Remember the old “Kia Challenge” from TikTok back in 2021? Well, that was when a lot of people out there were stealing the Kia cars, just using a USB cord and nothing else. That was just crazy to see how some people were able to bypass the safety systems of these cars and steal them fairly easily. Sure, it is a crime, but it became even more serious when these stolen cars were involved in some gruesome accidents. And this precisely is the biggest reason why this Kia Hyundai Columbus Lawsuit is a thing now. So, if you don’t know much about this lawsuit or case yet, then just keep on reading because the details will shock you.
Columbus, Ohio Faced It Bad
Firstly, let’s delve into a practical illustration from Columbus, Ohio. The number of automobiles stolen there between 2022 and 2023 almost reached 10,000. More than half of them? Kias and Hyundais. There was a time when these two manufacturers’ vehicles represented roughly 50% of the car thefts in Columbus. Such an event is not something to be taken lightly; it has gone beyond the level of a crisis.
But the situation didn’t just end with that. Moreover, the year 2024 saw a decline in the total number of crimes in the city; however, car break-ins kept going up. The whole process not only drained the city of its resources but also made it difficult for the safety of citizens, as they had to pay taxes to finance the efforts that were part of what the city was doing to ensure public safety.
One Story That Changed Everything
We can easily focus on statistics, but it’s important to remember that there are real people behind those figures. A mom from Columbus had her son taken away from her due to a fatal hit-and-run accident in 2023. The car that caused the tragedy? A stolen Kia. It was that loss that led her to sue the company.
At that point, events escalated dramatically. No longer was it solely a matter of stolen cars. It evolved into a much bigger problem, one that affected human lives and the families that were torn apart.
The Legal Action Columbus Took
In the Spring of 2023, Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein felt the time had come for a response. With his office, he sued Kia and Hyundai. The allegation? The companies were fully aware of the risk of theft, but decided on the cheap and removed anti-theft features.
Consequently, the authorities were required to spend a great deal of time and money to manage the consequences of the event like law enforcement inquiries, insurance claims, paperwork, etc. Then, they took legal action. The intent was obvious: to make the city receive monetary compensation and demand that the car manufacturers take responsibility for it.
Columbus Isn’t Fighting Alone
Columbus decided to hire the law firm Allen Stovall Neuman & Ashton to manage the case. They are the ones who operate on a contingency basis, like they receive their full payment only when the city gets either a verdict in its favor or a settlement. No victory, no payment. That’s it.
And they are not the only ones; other cities like Cleveland, Indianapolis, and Seattle have also filed lawsuits. Even insurance companies have started to take part in the game, most probably because they are tired of paying for losses related to stolen cars.
What Kia and Hyundai Have to Say
The manufacturers of cars have not kept quiet. A representative of Hyundai, using stronger language than the report, described the suit as “unnecessary and off track.” It was mentioned that from November 2021, the production of Hyundai cars has been equipped with engine immobilizers.
Maybe that’s the case; however, the majority of drivers and cities perceived the update as being too late.