distributing steering wheel locks. On the 19th of last month, they announced a settlement of related class-action lawsuits.

The company pledged cash compensation to consumers who suffered theft-related damages not covered by insurance, with the total amount estimated to reach approximately $200 million (about 270 billion KRW).

"If you gain weight from eating cake, is it the bakery's fault?" Local media also criticize the recall

Hyundai Motor Group Yangjae Headquarters Building

Local media criticism that filing lawsuits against Hyundai and Kia is inappropriate has also emerged.

Bernard Goldberg, a former CBS reporter, wrote in an article for the congressional media outlet The Hill, "Would you blame the company that made the sweet and delicious cake if you gain weight?"

He questioned, "Would you sue a pharmacy chain for displaying items on shelves accessible to looters?" and asked, "Is looting the fault of the looters, or the fault of the pharmacy operators who made it too easy to loot?"

He also pointed out that, citing examples like cake, according to the logic of some cities suing Hyundai and others, one could argue that if snacks were not tasty, the obesity problem in the U.S. would not exist.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.