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POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A Polk County woman has joined a national class motion lawsuit against Hyundai Motor America and Kia America Inc. alleging “blatant breach of public trust” led to a surge in thefts of sure Kia and Hyundai automobiles bought with out an engine immobilizer.
Stephanie McQuarrie of Davenport, Florida leads the checklist of automobile homeowners demanding accountability from Hyundai and Kia after her 2015 Kia Optima was stolen final month by teenagers enjoying out the so-called “Kia Challenge” on social media.
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“They drove from Davenport to I-4, Exit 68 with the emergency brake on the whole time,” McQuarrie advised News 6. “The car was never taken out of first gear.”
McQuarrie mentioned that pleasure trip ruined the transmission and will value roughly $6,000 to restore.
She advised News 6 she had no concept an engine immobilizer had by no means been put in in her automobile.
Hyundai confirmed some earlier fashions, with no push-button ignition, wouldn’t have an engine immobilizer.
California lawyer Jonathon Michaels, founding father of MLG Attorneys at Law, is representing McQuarrie and dozens extra who’re demanding truthful compensation for the lacking gadget.
Michaels mentioned a fundamental USB cable and a screwdriver is “all you need” to bypass the ignition and drive away.
“We want an immediate recall on both vehicles,” Michaels advised News 6. “There needs to be compensation to all the vehicle owners who have been damaged by this.”
The “Kia Challenge” has already gathered greater than 31 million views on the TikTok social media web site alone.
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A spokesman for Hyundai advised News 6 the corporate “does not discuss pending litigation,” nonetheless the corporate has launched a glass-break sensor safety equipment out there to customers for about $170.
“We remain concerned about the increase in thefts of certain Hyundai vehicles,” he mentioned. “Hyundai is also developing a software update to further secure these targeted vehicles.”
The firm expects the software program replace to change into out there for sure automobiles “in the first half of 2023, with updates for other vehicles following thereafter.”
The value of set up will fluctuate, however in line with Michaels’ employees it may value as a lot as $500.
Michaels advised News 6 a recall would place the burden of value on Kia and Hyundai, not on the customers.
On Tuesday, Michaels’ agency referred to as on California Gov. Gavin Newsom to take authorized motion against the automakers for failing to put in engine immobilizers on their automobiles.
“A lawsuit by the state of California would join a cascade of litigation already initiated against the automakers,” he mentioned.
In the lawsuit filed earlier this month, Michaels argued that the associated fee to restore the steering column and injury from the theft can exceed $10,000.
According to the lawsuit, Kia automobiles manufactured from 2011 to 2021 and Hyundai automobiles manufactured from 2015 to 2021 which might be outfitted with conventional key ignitions are susceptible.
Michaels’ agency discovered that there have been 11.5 million automobiles bought by Kia and Hyundai throughout the years in query, with practically all of them having the identical starter system.
Hyundai wouldn’t verify these numbers, or something associated to the lawsuit.
Hyundai company spokesman Ira Gabriel advised News 6 in November 2021 “engine immobilizers became standard on all Hyundai vehicles produced.”
The immobilizer kits can be found for buy and set up at Hyundai dealerships and Compustar authorized installers throughout the nation.
Customers who’ve questions can contact the Hyundai Customer Care Center at: 800-633-5151.
If you might have any further questions or points, e mail makeendsmeet@wkmg.com.
For extra information on the category motion lawsuit, go to defectattorney.com.
Copyright 2022 by WKMG Click onOrlando – All rights reserved.
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