A new class action lawsuit in Illinois filed against Kia and Hyundai makes this assertion.
Yvette Davis was proud of herself when she was finally able to purchase and claim ownership of this 2011 Hyundai Sonata after years of financial hardship.
On August 28, Davis’ pride was dashed when she went outside and saw that her automobile had been taken from in front of her house.
Davis started his investigation after filing a police report. She discovered that numerous class action lawsuits have been brought against Hyundai and Kia around the nation, arguing that the lack of an immobilizer is the reason the vehicles are so simple to steal.
Then CBS 2 discovered that one had recently been filed in federal court in Chicago for Illinois as well.
The lead attorney for the Illinois complaint and a dozen others, Ken McClain, alleges that Hyundai and Kia did not install the immobilizers to keep the cost of the vehicles low.
Kia and Hyundai have been aware for some time that not installing an immobilizer disadvantages their vehicles, according to McClain.
She is, nevertheless, among the fortunate. She recently received a letter informing her that her Sonata was being held in a city impound lot. Driveable despite damage.
But she doesn’t have any money to fix it because her sole insurance is liability. She was placed in touch with the class action lawsuit’s attorneys by CBS 2.
People who have had their Kias or Hyundais stolen are included in the lawsuits, according to McClain.
“We will be looking to have them reimbursed,” McClain said. “We will have different kinds of people with damages, including those who have had their cars taken.”
There are 13 claims against Kia and Hyundai, with McClain serving as the lead counsel in at least three of them. Both Hyundai and Kia were contacted by CBS 2 and asked for an interview or a response. Both stated that they do not speak on ongoing legal disputes.
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Class Action Lawsuit Against Hyundai and News Updates
Hyundai Motors, a South Korean automaker, was established in 1967 and has since developed into a well-known automotive brand that includes subsidiary companies including Kia Motors, Genesis Motor, and Ioniq. Consumers have criticized the automaker over the years, and a number of individual and class action lawsuits have been filed due to claims about how Hyundai does business. The spectrum of these charges includes claims that the carmaker used unethical marketing techniques, claims of engine breakdowns, and claims of other vehicle flaws.
Discover if there are any Hyundai settlements or class action investigations that you might be able to join by reading on to learn more about the most recent Hyundai class action lawsuit developments, potential lawsuit settlement amounts, and news updates.
Having trouble finding what you want? Look into any active class action settlements or lawsuits so you may see if you can join one.
In response to auto thefts, Cincinnati plaintiffs launch a class action lawsuit against Kia and Hyundai.
After a spate of automobile thefts, Cincinnati attorneys filed a class action lawsuit against Kia and Hyundai. It asserts that the businesses intentionally make their cars simple to steal.
One of many victims of a nationwide crime wave affecting Kia and Hyundai vehicles is Davis.
Hyundai vehicles from 2015 to 2022 and Kia models from 2011 to 2022 are currently under scrutiny.
Certain models are weak, according to a class action complaint filed by five people, including two in Cincinnati.
According to the lawsuit, “unlike conventional cars, the Class Vehicles do not include a “immobilizer” that prevents them from being started unless a code is transmitted from the Vehicle’s particular smart key.”
Customers report that by starting the engine with devices like USB cables, thieves are able to steal these vehicles.
Police allegedly discovered a Cincinnati victim’s 2019 Kia Forte with broken windows and a damaged steering column.
The narrative is consistent across the nation. Attorney Ken McClain brought a comparable lawsuit against Kia and Hyundai in Missouri and Kansas.
We were shocked that a contemporary manufacturer, especially one that sells so many automobiles, would completely neglect to incorporate the standard safety features that are present on other models in the industry.
Hyundai has been collaborating with regional police agencies to provide steering wheel locks for owners of previous model year Hyundai vehicles without an immobilizer, and will keep doing so. Hyundai has also discovered a Firstech / Compustar security package that specifically targets the way that thieves enter these vehicles.
This security package will be offered for purchase and installation at Hyundai dealerships and accredited Compustar installations across the nation starting on October 1, 2022.
Customers with queries can always call the Hyundai Consumer Assistance Center at 800-633-5151 until Hyundai releases more information.”
While it is impossible to make a car theft-proof, thieves specifically target cars with steel keys and “turn-to-start” ignition systems. The majority of Kia cars sold in the US come with a key fob and “push-button-start” technology, which makes them more difficult to steal. An immobilizer is installed on all 2022 Kia models and trims either at the start of the model year or as a running update.
To prevent theft and vandalism, Kia America has given steering wheel lock devices free of charge to local police in the impacted locations. The distribution of that information to concerned owners of Kia vehicles without an immobilizer will continue in close conjunction with regional police agencies.
Customers of Kia should call the Consumer Assistance department directly at 1-800-333-4542(4Kia) if they have any issues about their particular vehicle.”
Kia and Hyundai are the targets of a class action lawsuit over viral thefts.
According to police, one in five car thefts this year have involved a Kia or Hyundai. Officials think this is partly because key-started Kias and Hyundais produced between 2011 and 2021 lack a “immobilizer,” an anti-theft feature.
The autos can be taken without the immobilizer using simply a USB cable and a screwdriver.
Attorney Jonathan Michaels of Orange County filed a class-action lawsuit against Kia America and Hyundai Motor America on Wednesday. Although the two businesses are autonomous, Kia is owned by Hyundai.
According to the lawsuit, both businesses’ choice to rely on antiquated technology increased thefts, which resulted in a decline in value on the secondary market.
