Berkeley Mayor Asks City Attorney to Explore Legal Action Against Hyundai and Kia for Security Failures

May 16, 2023

Berkeley Mayor Asks City Attorney To Explore Legal Action Against Hyundai and Kia For Security Failures

BERKELEY, CA - Today, Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguín announced that he had submitted a resolution directing the City Attorney to explore legal action to hold Hyundai and Kia accountable for their failure to provide basic security features on their vehicles that most manufacturers install to prevent theft. 

“Step aside Nicolas Cage, with just a USB cord and a screwdriver these vehicles are gone in 30 seconds,” said Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguín. “These corporations cut corners and their vehicles are incredibly vulnerable to theft as a result. That’s having implications for consumer and public safety alike, and it’s putting an unnecessary strain on police resources. Corporations that place profits above community and consumer safety must be held accountable.”

According to recent data, Hyundai and Kia vehicles manufactured with easily-bypassed ignition switches that lack engine immobilizers have been stolen at disproportionately high rates. In Berkeley, thefts of these cars have made up 38% of all vehicle thefts since the end of 2022.

Studies by the Highway Loss Data Institute show that vehicle theft losses significantly decreased after the automobile industry introduced immobilizer devices. Despite this, only 26 percent of the 2015 vehicle series for Hyundai and Kia models were equipped with standard immobilizers, compared to 96 percent of all other makes combined. 

“Hyundai and Kia must take immediate action to improve the security features on their vehicles and prevent further thefts,” added Mayor Arreguín.

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