The Reading Police Department is seeking public assistance in their investigation of three incidents involving stolen motor vehicles and a series of vehicle break-ins overnight. Stolen vehicles were recovered and returned to their owners, but one vehicle remains missing. Residents are urged to report any car break-ins and provide video surveillance or information to aid in the investigation.
A federal judge has declined to approve a proposed settlement in a class-action lawsuit against Hyundai and Kia prompted by a surge in vehicle thefts, stating that the proposed remedies are not "fair and adequate" for vehicle owners. The settlement, valued at $200 million, would offer cash payments for theft-related damage and a voluntary recall to update theft-protection software. However, the judge raised concerns about the calculation of payments and the effectiveness of the software update in preventing future thefts. Attorneys general from six states and the District of Columbia have urged the judge to require the installation of engine immobilizers in theft-prone vehicles as an alternative solution.
A federal judge has declined to approve a proposed settlement in a class-action lawsuit against Hyundai and Kia prompted by a surge in vehicle thefts, citing inadequate relief for vehicle owners. The proposed settlement, valued at $200 million, includes cash payments for theft-related damage and a voluntary recall to update theft-protection software. However, concerns were raised about the calculation of payments and the effectiveness of the software update. Attorneys general from six states and the District of Columbia have urged the judge to require the installation of engine immobilizers in theft-prone vehicles as an alternative solution.
New York City has sued Hyundai and Kia, accusing the automakers of negligence and creating a public nuisance by selling vehicles that are too easy to steal. The city faulted the automakers' failure to install anti-theft devices called immobilizers on most of their cars from 2011 to 2022, making them "nearly unique" among automobile manufacturers. The complaint seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages. Hyundai and Kia have cited their anti-theft efforts and called the lawsuit "without merit."
Six juveniles were arrested in Olathe, Kansas in connection to multiple vehicle thefts in the Kansas City area. The Olathe Police Department recovered a 2020 Kia Optima and a 2017 Hyundai Sonata, both reported stolen. The incident is under investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact the Olathe Police Department or the TIPS Hotline.
Lancaster police report an increase in vehicle thefts, particularly 2011 to 2021 Kia and 2015 to 2021 Hyundai models, due to a nationwide TikTok challenge. Hyundai and Kia offer free software upgrades to deter thieves, but some insurance companies refuse to insure these models due to the high theft rate.
