ST. LOUIS–City officials continue to push Kia and Hyundai for a recall after confirming last week that lawyers for the two auto manufacturers responded to the city’s legal department and fell short of agreeing to St. Louis’ request.  It comes as the automaker's vehicles have become targets for auto theft around the country, including the St. Louis region.

While both automakers have made changes to their product lines beginning with the 2022 model year to ward off thieves, a Spectrum News review of the responses shows that the manufacturers say their products aren’t defective and point the blame at social media.

“We must respectfully disagree with your contention that any defect or failure on our part is responsible for these thefts and the wider pattern of criminal activity involving these vehicle thefts, said Jason Erb, Chief Legal Officer for Hyundai wrote. “Rather than a vehicle issue, these thefts are unfortunately being caused by criminal acts popularized through social media. Accordingly, there is no basis for a claim of public nuisance against Hyundai,” he said, adding that the company has given free vehicle wheel locks to St. Louis and University City police, along with the North County Police Cooperative.

Hyundai, he said, is also active when it comes to social media monitoring, working to have posts demonstrating the thefts taken down.

A security kit will be available for purchase starting October 1. Hyundai has not said how much the kits will cost and why they are being provided at a cost.

On Monday, St. Louis Public Safety Director Dr. Dan Isom told reporters the best answer was still a comprehensive recall, but that the kit's cost should be defrayed for consumers. 

“We strongly disagree with your statement that the subset of our vehicles that do not contain immobilizers are “defective”, or that these vehicles are the cause of the thefts, property damage, and acts of violence occurring in St. Louis, wrote John Yoon, Executive VP, Legal, for Kia America. “As a fundamental issue, the thefts are not caused by the vehicles themselves but are caused by criminal actors who apparently are copying acts publicized on social media sites. There is no basis for any claim of public nuisance against Kia, and we will vigorously defend against any such claim.

Kia has worked with local law enforcement to provide what it says are thousands of free steering wheel locks for vehicles that don’t already have an engine immobilizer. Kia says it has given the locks to the University City Police Department but hasn’t been approached by St. Louis police.

A St. Louis police spokesperson deferred questions to the City Counselor's office. Isom said Monday that while wheel locks have a place, wheel immobilizers should be put in all vehicles.

As of September 15, St. Louis Metropolitan Police reported 4,588 stolen vehicles, compared to 4,132 for all of 2021.