DC police giving away free wheel locks to certain Kia and Hyundai model owners

by: Foster Meyerson

Posted: May 15, 2023 / 12:37 PM EDT

Updated: May 15, 2023 / 05:45 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — The Metropolitan Police Department said on Twitter Monday that it was continuing to offer free steering wheel locks to Kia and Hyundai owners.

MPD began offering the wheel locks starting in February 2023 throughout the district.

The wheel locks are to prevent the theft of 2011-2021 Kia and Hyundai vehicles due to their lack of an anti-theft system known as an “Engine Immobilizer”.

A group of attorneys general, including D.C.’s Brian Schwalb and Maryland’s Anthony Brown, signed a letter asking for the models to be recalled as a result of this oversight.

“This is a national issue and it’s a real public safety issue, and it’s one that’s also hitting hard in the District,” said Adam Teitelbaum, who serves as the Director of the D.C. Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Office.

“These vehicles are being stolen but they’re also being used in other crimes. They’re being used for joyrides and reckless driving, and that’s an issue that we need to address, and through this letter, we’re trying to accomplish that goal,” Teitelbaum told DC News Now Thursday, April 20.

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Police said that car thefts in the district were up 113% at the end of 2022.

MPD asked owners of these models to stop by one of their 7 MPD District main stations for a free steering wheel lock.

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