Metro Lex News

Lexington has initiated legal action against Hyundai USA and Kia Corporation, alleging that the companies have created a public safety nuisance due to their vehicles' lack of anti-theft technology. Mayor Linda Gorton announced the lawsuit this morning, highlighting that Lexington joins several other cities nationwide in suing the car manufacturers.

“Hyundais and Kias are stolen at alarming rates in Lexington and across the country because they lack engine immobilizers or other reasonable anti-theft technology that has been used by other carmakers for decades to prevent vehicle theft,” Gorton stated. “Our top priority is to make sure our streets are safe.”

According to city data, Hyundais and Kias constituted approximately 40% of all vehicles stolen during the past winter and spring in Lexington. Notably, December 2023 saw more thefts of these brands than all other car makes combined.

Engine immobilizers have long been an industry standard for preventing vehicle theft. However, Hyundai and Kia have not equipped most of their U.S. market vehicles with this technology between 2011 and 2022, despite its widespread adoption by other manufacturers. In contrast, only 26% of 2015-model Hyundai and Kia vehicles in the U.S. had immobilizers compared to 96% from all other manufacturers. The companies do install immobilizers in all models sold in European and Canadian markets.

“By cutting corners on safety, these car manufacturers are leaving it to American communities to clean up their mess,” Gorton added. “These cases consume our law enforcement and emergency resources. Car theft goes hand in hand with reckless driving, which in turn results in injuries and even death.”

The lawsuit seeks both monetary damages and injunctive relief to cover costs related to law enforcement time, emergency services expenses, and other community harms associated with vehicle thefts.

Filed in the Central District of California—where litigation against Hyundai and Kia for vehicle thefts has been centralized—the suit sees representation from Keller Rohrback (Seattle-based) and Poppe Law Firm (Louisville-based). Both firms are experienced in this legal area and are working on a contingency-fee basis; any fees will be paid by Kia and Hyundai if the case is successful.

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