Solution to rising problem of stolen vehicles? Kia and Hyundai announce software update (2024)
Car manufacturers Kia and Hyundai announced Tuesday they will provide a theft deterrent software update for millions of their vehicles that lack an engine immobilizer. The update will require the key to be in the ignition switch to turn the vehicle on and the length of the alarm sound will be changed from 30 seconds to one minute.
Kia and Hyundai models have been targeted across the country following a TikTok social media challenge that encourages the stealing of these vehicles and shows viewers how to steal the vehicle without a key.
The vehicles being targeted are Kia models from 2011-21 and Hyundai models from 2015-21. Some auto insurance companies are refusing to insurethe vehicles, according to Indianapolis police. The models don't have electronic immobilizers, which confirms that the key belongs with that vehicle.
The rise of stolen Kias and Hyundais started in Milwaukee with a notorious car-theft group known as the "Kia Boys" because they primarily target Kias and Hyundais. The group learned how to easily steal the cars using nothing but a screwdriver and USB charging cord from watching videos online. The issue began impacting other cities, including Indianapolis as of late.
While thefts of vehicles in Indianapolis are down 12% in 2023, thefts of certain Kia and Hyundai models have increased this year, according to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.
In January, 19% of all vehicles stolen in the city were Kia or Hyundai models. For comparison, those vehicles only accounted for 4% of allstolen vehicles from August 2021 through January 2022.
According tothe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Kia and Hyundai will provide the software update free of charge, which will be handled in a phased approach. Hyundai also will provide customers with a window sticker alerting would-be thieves that the vehicle is equipped with anti-theft protection.
The upgrade modifies vehicle control modules on Hyundai vehicles that have standard “turn-key-to-start” ignition systems. Once the systems are upgraded, locking the doors with the key fob will set the factory alarm and activate an “ignition kill” feature so the vehicles can'tbe started when thieves try to take off with them.
Customers must use the key fob to unlock their vehicles and deactivate the ignition killfeature, Hyundai said.
Kia has also promised some customersenhanced security software that should be available over the next few months, the company said in a statement Tuesday.
Kiacars newer than 2011 and Hyundai cars newer than 2015 have been impacted.
According to Hyundai, all of the company's vehicles produced since November 2021 have an engine immobilizer. All of Kia's 2022 models have an immobilizer.
NHTSA urges owners of these vehicles to contact Hyundai (toll-free at800-633-5151) or Kia (toll-free at800-333-4542) for information on the free update.
How to protect your Kia and Hyundai from being stolen
Install quality video surveillance cameras and alarms
Install a GPS tracking device
Leave porch lights on
Call police regarding suspicious people
Lock all windows and doors
Never leave your car running
Establish relationships with neighbors and fellow business owners
Contact dealerships regarding anti-theft options for the vehicle
Keep information, such as the make, model, model year, license plate and Vehicle Identification Number accessible in the event your vehicle is stolen
IndyStar reporter Jake Allen contributed to this report.USA Today contributed to this report.
Contact Drake Bentley at (414) 391-5647 orDBentley1@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at@DrakeBentleyMJS.Contact Jake Allen at jake.allen@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jake_Allen19.
Solution to rising problem of stolen vehicles? Kia and Hyundai
Kia and Hyundai
The Hyundai Motor Group (HMG; IPA: [ˈhjəːndɛ]; stylized as HYUNDAI) is a South Korean chaebol (loosely similar to a multinational conglomerate but without a central holding company or ownership structure) headquartered in Seoul, South Korea.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Hyundai_Motor_Group
announce software update. Car manufacturers Kia and Hyundai announced Tuesday they will provide a theft deterrent software update for millions of their vehicles that lack an engine immobilizer.
Kia will install an ignition cylinder protector, which it says helps to reinforce the ignition cylinder body. The manufacturer says the modification should also stop would-be thieves from removing the ignition cylinder protector and ignition cover in the same ways promoted by the TikTok trend.
Kia and Hyundai said here's how the upgrade works: thieves breaking into a locked car trigger an extended alarm and shut the car down. “And the ignition system will basically go into default mode and will not operate the car for an extended period of time,” Bell said.
Hyundai and Kia issued a voluntary recall of affected vehicles in 2023, enabling owners to receive a free anti-theft software upgrade. My own car was a 2013 Hyundai Elantra and therefore qualified for the recall.
In response to increasing thefts targeting vehicles without push-button ignitions and immobilizing anti-theft devices in the United States, Hyundai is introducing a free anti-theft software upgrade to prevent the vehicles from starting during a method of theft popularized on TikTok and other social media channels.
You will receive a push notification from the Kia Access app on your smartphone. Additionally, Kia may send email communications. If you wish to review the details of recent updates, you can access the "Release Notes" section on the Over-the-Air Software Updates page.
More than 70% of Kia and Hyundai vehicles built in these years do not have an immobilizer system that prevents the engine from starting unless the correct key is used to start the car. 1 Without the immobilizer system, these vehicles can be stolen using common household items like a USB cord.
Improved Performance: Software updates can improve the performance of your car's engine and other electronic systems. The updates can optimize fuel consumption, improve acceleration, and enhance performance. Enhanced Safety: Software updates can also improve the safety of your car.
Notably, Kia models made six of the top 10 spots on the list. According to the data, the Kia Soul, Kia Forte and Kia Sportage were reported stolen over 21,000 times, over 16,000 times and over 15,700 times, respectively.
How can I tell if my Hyundai vehicle has an engine immobilizer? If your Hyundai vehicle has a push-button start or was produced after November 2021, it has an engine immobilizer.
Who is eligible to receive money from the Kia and Hyundai settlement? Those who bought or leased a Kia or Hyundai manufactured between 2011 and 2022 and then had their car stolen may be eligible. The suit is expected to cover about nine million vehicles, according to USA Today.
According to multiple class-action lawsuits filed last year, 2011-2021 model year Kias and Hyundais without immobilizers—identifiable by their keyed ignitions—are prime targets. Owners with push-button start needn't worry so much, as their vehicles came standard with this theft-prevention measure.
Hyundai, Kia owners face threat of theft due to social media challenge. Police are warning Hyundai and Kia owners about a social media challenge that encourages people to steal these car brands and post videos of their joyrides.
But the consumers, who have been dealing with this since 2021, won't receive any money until, at best, late this year. Kia and Hyundai are also offering a free update to help deter theft. But this isn't enough. As criminals know, the companies haven't fixed anywhere near the 8 million vehicles that came with this flaw.
Which cars can be stolen with a USB cable? Although many vehicles can be stolen by a competent and motivated enough thief, the models affected by the viral challenge include 2011-2021 Kias with twist-to-start ignition systems, as well as the following Hyundai models: 2018-2022 Accent. 2011-2022 Elantra.
Kia is also offering a free hardware modification for owners whose vehicles are not eligible for the software upgrade. This modification is an ignition cylinder protector, which attempts to combat theft by "reinforcing the ignition cylinder body and preventing its removal."
If you bought or leased certain 2010–2020 model year Kia vehicles, you may be eligible for benefits. The only way to receive certain reimbursem*nt and compensation in this Settlement is to file a Claim. Claim Forms must be submitted online via this website, via email, or postmarked no later than July 8, 2024.
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