CITY OF SEATTLE
RESOLUTION __________________
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A RESOLUTION calling upon the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to issue a recall of Kia and Hyundai models lacking immobilizer technology that are vulnerable to theft.
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WHEREAS, in January 2023, The City of Seattle was the first municipality in the nation to file a complaint against automakers Kia and Hyundai, seeking the manufacturers be required to install industry standard anti-theft technology in specific Kia and Hyundai models made between 2011 and 2021; and to recover damages for the City from the automakers, as the absence of the technology led to an extraordinary number of vehicle thefts and a commensurate surge in response by Seattle Police; and
WHEREAS, Kia and Hyundai did not install industry-standard engine immobilizer technology on certain models between 2011 and 2022; and
WHEREAS, vehicles with this vulnerability can be easily stolen using a universal serial bus
(USB) cable and screwdriver in minutes, and instructional videos on how to do so have spread widely on TikTok and other social media platforms; and
WHEREAS, this vulnerability has allowed youth under the age of 16 and unlicensed drivers to access Kia and Hyundai vehicles and drive recklessly; and
WHEREAS, earlier this year, Kia and Hyundai offered free software updates to address this vulnerability; however, not all impacted vehicles are able to receive these software upgrades; and
WHEREAS, unlike voluntary software upgrades, a recall includes mailed notification to all impacted vehicle owners and the opportunity for a dealer to buy back a vehicle that cannot be repaired; and
WHEREAS, in Seattle, between January 1, 2020 and October 31, 2023, 1,889 Kias and Hyundais were stolen and The City of Seattle wants to join cities like Philadelphia and Baltimore in calling for a recall; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE THAT:
Section 1. The City Council calls on the National Highw...
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