Kia and Hyundai announce software update, said to deter theft

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.

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The vehicles being targeted are Kia models from 2011-21 and Hyundai models from 2015-21. Some auto insurance companies are refusing to insure the 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.

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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 all stolen vehicles from August 2021 through January 2022.

According to the 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.

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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't be started when thieves try to take off with them.

Customers must use the key fob to unlock their vehicles and deactivate the ignition kill feature, Hyundai said.

Kia has also promised some customers enhanced security software that should be available over the next few months, the company said in a statement Tuesday.

Kia cars newer than 2011 and Hyundai cars newer than 2015 have been impacted.

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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 at 800-633-5151) or Kia (toll-free at 800-333-4542) for information on the free update.

Indianapolis police shared the following tips:

IndyStar reporter Jake Allen contributed to this report. USA Today contributed to this report.

Contact Drake Bentley at (414) 391-5647 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @DrakeBentleyMJS. Contact Jake Allen at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @Jake_Allen19.