Hyundai and Kia Address Car Theft Crisis with New Solutions

Theft crimes targeting Hyundai and Kia have become a trend two years ago
It hasn’t still stopped

“Kia Boys” became a trend in the United States two years ago. This new term refers to teenagers’ criminal activities targeting Hyundai and Kia’s weak security level. While the theft victims filed a class action lawsuit, Hyundai and Kia Motors eventually paid about $226 million to compensate the victims.

This is because the immobilizer, which controls ignition by assigning a special unique password to each key to prevent car theft, was missing from exported vehicles. Hyundai also took steps to address the controversy, saying that all cars produced after November 1, 2021, are equipped with an immobilizer.

Stealing a car in seconds
Prevented by wheel locking device

Two years have passed since the Kia Boys became controversial. However, it is known that theft crimes targeting vehicles without immobilizers are still occurring, which is becoming a social problem in the U.S. The Port St. Lucie Police Department in Florida has provided steering wheel locks to prevent teenagers from stealing and driving Hyundai and Kia cars, which can be easily started by hacking.

It became a game among teenagers because they could easily steal a car within only seconds. Still, due to inexperience in driving, people crashed or abandoned their cars on the side of the road with the doors open, causing significant damage to car owners. An individual security device will be installed to lock the steering wheel and avoid driving completely to prevent such a situation.

High crime rates in the U.S.
Theft prevention update

Even if the steering wheel is locked, there are concerns about people breaking windows or stealing items inside. Still, since the car cannot be removed entirely, it is being presented as a temporary supplement. However, to receive a locking device from the police, drivers must own a Hyundai or Kia model vulnerable to hacking because it is not equipped with an immobilizer.

Hyundai and Kia recommend installing anti-theft updates for drivers with models vulnerable to theft. Hacking was prevented through software updates, and stickers were distributed indicating that the vehicle had already been updated. However, not all vehicles can receive software updates, and even after the software update has been applied, criminal activities targeting Hyundai and Kia models are still considered extreme.

Hyundai and Kia targeted
No care about the security lock

Thieves have also targeted vehicles produced after November 2021 and equipped with immobilizers because they are Hyundai and Kia. As the image of being vulnerable to theft has become stronger, it is known that thieves are targeting the brand rather than the vehicle model. Car owners said that the Kia Boys are already in a state of madness and have no choice but to minimize damage by installing as many safety devices as possible.