Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson Sues Automakers as Car Theft ‘Crisis’ Gets Worse

Democratic Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office announced that the city filed the lawsuit against automakers Kia and Hyundai, alleging that both companies have failed to include “industry-standard engine immobilizers” in several models of vehicles, which resulted in a “steep rise” in crime.

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The complaint specifically accuses both companies of failing to equip their U.S. cars sold between 2011 and 2022 with “vital anti-theft technology,” stating that both companies “deceptively assured consumers that these vehicles possessed ‘advanced’ safety features, despite knowing about this critical defect and its consequences.”

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In 2023, thefts of Kia and Hyundai cars compromise over half of all Chicago car thefts in 2023.

“Because these vehicles are entry-level models, Kia’s and Hyundai’s failure to include engine immobilizers disproportionately impacts low-income Chicago residents. Moreover, offenders have used stolen Kia and Hyundai vehicles to commit other crimes, including reckless driving, armed robbery, and murder,” Johnson’s office said.

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