Nashville sues automakers Kia and Hyundai over rash of car thefts in Music City

If you own a Kia or a Hyundai, authorities say you should be extra vigilant to prevent your car from being stolen

Car thefts targeting Kia and Hyundai models have skyrocketed in Nashville over the past year and authorities say it’s largely due to the automakers’ failure to equip the vehicles with reasonable anti-theft technology.

It’s been a problem nationwide after a series of “how-to” videos on TikTok exposed a security flaw where thieves could easily turn on the ignition switch with a USB cable and drive off in seconds.

Hyundai Motor America and Kia America last year settled a class action lawsuit over the security issues. They’re also facing a wave of suits from cities including Seattle, Milwaukee, Orlando and Philadelphia.

And Nashville is now jumping on board.

1,504 Kia and Hyundai vehicles stolen in Nashville last year

Metro Nashville in August filed a federal lawsuit against the two automakers alleging that a cost-cutting decision not to equip vehicles with reasonable anti-theft technology has led to a massive public safety problem.

“Despite taking some initial steps to discourage thefts, Defendants have been unable to abate the dangerous crime wave unleashed on communities nationwide—a crime wave that continues to this day,” the lawsuit says.

Representatives for Kia and Hyundai did not respond to requests for comment.

In Nashville, 1,504 Kia and Hyundai vehicles were stolen last year for a 555% increase compared to 2022, and a more than 750% increase since 2021, the lawsuit notes.

In many cases, teens are stealing the vehicles for crime sprees and joyrides after watching the social media tutorials, the suit says.

In response, the Metro Nashville Police Department has formed a special initiative targeting auto thefts and has sent out news alerts urging Kia and Hyundai owners to schedule software upgrades.

But the lawsuit says the software updates are ineffective and that some vehicles have been stolen even after the update.

Hyundai and Kia accused of putting profit over public safety

Most recent car models have immobilizer technology that ensures the ignition can’t be started without the key, but Hyundai and Kia for most models built between 2011 and 2022 left out this technology, an industry standard, for the sake of profit, the lawsuit says.

“Despite knowing the unquestionable benefit of engine immobilizers, until the last year or so, Hyundai and Kia offered such anti-theft devices only in a few of their more expensive models, like the Azera, and they failed to equip their other models with any reasonably effective alternative,” the suit says.

The companies eventually offered a free software upgrade, but Hyundai initially “turned this crisis of its own making into a source of revenue” by selling security kits for $170, plus the cost of installation, according to the lawsuit.

The suit says the companies have not yet implemented a mandatory recall to install immobilizers or other anti-theft technology, leaving millions of susceptible vehicles on the road.

How bad is the problem in Nashville?

The lawsuit says the rash of auto thefts have drained law enforcement resources and caused substantial risk to public safety.

And the numbers in Nashville keep growing.

In 2021, Hyundais and Kias accounted for about 7% of vehicle thefts in Nashville. In 2023, that number skyrocketed to 33% of all vehicle thefts. In January, Kias and Hyundais represented more than half of all vehicle thefts.

Overall, Nashville last year saw its highest auto theft rate since 1998.

The suit notes recent cases where teens stole the vehicles for crime sprees.

In January, three teens were arrested in connection with an East Nashville crime spree involving a stolen Kia Rio and a Hyundai SUV.

In another case this year, a 15-year-old already on probation for possessing a handgun and vehicle theft was charged with a string of thefts in Hermitage after being arrested in a stolen Kia Sportage.

What can drivers do?

Drivers are urged to look into getting a free software upgrade for their vehicle.

The MNPD says nearly 4 million vehicles are eligible for models built between 2011 and 2022 with a “turn-key-to-start” ignition system. The upgrade will activate an ignition kill so the vehicle cannot be started without the key.

Affected models sold without engine immobilizers include: Hyundai Accent, Elantra, Elantra GT, Elantra Coupe, Elantra Touring, Genesis Coupe, Kona, Palisade, Santa Fe, Santa FeSport, Santa Fe XL, Sonata, Tucson, Veloster, Venue, and Veracruz; and the Kia Forte, K5, Optima, Rio,Sedona, Seltos, Sorento, Soul, and Sportage.

For more information on Hyundai upgrades, visit Hyundai Anti-Theft Software Upgrade or call 1-800-633-5151.

For more information on Kia upgrades, visit Information on Kia Upgrades or call 1-800-333-4542

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville sues automakers Kia and Hyundai over rash of car thefts in Music City