The attorneys general of 22 U.S. states slammed Hyundai and Kia on Monday, saying they need to do more to address the vulnerability of millions of U.S. cars to theft, Reuters reported.
The incident was sparked by the “Kia Challenge” campaign that went viral on the Internet last August that allowed cars to be stolen with just a USB cable.
In the letter, the district attorney said the automakers had failed to do enough to address the alarming theft rate and urged them to speed up the implementation of software upgrades and provide free alternative protections for owners whose cars do not support them, according to the report.
On Monday, local time, Kia Motors and Hyundai said they have contacted more than 2.1 million customers to advise them on software upgrades.
Kia Motors said it is actively working with major insurers “to ensure our customers have access to quality and comprehensive coverage.” For its part, Hyundai said all vehicles are compliant with U.S. anti-theft requirements and has begun reimbursing eligible customers for the cost of steering wheel locks.
Data show that more than 7,000 thefts from Hyundai and Kia vehicles occurred in Chicago in 2022, representing 10% and 7% of Kia and Hyundai vehicles registered in the city, respectively.
The automakers and the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) said they will offer a free upgrade for 3.8 million Hyundai and 4.5 million Kia vehicles. Hyundai said the upgrade applies to all U.S. models from 2011 to 2022.
