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Hyundai, Kia roll out free technology upgrade to curb nationwide theft epidemic

Thousands of Hyundais and Kias have been stolen across the nation and in the St. Louis region after a technology gap exploited on social media.

ST. LOUIS — Just one week after announcing they were “testing” anti-theft technology, Hyundai and Kia have announced that technology is now rolling out for free to millions of drivers affected by a nationwide theft epidemic ignited by social media challenges.

Both automakers are the focus of a class-action lawsuit claiming the vehicles were defective because certain models built before 2020 did not have an immobilizing device that would prevent the car from starting if keys were not near the vehicle.

“Kia has completed development of enhanced security software to restrict the unauthorized operation of vehicle ignition systems on certain models not equipped with an immobilizer. Kia has already started notifying owners about this free software upgrade and anticipates making it available to most owners of affected vehicles over the next few months,” according to a statement a KIA spokesperson sent to the I-Team Tuesday.

A Hyundai spokesman also sent the I-Team a statement Tuesday, which read, in part:

“The technology will be launched as a service campaign for a total of almost 4 million vehicles beginning on February 14, with the upgrade rolling out first to more than 1 million model year 2017-2020 Elantra, 2015-2019 Sonata and 2020-2021 Venue vehicles. The software upgrade is scheduled to be available for the remaining eligible affected vehicles by June 2023. The free upgrade will be performed by Hyundai dealers and will take less than one hour for installation. Following completion of the upgrade, each vehicle will be affixed with window decals to alert would-be thieves that the vehicle is equipped with enhanced anti-theft technology.”

As part of the statement from Hyundai, CEO Randy Parker explained the company is prioritizing the upgrade to owners and lessees of “our highest selling vehicles and those most targeted by thieves in order for dealers to service them first.”

The automaker also noted some 2011-2022 vehicles without engine immobilizers cannot accommodate the software upgrade, so Hyundai is “finalizing a program to reimburse them for their purchase of steering wheel locks.”

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, about 3.8 million Hyundais and 4.5 million Kias will get the update, which updates the theft alarm software logic to extend the length of the alarm sound from 30 seconds to one minute and requires the key to be in the ignition switch to turn the vehicle on.

Both automakers said they plan to continue to send steering wheel locks to local police departments for distribution to drivers as well.

In the City of St. Louis alone, police reported a 1,300% increase in Kia and Hyundai thefts from 2021 to 2022, as videos were published on social media that showed thieves how to break in and force the car to start within a matter of seconds using a USB cord.

The city threatened to sue the automakers last fall. However, spokesman Nick Dunne told the I-Team in January that there were no further developments to report since Mayor Tishaura Jones’ office sent a letter demanding the automakers recall their vehicles or face the city in court.

Other cities have seen similar spikes in thefts. Officials in Columbus, Ohio, and Seattle either have filed paperwork to take legal action or announced plans to do so in recent months.

The spike in thefts also led insurance companies to deny coverage of Hyundais or Kias.

Progressive and State Farm confirmed to 5 On Your Side that it would not insure the vehicles anymore.

Progressive sent a release late last month which read in part, “Due to the theft risk that some Hyundai and Kia vehicles present, in many cases it makes these vehicles difficult to insure.”

Here is the full statement from Kia:

“Kia has completed development of enhanced security software to restrict the unauthorized operation of vehicle ignition systems on certain models not equipped with an immobilizer. Kia has already started notifying owners about this free software upgrade and anticipates making it available to most owners of affected vehicles over the next few months.

"Kia also remains concerned about incidents of car theft targeting certain Kia models, encouraged in some cases by social media content promoting criminal conduct, and is committed to supporting law enforcement and owners in addressing these crimes. The company also continues to make steering wheel locks available at no cost through interested local law enforcement agencies, subject to available supply.

"Kia owners with questions may contact our Customer Care team directly at 1-800-333-4542 (4Kia). In addition, a special section of the Owner’s Portal at Kia.com has been published for owners to research software upgrade availability and order a steering wheel lock if applicable at https://owners.kia.com/us/en/kia-owner-portal.html/"

Here is the full statement from Hyundai:

"In response to increasing thefts targeting its 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.

"The technology will be launched as a service campaign for a total of almost 4 million vehicles beginning on February 14, with the upgrade rolling out first to more than 1 million model year 2017-2020 Elantra, 2015-2019 Sonata and 2020-2021 Venue vehicles. The software upgrade is scheduled to be available for the remaining eligible affected vehicles by June 2023 (see chart below). The free upgrade will be performed by Hyundai dealers and will take less than one hour for installation. Following completion of the upgrade, each vehicle will be affixed with window decals to alert would-be thieves that the vehicle is equipped with enhanced anti-theft technology.

"'Hyundai is committed to ensuring the quality and integrity of our products through continuous improvement and is pleased to provide affected customers with an additional theft deterrent through this software upgrade,' said Randy Parker, CEO, Hyundai Motor America. 'We have prioritized the upgrade’s availability for owners and lessees of our highest selling vehicles and those most targeted by thieves in order for dealers to service them first.'

"All Hyundai vehicles produced since November 2021 are equipped with an engine immobilizer as standard equipment. Hyundai is also providing free steering wheel locks to law enforcement agencies for distribution to local residents who own or lease affected models.

"Some 2011-2022 model year vehicles without engine immobilizers cannot accommodate the software upgrade. For these customers, Hyundai is finalizing a program to reimburse them for their purchase of steering wheel locks. Hyundai will provide these customers with more detail in the very near future.

Software Upgrade Details

"The software upgrade modifies certain vehicle control modules on Hyundai vehicles equipped with standard “turn-key-to-start” ignition systems. As a result, locking the doors with the key fob will set the factory alarm and activate an “ignition kill” feature so the vehicles cannot be started when subjected to the popularized theft mode. Customers must use the key fob to unlock their vehicles to deactivate the “ignition kill” feature.

"Hyundai is notifying customers about the anti-theft service campaign through multiple points of contact (e.g., mail, email, outbound phone contact and a dedicated website) with instructions to bring their vehicle to the nearest Hyundai dealership to have the free software installed. More information is available at www.hyundaiantitheft.com, where customers can input their vehicle’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to find out when it is eligible for the software upgrade.

Service Campaign Rollout Schedule:

Phase    1

Vehicle

2017-2020 Elantra

2015-2019 Sonata

2020-2021 Venue           

Software Availability

February 14, 2023

Phase 2

Vehicle:

2018-2022 Accent

2011-2016 Elantra

2021-2022 Elantra

2018-2020 Elantra GT

2011-2014 Genesis Coupe

2018-2022 Kona

2020-2021 Palisade

2013-2018 Santa Fe Sport

2013-2022 Santa Fe

2019 Santa Fe XL

2011-2014 Sonata

2011-2022 Tucson

2012-2017, 2019-2021 Veloster

Software availability:

June 2023

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