Secure Your Hyundai or Kia Against Theft
Kias and Hyundais have been at the top of car thieves’ lists after the Kia Boys challenge went viral due to a design flaw. Insurance companies have seen a huge uptick in claims from Kia and Hyundai owners for the past year, compared to three earlier years. Repair shops getting flooded with damaged Kias and Hyundai vehicles. Learn how you can protect your Hyundai or Kia against theft in this blog.
The issue with both South Korean brands share the same major engineering flaw since they’re part of the same company. Many Kias and Hyundais were not equipped with immobilizers which the vehicle could easily start with a flat head screwdriver and USB cable. Thieves would pull the plastic off column shroud enabling them to use the end of a USB cable to rotate a square tab and start the vehicle. The immobilizer prevents the vehicle from starting.
In recent news, suspected thieves are using handheld devices to steal a Kia’s key fob signal within 30 feet to unlock the vehicle. This process takes seconds for someone to break into a vehicle. The vehicles most at risk are Kias and Hyundais made between 2011 and 2022.
US law does not require automakers to equipment vehicles with immobilizers. Certain auto insurance companies have blacklisted most Kia and Hyundai models. The design flaw is believed to be a result of the brands cutting corners to keep costs low, according to experts.
Ways to Keep Your Vehicle Safe
There are two surefire options to deter would-be thieves from stealing your Kia or Hyundai:
- Invest in the Club or a steering wheel lock
- Drive a manual
Is Kia and Hyundai Offering Relief to Owners?
What happens if your Kia or Hyundai gets broken into? Will both brands do anything to help or even deter thieves? Yes.
Hyundai offers free anti-theft upgrades which is a software upgrade which some owners of the models impacted are still getting their vehicles broken into. They also distributed over 65,000 steering wheel locks.
3.8 million Hyundai and 4.5 million Kia vehicles are eligible for the software upgrade.
The Hyundai Motor Group has agreed to pay a $200 million class-action settlement with owners who had their vehicles stolen. The lawsuit claims both brands did not include immobilizers in 2011 to 2022 models – a standard feature in most vehicles preventing the engine from starting unless a key is present.
This security flaw encouraged people to participate in a viral TikTok “Kia Challenge” trend where thieves broke into Kias and Hyundais within 90 seconds.
The settlement funds were used to reimburse impacted owners.
Kia and Hyundai owners with models not compatible with the software upgrade are eligible to purchase another anti-theft device including a steering wheel lock for up to $300 that is reimbursed by Hyundai or Kia, under the settlement.
Approximately 9 million vehicles have been impacted by the increase in thefts across the United States. Many of which have been Hyundai Elantras, Sonatas and Kia Fortes and Souls, according to both brands.
What to Do If Your Vehicle Was Affected
There are a few steps you can take if your Kia or Hyundai was affected:
File a police report and save a copy of the report for your records
Contact your auto insurance provider
Order a steering wheel lock
Enter your VIN # on the Kia’s Website or Hyundai USA’s website for instructions and to see if you are eligible for the security update
Some auto insurance providers like State Farm and Progressive will no longer writer policies for certain models. If insurance refuses to cover theft or damage visit an auto parts recycler like My Auto Store. You will find replacement part though an auto parts recycler like My Auto Store. My Auto Store has parts for every make and model including Kia and Hyundai OEM parts that are a fraction of the cost compared to new. See what we have in stock or call our experts at 888-900-1545.
