In the age of social media, teens want to go viral, and they’re willing to do anything to experience a taste of internet fame. This desire for acclaim led to the exponential surge in Kia and Hyundai vehicle thefts in 2023. All models produced by Kia and Hyundai after 2011 do not feature an immobilizer – a common theft deterrent mechanism used to disable the car. Vehicles not equipped with immobilizers are very easy to steal. All thieves have to do to get on the road is break open the steering column trim, remove the ignition cylinder, and turn a nub to start the car. According to viral videos, it’s possible to do this within a minute – presenting a big problem for Kia and Hyundai car owners.
Kia and Hyundai Problems: Car Theft Prevention
In 2021, videos began circulating on TikTok showing teens breaking into Kia and Hyundai motor vehicles and taking them for joy rides. The police were powerless to stop the crime wave, being that most of the youngsters were minors. As a result, the gangs responsible for starting the trend earned the moniker “The Kia Boys.”
Kia Boys – Mayhem, Destruction, & Death
The TikTok challenge of stealing Kias and Hyundais has become so viral and widespread that looking at the statistics is quite shocking.
- Some people have their car stolen and recovered two or three times on the same day.
- There are so many Kias and Hyundais in need of repairs due to the thieves damaging them that repairs can take up to six months due to backlogs on spares.
- Hyundai and Kia thefts increased 767% in 2021 in Chicago and are up 2,400% in Rochester, New York.
- Kias and Hyundais represent seven out of every ten vehicle thefts in Wisconsin, where the trend began.
- The stolen Kia’s and Hyundai frequently end up involved in other crimes.
How Hyundai & Kai Intend to Stop Vehicle Theft
So, what are the vehicle manufacturers doing to stop this rise in vehicle theft of Hyundai and Kia models? Kia and Hyundai recently announced they intend to include the recently developed theft-deterrent software in their vehicles. All vehicles without an engine immobilizer will receive the upgrade for free.
The new feature in the software update improves software logic, extending the alarm activation for 30 to 60 seconds. It also requires the key to be in the ignition before starting the car. All Hyundais and Kias rolling off the production line in the future will feature a sticker showing thieves the car is protected by vehicle security systems.
Hyundai and Kia will send the stickers and roll out their software update in phases, with an aim to complete the project within a year. The companies have also worked with local law enforcement agencies to hand out over 26,000 steering wheel locks to Kia and Hyundai owners in 12 states.
Both brands hope that by rethinking their vehicle security best practices, they can reduce vehicle theft and crime in major US cities. However, a large part of the recall involves participation from the consumer side, and we can expect some people to fail to get the update.
Time will tell if this initiative produces the expected results.
Additional Information: OPD has acquired steering wheel locks from Hyundai.
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