Kia, Hyundai Reach Settlement With State AGs Over Car Theft Wave

Kia Corp. and Hyundai Motor Co. settled with 36 attorneys general after a 2021 social media challenge led to widespread carjackings, Connecticut Attorney General William Tong (D) announced Tuesday.

The deal requires the carmakers to equip future vehicles with engine immobilizers or equivalent technology and gives consumers one year to get a hardware upgrade that provides additional anti-theft protection for cars without immobilizers.

Kia and Hyundai faced widespread litigation after a 2021 and 2022 trend on TikTok showed users how easy it was to steal their cars.

Car owners, insurers, and municipalities alleged the lack of anti-theft technology caused a ...