Posted on 11/21/23
| News Source: WBAL
The Baltimore City Council is asking federal regulators to recall Kia and Hyundai models that are at risk for theft.
At Monday night’s meeting, Council member Zeke Cohen, who sponsored the resolution, said the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration should issue the recall since the car makers haven’t.
“The widespread awareness among thieves about the manufacturing flaws in the absence of a mandatory recall to curb this defect makes Kia and Hyundai owners prime targets for car theft and vandalism in our city and nationwide,” Cohen said.
The city is also suing both car companies in Federal Court.
According to officials, 2,645 Hyundai vehicles and 1,091 Kia vehicles have been stolen in Baltimore City this year as of Oct. 31.
Only 15% of registered passenger vehicles in Baltimore City are manufactured by Kia or Hyundai, yet they account for 68 percent of stolen vehicles in the City as of Oct. 31.
Despite opportunities for reprogramming, the widespread knowledge among thieves about manufacturing defects has made Kia and Hyundai owners prime targets for vandalized and stolen cars.