What is the Fix We Need for Kia Thefts?

A social media trend sweeping over popular platforms like Tick Tock and Instagram in early 2022 has resulted in a massive uptick in Hyundai and Kia thefts over the past two years. In New York, a reported 966 Hyundai and Kia models were stolen as of April 30th — a whopping seven times higher than the same time in 2022.

Immature thieves, many of whom are teens and young adults, were able to bypass an ignition switch due to a lack of an engine immobilizer on certain Kia and Hyundai models with everyday tools like a USB head charger. Largely propelled by Covid lockdowns, these young amateur thieves were able to successfully steal these vehicles and then documented their escapade on social media platforms.

While many of these instances were in the name of rebellious teenage behavior, the outcomes often came with serious consequences. Impacted owners were left with hundreds and in some cases thousands of dollars in damage, while in other cases resulted in the death of these inexperienced drivers. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, at least 14 crashes and eight deaths have occurred over the past two years because of stolen vehicles. On October 24th, 2022, four Buffalo, New York teens were killed after stealing a Kia and crashing into a wall after the teen driver lost control of the vehicle.

Amid the chaos, Hyundai and Kia have been quick to respond and have quickly taken action to repair the vulnerability and stop the thefts.

Hyundai and Kia Launch Service Campaign

After months of stolen vehicle reports, the automakers announced a service campaign in early February as a way to bring awareness to a software update that was rolled out to stop the thefts. The automakers announced that they would provide the service update free of charge to impacted vehicle owners and those who could be susceptible to car theft. As part of the software update, the theft alarm sound was extended from thirty seconds to a minute and also required the key to be in the ignition in order for the vehicle to turn on.

Hyundai has also provided window stickers to alert would-be thieves that the vehicle has undergone a software update and is equipped with anti-theft protection. These mitigation tools were the first in a multi-phase rollout designed to address the PR nightmare.

Continued Work with Law Enforcement

A rise in theft across the nation, particularly in metropolitan areas like Washington D.C. and Chicago quickly sparked frustration among Hyundai and Kia owners. The overwhelming uptick in auto theft also prompted increased communication between law enforcement departments and the automakers.

Both automakers partnered with police departments across the nation and have committed to providing support in the form of steering wheel locks to drivers who needed them while they waited for the software rollout. Over 26,000 steering wheel locks across at least 12 states have been issued to impacted owners. Drivers interested in a wheel lock, simply need to contact their local law enforcement department to get situated with one.

Hyundai and Kia Continue to Monitor Vehicle Thefts

As the automakers continue to bring awareness to the software update and other mitigation steps, Hyundai and Kia owners have been able to better protect their vehicles and the latest efforts appear to be working. In the meantime, both owners and law enforcement officers are on higher alert which is helping to keep would-be thieves at bay. If you’ve got questions about keeping your vehicle safe, visit your local Hyundai or Kia dealer to learn more.