D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb joins 17 state attorneys general in asking the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to issue a recall of Kia and Hyundai models lacking anti-theft controls in a letter on Thursday.

Users on TikTok and other social media platforms have shown thieves how to use a USB cable to hotwire Kia and Hyundai models built between 2010 and 2021 that use a mechanical key — not a key fob and push button car starter.

“The absence of anti-theft measures in cars manufactured by Kia and Hyundai has resulted in a significant increase in auto thefts – and collateral public safety issues – across the District and country,” said D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb said in a statement. “In the District, Kias and Hyundais accounted for a significant portion of cars recovered in 2022, and an even greater portion in 2023.”

Motor vehicle theft has increased by 105% between 2022 and 2023, according to data from MPD. In 2022, MPD data shows that Kia and Hyundai thefts made up one-in-eight car thefts in the District, and preliminary data from the first month of 2023 shows that has jumped to one-in-three, according to a spokesperson from the Office of the Attorney General.

So far, local responses to the spike in thefts include the distribution of anti-theft tools like steering wheel locks and providing advice for Kia and Hyundai owners to make their cars less easily stolen. But that hasn’t stopped some insurance companies, like Progressive and State Farm, from refusing to cover specific Kia and Hyundai models because they’re “too easy to steal.”

Nationally, Kia and Hyundai promised to provide a software update extending car alarms from 30 seconds to a minute. But the letter from the attorneys general requesting a recall claim that the software update will take too long to apply and that it won’t work for a significant percentage of vehicles.

“The affected vehicles’ starting systems are not in compliance with federal standards and pose an unreasonable risk to public safety,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in the letter. “We call on NHTSA to exercise its authority to order a mandatory recall or ensure Hyundai and Kia institute a voluntary recall.”

Kia and Hyundai both said in statements that their vehicles are fully compliant with federal anti-theft requirements.

“All Kia vehicles are subject to and comply fully with the requirements outlined in applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards,” Kia said in a statement. “Additionally, because there is no defect in the security features in any of these vehicles and because these specific models comply fully with all applicable federal standards, a recall is neither appropriate nor necessary under federal law.”

In addition to the software update, Hyundai is partnering with AAA insurers to offer insurance options, making engine immobilizers standard on all vehicles as of November 2021, and launching a website for car theft support.

The NHTSA told WAMU/DCist they repeatedly met with Hyundai and Kia to discuss causes contributing to thefts, review the scope of software and hardware for different models, and receive regular updates on the companies’ action plans.

“This particular matter involves intentional criminal conduct under the purview of law enforcement authorities,” NHTSA told WAMU/DCist. “NHTSA will continue to monitor this issue, spread awareness of further updates to local authorities, and lend its expertise in efforts to strengthen motor vehicle safety.”