New York City sues Hyundai, Kia after security flaw leads wave of car theft

New York City has filed a lawsuit against Hyundai and Kia, joining a host of other cities beset by a social media fuelled wave of car thefts due to a flaw that made some car models highly susceptible to theft.

Viral how-to videos on TikTok and other sites show how to start the cars using only USB cables and a screwdriver. The reason is that some models sold by Hyundai and Kia in the US came without engine immobilisers, a standard feature on most cars since the 1990s that prevent the engine from starting unless the key is present.

The lawsuit, which was filed with the US District Court in the Southern District of New York late Tuesday, alleges that Hyundai Motor America and Kia America Inc failed to keep up with other automakers by not adopting immobiliser technology that ensured car ignitions could not be started without their keys.

"Hyundai's and Kia's business decisions to reduce costs, and thereby boost profits, by foregoing common anti-theft technology have resulted in an epidem