Eighteen states including California asked NHTSA for a recall on Hyundai and Kia vehicles because they lack engine immobilizers or push-button ignitions. This makes the vehicles attractive targets for theft.
By contrast, most vehicles include the above safety equipment. As a result, Hyundai and Kia models represent a large share of cars stolen in certain US cities. Theft claims for these vehicles are almost twice as common as for all other car makes from 2015 through 2019 model years, said Automotive News referencing data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta said the failure of the car makers to include these safety features has “put vehicle owners and the public at risk,” said Automotive News.
However, back in February, Hyundai and Kia said they would offer software upgrades to 8.3 million vehicles to help stop theft.
See more at Automotive News (subscription may be required).
Photo: Kia Forte via Kelley Blue Book
YES! I agree. Good ole Cali trying to pump their chest…smh
Cars have been made for years without them. Who is California to dictate what features are required. If someone is afraid of theft, buy a car alarm.
And who is Canada to dictate that every vehicle must be equipped with an immo? Say what you want, but this isn’t an issue in Canada because every one sold there is immo equipped. The tech is/was there, they just opted to skip it on USDM cars to save a couple bucks.
Not saying there should be a recall, but I bet Canada feels pretty smug about that right now.