Seattle Sues Kia, Hyundai Over Surge In Thefts

SEATTLE — The city of Seattle this week filed a lawsuit against Kia and Hyundai, alleging the companies' failure to install adequate anti-theft technology in certain models is directly linked to an "exponential increase" in thefts around the region.

Certain models manufactured between 2011 and 2021 are at a much higher risk for theft, due to lacking an engine immobilizer device, and thieves can start them without a physical key. Thefts surged nationwide in recent months after videos went viral on social media apps like TikTok showing how to steal the vehicles using easily accessible items like a screwdriver and USB cable.

Seattle City Attorney Ann Davison filed the suit Monday in federal court, arguing both manufacturers neglected to take meaningful action to address a known public safety issue. According to Davison's office, thefts of Kia and Hyundai vehicles surged 363 percent and 503 percent in the Emerald City between 2021 and 2022.

"Kia and Hyundai chose to cut corners and cut costs at the expense of their customers and the public," Davison said in a statement Wednesday. "As a result, our police force has had to tackle a huge rise in vehicle theft and related problems with already stretched resources. Now Seattle taxpayers must shoulder the burden of the increase in theft."

The Seattle Police Department sounded the alarm in August after arresting teens suspected of several Kia thefts. Police said one of the young suspects told investigators he learned how to steal the cars from TikTok.

It's not just Seattle, either. Last month, the Pierce County Sheriff's Department reported 39 vehicles stolen in a single day and said nearly half were Kia and Hyundai models with known exploits.

Seattle officials said vehicles stolen in the thefts have been used to facilitate other crimes and were involved in crashes and chases. Most of the Seattle thefts have occurred around Capitol Hill, Northgate, Beacon Hill and the Central District.

The city also pointed to a case just a few weeks prior where teen suspects were accused of using two stolen vehicles to rob a man in Ballard, then fled south to Federal Way.

"Now that people know how easy it is to steal Hyundais and Kias, the Seattle Police Department has noticed a huge increase in the theft of these models, from 48 reported thefts of Hyundais and Kias in August to 197 in December,” said Adrian Diaz, Seattle police chief. "Sixty-four percent of those vehicles were later recovered within city limits, which shows they’re most likely being taken for short periods of time, often in order to commit other crimes."

Davison's suit is seeking damages from Hyundai and Kia and asks the court to "compel the auto manufacturers to abate the nuisance caused by their failure to install anti-theft technology," which the city notes is a nearly universal practice among other car manufacturers.