TikTok videos are contributing to a surge in thefts of vehicles made by the automakers, state legal officials say.
Nearly two dozen state attorneys general are demanding that Hyundai and Kia take action to halt what the legal officials say is an"alarming" rash of thefts of the South Korean automakers' vehicles.
"Cars are often one of the largest purchases a family will ever make — and families shouldn't have to worry that manufacturers are cutting corners that could put their purchase at risk," California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement."Hyundai and Kia made a decision to forgo a standard safety feature that would help protect owners' investments, and now their customers are paying the price.
In a statement, Kia told CBS MoneyWatch on Monday that it has contacted roughly 1.1 million drivers to inform them of the software upgrade and that it will notify an additional 2 million by the end of March. Dealerships say that installing the tech takes under an hour, the company added. "We are also in contact with major insurance carriers so they are aware of the actions we have taken, and we are actively working with them to ensure our customers have access to quality and comprehensive coverage," Kia said.
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