Attorneys general of 18 states have asked regulators to recall Hyundai and Kia vehicles due to lack of anti-theft features.

(Associated Press file photo)

[Financial Channel/Comprehensive Report] California Attorney General Rob Bonta and the attorneys general of 17 other states said on Thursday (20th) that they are asking federal regulators to recall Hyundai and Kia vehicles because The cars of these two brands lack the standard anti-theft features of other models and are more likely to be stolen.

According to police and state officials, Hyundai and Kia vehicles account for a large percentage of stolen cars in several U.S. cities, and while most have been fitted with industry-standard anti-theft devices in recent years, Reuters reported Some of the South Korean automaker's entry-level models don't come with immobilizers or an engine start button.

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Bonta said in a statement that Hyundai and Kia failed to install standard safety features on many of their vehicles, putting owners and the public at risk.

The states have sent a letter of their concerns to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Hyundai Motor said that while some of its vehicles do not have such anti-theft devices installed, they meet federal anti-theft requirements because engine anti-theft devices are not required by the federal government; Kia stated that these specific models fully comply with federal standards, according to It is neither appropriate nor necessary under federal law to recall vehicles.

Among 2015-2019 model year vehicles, Hyundai and Kia are nearly twice as likely to be stolen in the U.S. than other manufacturers, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The two automakers said in February that they would provide software upgrades to 8.3 million vehicles in the United States to help deter theft.

But Bonta's statement noted that many of the affected vehicles will not receive the upgrade until June and cannot be installed on certain 2011-2022 model years.

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