Maryland calls for federal recall of theft-prone Hyundai and Kia vehicles

BALTIMORE — Maryland Legal professional Basic Anthony Brown joined a coalition of 18 states calling for a federal recall of theft-prone Hyundai and Kia autos.

In a letter to the Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration (NHSTA), state leaders urge the company to recall choose Hyundai and Kia autos manufactured between 2011 and 2022 with a safety vulnerability that makes them straightforward to steal.  

The Legal professional Basic’s workplace mentioned the autos in query don’t have engine immobilizers, thus thieves are in a position to simply bypass ignition switches and begin the autos with out the important thing.

Latest knowledge has confirmed a big enhance in automotive thefts throughout Maryland, and america, with explicit deal with sure Kia and Hyundai fashions.

In Baltimore County alone, practically 200 Hyundai’s have been stolen in 2023.

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Social media movies demonstrating the benefit of stealing these autos are believed to be contributing to the surge in thefts.

“Automotive producers failing to adequately handle critical public security issues is totally unacceptable,” Legal professional Basic Brown mentioned.  “There’s a drawback with these explicit Hyundai and Kia autos that places lives in danger and has even resulted in a number of deaths. These corporations should be held accountable for fixing the security drawback with out placing the burden to take action on the vehicles’ homeowners.”

Within the letter, state leaders assert that Kia and Hyundai haven’t taken sufficient motion to treatment the safety vulnerabilities of their autos.