- Hundreds of thousands of Hyundai and Kia vehicles could be simply stolen—and thousands have—due to a selection not to install engine immobilizers when they have been built.
- Popular TikTok videos challenged folks to try out to steal a vehicle like this, which has led to all types of legal and economic problems for vehicle owners and the two automakers.
- Four million Hyundai vehicles—affected Elantras, Sonatas, and Venues—can get a new application correct that introduces a workaround immobilizer setting up today. Other impacted Hyundais and Kias will get their change in the coming months.
Thousands and thousands of Hyundai house owners are about to pay a stop by to their neighborhood Hyundai dealership many thanks to a bunch of TikTok movies.
The backstory, if you do not remember, is that an individual figured out that some older Kia and Hyundai styles designed with a normal vital ignition, so not a drive-button begin, were being incredibly simple to steal and designed a TikTok “Kia Obstacle” encouraging other individuals to check out it. The challenge started in Milwaukee ahead of spreading to other parts of the U.S. and forcing Hyundai and Kia to answer.
Hyundai began putting in an engine immobilizer in all of its cars in November 2021. The firm’s initially significant answer for current house owners was a $170 stability kit with an alarm and just one vital ingredient that the two automakers didn’t to begin with establish into the automobiles: a destroy swap. The City of Seattle sued the automakers previously this year, accusing them of failing to install sufficient anti-theft technology, specifically that immobilizer, in the affected vehicles. Kia did not offer the safety package but did join Hyundai in delivering steering wheel locks at no expense to any influenced proprietors in partnership with nearby legislation enforcement agencies.
Specs and Specifics on 2023 Versions
Now, Kia and Hyundai declared a no cost, software package-primarily based take care of for their thief magnets. Kia explained the new improved protection computer software will “prohibit the unauthorized procedure of vehicle ignition techniques on sure models not geared up with an immobilizer.” For its component, Hyundai explained the update makes it so that a important fob is necessary to deactivate the eliminate swap. With no the deal with, the motor vehicle could be yours when you have smashed the home windows. Hyundai explained the take care of would just take dealers fewer than an hour to put in. As a bonus to individuals possible window smashers, just about every mounted auto “will be affixed with window decals to alert would-be robbers that the vehicle is geared up with increased anti-theft technology,” Hyundai mentioned.
2017 Hyundai Elantra Activity.
Auto and Driver
Not all 2011 to 2022 product year Hyundais without the need of an engine immobilizer will be capable to accommodate the software program upgrade. We hope the homeowners of these autos appreciate their steering wheel locks.
Kia explained its computer software would be accessible in the subsequent number of months. Kia homeowners should check out the Kia Owner’s Portal or simply call 800–333–4542 to see if their automobile is suitable for the correct.
Hyundai has a two-section launch routine for the new software package repair, starting off with the 2017-2020 design calendar year Elantra, 2015 to 2019 Sonata, and 2020 and 2021 Location (that is a 2020 Venue pictured at best). Hyundai mentioned this classification of its greatest-marketing versions involves just about four million autos. The resolve for these vehicles is offered commencing nowadays. Computer software for other affected styles will be offered in June. Hyundai owners must pay a visit to the Hyundai Anti-Theft web page (very a identify) to established up a repair service, and the automaker is also achieving out to impacted owners.