“It’s a genuine key, just like one of those vintage keys from the 1960s. They are the only automaker that we are aware of who produces a vehicle without an engine immobilizer “explained Michaels.
According to Michaels, there are 10 million automobiles without an immobilizer, and it would cost $500 to fix each one.
Despite saying they are collaborating with police on the matter, Kia and Hyundai declined to comment on any litigation that is now active.
Alissa Smart of Indiana told Nexstar’s WXIN earlier this year that she thinks the TikTok challenge is to blame for an attempt to steal her Kia.
According to WAVY, police in Norfolk, Virginia, have seen a 35% rise in Kia and Hyundai thefts in just the first half of July. Additionally, Beloit, Wisconsin, and Kentwood, Michigan, police are advising Kia and Hyundai owners to take additional safety measures.
Sgt. Eric Brunner of the Kent County Sheriff’s Department in Michigan told Nexstar’s WOOD that thieves have been taking advantage of the immobilizer issue, and some of them have even started publishing their illicit exploits online. The steering columns of at least 30 Kia and Hyundai vehicles were damaged during one week in June, according to Rick Ricart of Ricart Automotive in Ohio, who spoke to WCMH.
Smart, the Indiana break-in victim, also expressed to WXIN her opinion that TikTok shouldn’t permit the kind of content that would lead to other break-ins.
She declared, “I am so horrified by this tendency.” “I honestly don’t understand why individuals believe it’s acceptable to publish criminal activity, much less engage in it after viewing it online,”
For Kia and Hyundai vehicles, a California lawsuit is seeking damages and repairs.
The claim in the lawsuit is that the plaintiffs overpaid for these cars because they didn’t know they were missing engine immobilizers, which made them easier targets for thieves, and that they should be compensated financially for their mistake.
The complaint also demands that the automakers accept liability and install the necessary equipment to make the vehicles less prone to theft.
The complaint claims that all Hyundai cars from 2015 to 2021 and all Kia models from 2011 to 2021 are affected.
Individuals can still join the class action case, according to the firm. Participants can be any owner of a Kia or Hyundai whose vehicle is vulnerable to the type of theft depicted in the viral films, not only those whose cars have been taken. In recent weeks, a number of cases have been submitted, notably in Ohio federal courts.
Kia America expressed its alarm about the rise in auto thefts of a certain subset of Kia automobiles in a statement to The Enquirer.
“It is regrettable that thieves are utilizing social media in a coordinated attempt to target cars without engine immobilizers. Every one of our cars complies with or surpasses the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. While it is impossible to make a car theft-proof, thieves specifically target cars with steel keys and “turn-to-start” ignition systems. The majority of Kia automobiles sold in the US come with a key fob and “push-button-start” technology, making them harder to steal “The business stated.
The carmaker said that an immobilizer has been added to all 2022 Kia models and grades, either at the start of the model year or as a running update.
How much is the settlement for the Hyundai fuel economy class action?
— (Reuters) A $210 million nationwide class-action settlement for thousands of owners of Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Motors Corp. vehicles whose fuel economy ratings were overstated was reinstated by a U.S. appeals court.
What does the Hyundai warranty not cover?
Even though Hyundai offers one of the most thorough manufacturer warranties, purchasing an Elantra doesn’t guarantee that you’ll never have to pay for your own auto repairs. A few things that are not covered by the Hyundai warranty include:
- services for routine maintenance, such as oil changes
- cars with tampered odometers
- wearable components such as brake pads and wiper blades
- Damage from misuse or negligence of the vehicle
- damage brought on by environmental factors such as acid rain, tree sap, or natural catastrophes
What year did Hyundai recall its engines?
Model Year 2013 and 2014 Hyundai Sonata vehicles with 2.0 liter and 2.4 liter gasoline direct injection (GDI) engines produced at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama will have their engines inspected and, if necessary, replaced as part of a safety recall by Hyundai in the United States.
Which Hyundai models are being stolen?
Certain types and models of Kia and Hyundai cars from 2010 to 2021 that require mechanical keys rather than key fobs and push buttons to start the car are being targeted by thieves. Young kids are the majority of the burglars, and they hot wire the automobile using a USB cord.
How are automobiles from Hyundai and Kia stolen?
Thieves are aware that some Hyundai and Kia cars and SUVs lack a “key” anti-theft system. Because their keys lack computer chips for theft “immobilizer” systems, an insurance industry association claims that these vehicles are stolen at a rate that is almost two times higher than that of the rest of the auto industry.
Are Hyundai engines covered by a lifetime warranty?
I was conversing with a friend at the pub because we both enjoy automobiles. He informed me that Hyundai offers a lifetime warranty on all of its engines, but I was a little dubious about this. Is this accurate, or did he get this warranty wrong?
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Hyundai’s engines would have a lifetime warranty in an ideal world, but that is not the reality. Hyundai offers new customers a powertrain warranty that is among the most generous, covering the first 10 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. The drivetrain, transmission, engine, and other parts are all covered by this warranty.
With this guarantee, Hyundai surpasses virtually every other automaker in the sector as having the greatest warranty in America. Additionally, it has a six-year, 50,000-mile basic guarantee that, like a bumper-to-bumper warranty, covers almost all of the car’s components as long as the issue isn’t the result of normal wear and tear or maintenance.
Even if the Hyundai warranty program is among the best available, make sure you also purchase a reliable auto insurance plan. The Jerry app can be useful at such point.
In approximately 45 seconds, Jerry, a certified insurance broker, can get quotes from more than 55 of the best insurers. Jerry can assist you with purchasing new insurance and canceling your old policy if you discover a fantastic deal. Users save more than $800 year on average.