Kia, Hyundai Urge Judge to Toss Insurers’ Car-Theft Lawsuits

Kia and Hyundai urged a federal judge to throw out suits by several hundred insurance companies seeking reimbursement for claims paid to drivers whose cars were allegedly easy to steal or vandalize due to a lack of security features.

The insurers said certain 2011–2022 Kia and Hyundai models have no engine immobilizer—an electronic security device that makes it harder to start a vehicle without the appropriate key. Social media posts that demonstrate how to break in and steal the cars fueled a rash of thefts.

The insurers—which want to collect more than $1 billion—failed to raise viable claims, Kia America ...