(CNN) On Thursday, a coalition of attorneys general from 17 states and the District of Columbia called for a federal recall of Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors.
The federal attorney general said the recall was sought “because businesses continue to fail to take adequate steps to address the alarming rate of auto thefts,” said the California attorney general who led the coalition. said the release from Rob Bonta.
In a letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the coalition called for a recall of “dangerous” Hyundai and Kia cars manufactured between 2011 and 2022.
The vehicle in question, Hyundai and Kia models from 2015 to 2019 (Hyundai Santa Fe and Tucson, Kia Forte and Sportage, etc.) is equipped with turnkey ignition, as opposed to cars that can be started at the push of a button. doing. — Almost twice as likely to be stolen as other vehicles of a similar age. According to the Highway Loss Data Institute, an industry group that tracks insurance statistics, many of these vehicles lack some of the basic anti-theft technology included in most other vehicles. I’m here.
NHTSA responded that this was not something they could request a recall for.
“This particular issue concerns intentional criminal activity under the authority of law enforcement authorities,” the motor safety agency said in a statement. “Since last year, however, NHTSA has met repeatedly with Hyundai and Kia to discuss factors that contribute to the theft vulnerability, review the range of different software and hardware in affected models, and review the actions of both companies. We have received regular updates on our plans.”
These models were the subject of a social media viral trend in which thieves filmed stealing Hyundai and Kia cars and taking them for a drive. In some parts of the country, where theft has become so common, the problem has become so severe that some insurance companies refuse to create new policies for these Hyundai and Kia models. I got
The model in question does not have an electronic immobilizer. It relies on a computer chip in the car and another in the key to communicate to confirm that the key belongs to that vehicle. Without a suitable key, an immobilizer would have to do it. In other words, stop the movement of the car.
“Hyundai and Kia Motors have announced that they are launching a voluntary service campaign to provide software updates for certain vehicles with this starting system vulnerability. It is an unsolicited response and does not adequately address the safety concerns facing vehicle owners and the general public,” the letter to NHSTA said.
In a statement on Friday, Hyundai said it was “committed to ensuring the quality and integrity of our products.”
“Some of the Hyundai vehicles on the roads in the United States today, primarily ‘base trim’ or entry-level models, are not equipped with push-button ignition and fixed anti-theft devices,” Hyundai said. I’m here. “It is important to clarify that the engine immobilizer is an anti-theft device and that these vehicles are fully compliant with federal anti-theft requirements. and documented and promoted its exploits on TikTok and other social media channels.”
The automaker said it had taken “comprehensive actions” to help its customers. The measures include standardizing engine immobilizers on all vehicles as of November 2021 and rolling out software upgrades to deter theft “two months ahead of schedule”.
Kia said Friday, “We remain very focused on this issue and continue to take action to address the concerns raised by these Attorneys General. We are committed to fighting car theft and its role. , and committed to working with attorneys general and their respective state law enforcement agencies, and social media has played a role in that.”
Kia added, “We will continue to roll out free enhanced security software upgrades to limit unauthorized operation of the vehicle’s ignition system, and provide affected owners with a free steering wheel lock.” rice field.
“To date, Kia has reached out to more than 2 million Kia owners and lessees to let them know the software upgrade is available, and more than 165,000 eligible customers have already received the upgrade. We are installing it, ”said the automaker. “Furthermore, in addition to providing more than 39,000 free steering wheel locks to over 275 law enforcement agencies nationwide for distribution to affected Kia motor vehicle owners, approximately 8,000 to affected owners. We have shipped 2 locks directly and will lock as needed.”
Two South Korean automakers have created software patches to fix the problem, the automakers said. Although Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors operate as separate companies in the United States, Hyundai Motor Group owns a significant stake in Kia Motors, and various Hyundai and Kia Motors models share much of their engineering. increase.
The patch will be installed for free on models that require it, along with software that requires a physical key to the ignition to turn on the vehicle. This software will also block the car from starting after you lock the doors using the key fob remote control. Must be unlocked before starting the vehicle.
The software also extends the length of the alarm sound from 30 seconds to 1 minute. A Hyundai dealer will also put a sticker on his window indicating that the vehicle has anti-theft software installed.
“In short, Kia and Hyundai’s failure to equip many of their vehicles with standard safety features puts vehicle owners and the public at risk,” said Attorney General Bonta. “We urge the federal government to correct these companies through a nationwide recall and support their continued efforts to protect the public from these dangerous vehicles.”
Recalls are mandated by NHTSA, but more commonly by automakers to correct safety-related defects. The Attorney General’s letter argues that the ease of theft of these Hyundai and Kia vehicles constitutes a safety hazard and that the vehicles do not meet federal standards for anti-theft.
“In addition, the thieves drove these vehicles recklessly, speeding and performing violent stunts, causing numerous crashes that left at least eight people dead and seriously injured,” the letter said. ing.
CNN’s Aaron Silverman contributed to this report.