Chicago has taken a questionable step, opting to address the recent surge in vehicle thefts in the form of an unprecedented lawsuit.
On Aug. 24, Chicago’s City Hall officially filed a lawsuit in Cook County Circuit Court against automakers Kia and Hyundai. The city’s contention is rooted in the car companies’ alleged omission of vital anti-theft systems that many other automakers have standardly incorporated.
The lawsuit asks the court to order the automakers to pay a huge amount in damages to cover the city’s costs associated with the stark increase in car thefts since 2022. Additionally, it aims to punish the carmakers for failing to follow a city ordinance with alleged deceptive marketing.
At the heart of the lawsuit lies the “Kia Boyz” phenomenon. The “Kia Boyz” car thieves have used online TikTok video tutorials that have gone viral to reveal an inherent flaw in a number of Kia and Hyundai vehicle models manufactured from 2011-2022, which primarily require physical keys for ignition.
In stark contrast, many vehicles from other manufacturers have been equipped with engine immobilizer systems during this period. Such systems demand a specific “smart key” with an embedded chip that deactivates the immobilizer, ensuring heightened vehicle security.
Kia and Hyundai’s omission of these engine immobilizers has paved the way for thieves to swiftly and almost effortlessly hotwire their vehicles. This is executed by merely dislodging a plastic guard beneath the steering wheel and utilizing a standard USB cable for ignition.
Notably, stolen vehicles are often used for other illicit activities, with culprits sometimes filming their escapades for social media attention.
“An increase in the incidence of automobile theft results in a substantial decrease in public safety,” the city lawsuit states. “Car theft results in reckless driving, which poses a risk to both the operators of the stolen vehicles and any lawful users of the public thoroughfare who are unfortunate enough to cross paths with them. Thieves commonly use stolen vehicles to commit further crimes.”
Chicago’s complaint sheds light on their current trend. Even though Kia and Hyundai vehicles constitute only 7% of all cars on Chicago’s streets, they made up 41% of all vehicles stolen in 2022.
This statistic leaped to 54% in July 2023. Such figures naturally amplify the strain on Chicago’s police force and city services. Moreover, a significant portion of the victims come from the city’s low- to middle-income bracket, who predominantly own these entry-level models.
However, the repercussions of these thefts transcend mere vehicle loss. The city’s complaint argues that the spike in auto theft has inadvertently contributed to broader criminal activities in Chicago.
The stolen vehicles have been linked to grave crimes, including “more than a dozen murders” from October 2022 to January 2023. A poignant case in point is the tragic murder of Chicago Police Officer Areanah Preston in May, where a stolen Kia played a role.
The city’s grievance also extends to Kia and Hyundai’s perceived delayed response to the issue. Their solutions, ranging from software updates to basic anti-theft kits, have been dubbed by the city as “too little, too late.”
Chicago is unequivocal in its stance, claiming Kia and Hyundai’s actions have propagated a “public nuisance” and constitute “deceptive practices” under city ordinances. The city seeks various remedies from the court, including:
The city has retained the renowned class action law firm, Edelson P.C. Representing Chicago in this pivotal case are attorneys David Mindell, Shantel Chapple Knowlton, Eve-Lynn J. Rapp, and Jimmy Rock.
It remains to be seen if Chicago has any real grounds to stand on with this lawsuit. If the carmakers are found liable, the implications would be huge and for more than just the auto industry.
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