MPD sounds alarm on Kia, Hyundai thefts after crash involving stolen vehicle

Jeff Ernewein and Jenna Webster KSTP

UPDATE: A 14-year-old is in the hospital with “life-threatening injuries” after he crashed a stolen Kia on Sunday night in north Minneapolis, according to police.

The crash happened around 10:40 p.m. near the intersection of 39th and Upton avenues. Minneapolis police say speed was a factor in the crash.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said the crash was a symptom of an “epidemic of stolen Kia and Hyundai vehicles.”

“The ease by which certain Kia and Hyundai vehicles can be stolen creates too great an opportunity for this crime,” O’Hara said in a statement. “Not only does this endanger youth, but it also endangers everyone near them when they are behind the wheel. Further, some of these vehicles are then used to facilitate more serious crime and harm in our communities.”

O’Hara cited MPD statistics that show Kia and Hyundai thefts are up nearly tenfold in 2022 compared to the past two years.

A 14-year-old is in the hospital with “life-threatening injuries” after he crashed a stolen Kia on Sunday night in north Minneapolis, according to police.

He added that year-to-date auto thefts have increased 48% — from 3,966 at this time in 2021 to 5,868 so far in 2022. That increase of 1,902 stolen vehicles closely coincides with the excess number of Kia and Hyundai thefts: 1,948.

The trend in Kia and Hyundai thefts stems from a TikTok challenge that exposed a defect in ignition-start vehicles and encouraged people to steal them with a USB cable and a screwdriver.

Numerous lawsuits against the auto manufacturers — including a few from plaintiffs in Minnesota — allege some models produced from 2011-21 lack an engine immobilizer and can be easily stolen without a key. In addition, some Kia and Hyundai vehicles can have their windows broken or pried open without setting off a security alarm.

O’Hara says these easily stolen vehicles “are then used facilitate more serious crime and harm in our communities.” This year, Minneapolis police have listed Kia or Hyundai cars as being involved in five homicides, 11 shootings, 34 robberies and 212 hit-and-run cases, among other crimes.

A spokesperson for Kia America said engine immobilizers are being installed in all new builds.

But for owners of defective Kia and Hyundai vehicles, MPD recommends precautions such as using a steering wheel lock, parking in a garage, leaving vehicles locked and keeping valuables out of sight.

An earlier version of this report can be found below.

[anvplayer video=”5152280″ station=”998122″]

5 EYEWITNESS NEWS is working to learn more about a crash late Sunday night in the Victory neighborhood within Minneapolis’ Camden community.

A 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS photographer witnessed the scene shown in the player above around 11:30 p.m. near Vincent and 39^th avenues north.

It is unknown at this time if anyone was hurt.

This article will be updated as law enforcement agencies provide more information.