Kia and Hyundai to Spend Millions Fixing Old Cars to Stop ‘Kia Boyz’ Theft
However, the situation has taken a drastic turn, with millions of Kia and Hyundai cars being stolen due to a lack of anti-theft technology.
Settlement with 35 States Includes Free Repairs
Consequently, Kia and Hyundai have agreed to outfit the roughly 9 million eligible cars sold between 2011 and 2022 with a zinc sleeve installed around the ignition cylinder to prevent theft.
Repairs Could Cost Up to $500 Million
Moreover, the automakers have promised that all of their future cars will have an engine immobilizer, a piece of technology that prevents would-be thieves from bypassing the ignition.
Previous Agreements and Software-Based Immobilizer
Meanwhile, the automakers previously agreed to pay $200 million to settle a class-action lawsuit over cars lacking electronic anti-theft immobilizers in 2023, and began rolling out a software-based immobilizer that appears to have reduced, but not eliminated, the theft problem.
Investigation and Settlement
In addition, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, who launched the 2023 investigation resulting in the Tuesday settlement, called the situation a “crisis” that began “in a boardroom, traveled through the internet and ended up in tragic results when somebody stole those cars.”
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