Kia and Hyundai theft stories continue to make headlines after being “challenged” on social media. Influenced by a group calling itself the “Kia Boyz”, his bored teens across the country have contributed to a spike in thefts of certain Hyundai and Kia models. A video shared on social media platforms shows how quickly and easily it can be achieved. There’s a grain of truth to it, but the reality is that Hyundai and Kia sold these cars with limited security features in order to keep their prices lower than their competitors. I was.
So why do these cars look so easy to boost?
Can a thief use a USB charger to steal a car?
Technically, yes. Stories are circulating about how Kia Boyz used his USB to steal cars. But carrying around a charger is just a bit of an inconvenience for would-be joyriders.A USB Type-A cable (the chunky old type you see everywhere) has become a handy tool for turning the ignition switch. It might be, but anything a thief can plug tightly into a receptacle and turn can get the job done. Done — probably a driver.
Strictly speaking, these cars are not defective. Their main drawback is that they are cheap. The individual model in question was sold without an ignition immobilizer, a component that prevents the car from being easily stolen. The technology isn’t inherently expensive, but it’s one of the things Hyundai and Kia cut back to make their base models a little cheaper (and thus encourage customers to buy all the way to the next trim).
What does an ignition immobilizer do?
The ignition immobilizer works in conjunction with the key’s electronic chip. Turning the key or pressing the ‘start’ button on the car results in two ‘handshakes’ for an extra layer of security. If the key’s electronic signature does not match what the immobilizer expects, the car will not start. flat Immobilizers can be defeated rather easily by determined thievesit’s not worth the hassle and potential risk of imprisonment to go through so much hassle just to get in the car for a fun drive.
Does my car have an immobilizer?
If you own a car that was built in the last five years and it wasn’t made by Hyundai or Kia, the answer is almost certainly yes. If your car has a remote fob, you could be protected.As of 2016, over 95% of all he vehicles are sold with some kind of ignition immobilizer. They became popular in his mid-to-late 2000s and now work closely with keyless entry systems that require a digital handshake with some degree of encryption.
Can Hyundai and Kia fix these cars from being stolen?
Simply put, yes, you can install an engine immobilizer on a car that was sold without an engine immobilizer. In fact, Hyundai is rolling out an update that addresses the issue. As of February 14, 2023, a fix is available. 2017-2020 Elantra, 2015-2019 Sonata and 2020-2021 VenueHyundai plans to release a similar update in June for the remaining vehicles in its lineup affected by this issue.
Here are the remaining Hyundais sold in theft-vulnerable variants:
- 2018-2022 accent
- 2011-2016 elantra
- 2021-2022 elantra
- 2018-2020 Elantra GT
- 2011-2014 genesis coupe
- 2018-2022 Kona
- 2020-2021 fence
- 2013-2018 santa fe sports
- 2013-2022 Santa Fe
- 2019 Santa Fe XL
- 2011-2014 Sonata
- 2011-2022 Tucson
- 2012-2017 Veloster
- 2019-2021 Veloster
As of now, there are no similar remedies available from Kia.
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