Kia, Hyundai Urge Dismissal of Lawsuits Based on Vehicle Thefts

Kia America Inc., Hyundai Motor America, and related companies urged a federal judge to dismiss consumer suits alleging certain vehicles lack adequate theft-deterrent systems.

They’re not responsible for a stealing spree spurred on by a social media challenge, they say.

Drivers asserted consumer deception and other claims, alleging they overpaid for certain 2011–2022 Kia and Hyundai models equipped with traditional “insert-and-turn” steel key ignition systems because the lack of an engine immobolizer made them easy to steal. An immobilizer is an electronic security device that makes it more difficult to start a vehicle without the appropriate key.

The ...