MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota’s largest city is calling on the federal government to better protect people from having their cars stolen.
For Minneapolis Police its an all to familiar routine — a wave of crimes committed by juveniles in stolen Hyundai’s and Kia’s.
“The problem is so significant — causing death, causing injury, causing armed robberies, causing opportunities for these crimes to occur,” said Minneapolis Police Chief, Brian O’Hara.
RELATED: Minneapolis woman’s Kia stolen for a fourth time within one year
In response, the Minneapolis City Council is firing back passing a recall resolution.
“This resolution is specifically asking our federal regulators to do a recall,” said Elliott Payne, a member of the Minneapolis City Council. “Not just make it a voluntary recall by the manufacturers but a mandatory recall.”
This comes as Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and other Attorneys General continues to investigate with some even suing the manufacturers.
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The Highway Loss Data Institute says between 2020 and 2023 there was a 1,000% increase in the theft of Hyundai and Kia vehicles nationwide.
This fall Hyundai and Kia offered free anti-theft software installation clinics. Minneapolis Police says since then there has been a significant improvement.
“Each week the proportion of cars stolen that are Kia’s and Hyundai’s have been decreasing,” said O’Hara.
RELATED: Free security upgrades available for certain models of Hyundai, Kia vehicles
While still a serious threat, car thefts year-to-date in Minneapolis have decreased by 34%. Carjacking have also dropped nearly 29%.
Both Hyundai and Kia continue to offer free theft prevention software upgrades to eligible vehicles.
