Between 2020 and 2023, Hyundai and Kia vehicle thefts rose over 1,000%. Why is this? Over a dozen vehicle models produced by Kia and Hyundai from 2011-2022 were made without an anti-theft device called an immobilizer. An immobilizer is a security device that prevents the vehicle from being started without the correct key fob by sending a signal from the car to the key fob. If the key fob signals back with the correct signal, the vehicle is permitted to start. If the vehicle does not recognize the key fob, the immobilizer prevents the vehicle’s computer from beginning the ignition process.
The problem with this is that criminals, mostly teenagers, discovered that these cars were not equipped with immobilizers and started stealing them by simply inserting something that wasn’t the key and starting the car. Improvisations were made by the owners of these vehicles such as purchasing a wheel lock, anti-theft decals, and window etching to deter thieves. As of 2024, the Hyundai Elantra was the most stolen vehicle in the U.S., according to FOX59 news. Additionally, Kias and Hyundais make up 60% of the year’s top 10 most stolen cars.
Kia models vulnerable to theft include Sportage (2011-2022), Optima (2020), Sorento (2011-2022), Forte (2011-2021), Soul (2020-2022), Rio (2012-2021), Sedona (2011-2021), and Seltos (2021-2022). Hyundai models most vulnerable include Accent (2018-2022), Elantra (2011-2022), Elantra GT (2013-2020), Genesis Coupe (2013-2014), Kona (2018-2022), Palisade (2020-2021), Santa Fe (2013-2022), Santa Fe Sport (2013-2018), Santa Fe XL (2019), Sonata (2011-2019), Tucson (2011-2022), Venue (2020-2021), Veloster (2012-2017, 2019-2021). These models qualify for a security upgrade. You can check eligibility by entering your car’s VIN on the Hyundai or KIA website.
In 2023, Kia and Hyundai released a voluntary software update to any model made without an immobilizer and with no charge. The software update made it so the break-in alarm on the vehicle would sound for 1 minute instead of 30 seconds to deter auto thieves. It also was supposed to make it so the car would not start if the key fob was not nearby to prevent thieves from driving away. As an addition, Kia and Hyundai also send out window stickers to put in your car window letting thieves know the vehicle had the theft prevention update. Many thought after the update, their vehicle would be safe from theft. This was not the case. Even after the attempts by Kia and Hyundai, the cars were still easily takeable due to the same flaw.
To add insult to injury, insurance rates for these vehicles are recorded to be 55% higher than the average car payment in America according to insurance investigators. This is due to the high theft rates of Kias and Hyundais. In fact, Kias and Hyundais without an immobilizer even after the security update are declared uninsurable by multiple national insurance companies including Progressive, Allstate, State Farm, Travelers, and Liberty Mutual. These insurance companies refuse to insure these vehicles.
Believe it or not, social media played a large role in increasing the theft rates of Kias and Hyundais. Specifically, on TikTok, thousands of videos spread the so-called “Kia Boyz” trend, and it typically involves younger people aged 11-18 simply stealing cars and taking them for a joyride. A “trend” that consists of literally committing a felony. It was as simple as using a flathead screwdriver and a USB charger cable to commit auto theft, which is why insurance companies believed they would be losing money by insuring these cars.
Kia and Hyundai weren’t out of the water yet as they were hit with a class-action lawsuit titled *In re: Kia Hyundai Vehicle Theft Marketing, Sales Practices, and Products Liability Litigation* that was held in California Federal Court. According to CBS, this lawsuit forced the Korean automakers Kia and Hyundai to settle for $200 Million to go to those affected by auto thefts. Owners of eligible vehicles received up to $250 for lost income or childcare costs during the Software Upgrade, up to $50 for a steering wheel lock, and up to $350 per crucial fob for OEM-issued key fobs (limited to two per vehicle).
More attempts to prevent theft were made by the companies, such as installing a reinforced ignition cylinder to deter thieves from snapping it off and starting the car. On top of that, their new software equipped the vehicle with a glass-break sensor that sets off the car alarm for 1 minute and immobilizes the car. Though this fix is effective and obtainable, car owners would be charged a $170 fee to get the features installed. Following the installation fee, this option was unpopular.
By 2022, only about 84% of Kia and Hyundai vehicles were made with an immobilizer compared to the average of 96% of other manufacturers. Their final fix to prevent any new cars they produced from being stolen was making their cars with a push-to-start instead of the typical key ignition. This change also made it so the car would not unlock or start if the key was not detected inside the vehicle. After 2021, Kia and Hyundai started creating their vehicles with immobilizers, but this doesn’t change the past as their older models are still very vulnerable to theft.
