Kia and Hyundai face legal action over viral car thefts.
The theft of Kias and Hyundais has become a cultural phenomenon among young Black males in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods, with joyrides in stolen vehicles often ending up on TikTok. The Kia Boys, a decentralized group of underage car thieves, have taken advantage of a crucial design flaw in the cars' ignition systems. The epidemic of theft has confounded law enforcement and forced the automakers to rethink their cost-cutting strategies, resulting in a $200 million settlement. The Kia Boys steal solely for the joyride, and the cars almost always find their way back to their owner, albeit totaled.