Hyundais, Kias are easy targets amid boom in vehicle thefts (2023)

FAQs

Why are so many Kias and Hyundais being stolen? ›

Kia vehicles from model year 2011 to 2021 and Hyundai vehicles from model year 2016 to 2021 are especially vulnerable due to the absence of anti-theft devices that have long been standard for other automakers.

Hyundai and Kia vehicles have been targets of car thieves in recent months because it's incredibly easy to do so, and thieves are sharing how-to videos on social media. The raft of thefts is so bad that an average of six Hyundai vehicles are stolen each day just in Milwaukee, according to local news station WTMJ.

The "Kia Boyz" challenge, as its called, has thieves targeting certain models of 2010-2021 vehicles by makers Kia and Hyundai that use a mechanical key for access instead of a key fob or push-to-start access. The thieves are reportedly taking advantage of a design flaw in those vehicles.

The TikTok trend teaches people how to steal late model Hyundai and Kia's, but a local mechanic said anyone who has a push-start car is also a target. “Thieves have gotten smart.

In 2022, the New Orleans Police Department says 465 Hyundais manufactured between 2015-2021 and 389 Kias made between 2010-2021 have been stolen. Police say the models all have mechanical-keyed ignitions and lack an engine immobilizer. But it's not just New Orleans that is feeling the effects of the immobilizer issue.

The list of affected Hyundai models includes certain 2016-21 model year Accent, Elantra, Elantra GT, Sonata, Veloster, Venue, Kona, Tucson, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Sport, Santa Fe XL and Palisade vehicles that use a steel key and do not have an engine immobilizer.

Some Hyundai and Kia cars and SUVs are missing a “key” anti-theft device, and thieves know. An insurance industry group says these cars are stolen at nearly twice the rate of the rest of the auto industry because their keys lack computer chips for theft “immobilizer” systems.

The top 10 most stolen vehicles of 2020

2004 Chevrolet full size pick-up. 2000 Honda Civic. 1997 Honda Accord. 2019 Toyota Camry.

How do you prevent a car theft in Hyundai? ›

If you have a 2016-2021 Hyundai or 2011-2021 Kia model that is started by a key, consider taking the following preventive measures: Purchase a steering wheel lock. These are relatively inexpensive and are an excellent visual deterrent to thieves. Purchase a security kit recently released by Hyundai.

What To Do…For Now. Meanwhile, steering wheel locks can prevent the Tik Tok-fueled thefts. Hyundai and Kia have distributed locks to police departments to offer a free deterrent to Hyundai and Kia owners. Hyundai's newly available sensor kit is supposed to target how the thieves are gaining access to the cars.

The majority of Kia vehicles in the United States are equipped with a key fob and “push-button-to-start” system, making them more difficult to steal. All 2022 Kia models and trims have an immobilizer applied either at the beginning of the model year or as a running change.

Hyundai has released a glass break sensor security kit that targets the method of entry used by thieves to break into these vehicles. These kits are available for purchase and installation at Hyundai dealerships and Compustar authorized installers across the country.

Can cars with start buttons be stolen? Yes, thieves may use the methods we listed above to steal keyless cars with start buttons, including signal relaying, signal jamming and key programming.

Due in part to the ease with which these vehicles can be stolen, the 2019-21 Hyundai Accent is one of the most frequently stolen vehicles, according to a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Highway Loss Data Institute.

Numerous Hyundai models are on Consumer Reports' “recommended” list, for good all-around scores for reliability, customer satisfaction, safety features and road test scores. Hyundai also rates well for reliability with RepairPal.

Are Hyundais still being stolen? ›

These Hyundai and Kia vehicles are twice as likely to be stolen as other cars. Hyundai and Kia vehicles from model years 2015 through 2019 are nearly twice as likely to be stolen as other vehicles from the same period, according to a new report.

The truth is that you can file a lawsuit for just about any theft.

What is the Hyundai controversy all about? On February 5, a handle by the name Hyundai Pakistan Official sent out a tweet which called for “remembering the sacrifices” of people in Kashmir and asked for people to stand in support as these people continued to “struggle for freedom”.

The likes of the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes E-class and Land Rover Discovery were also among the most stolen cars, underscoring the extent to which thieves are targeting high-end luxury vehicles with keyless entry systems.

Where do you put your car keys at night? Putting the keys near you at night, rather than the front door, is best. Keyless fobs should be placed into an RFID/Faraday box.

Key Facts. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) 2021 Hot Spots Report and NICB's Hot Wheels Report. Bakersfield, CA, tops the list for the third year in a row, with the highest automobile theft rate in the U.S., according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau 2021 Hot Spots Report.

Colorado, with the highest rate of motor vehicle theft in the nation, is considered to be a 'Hot-Spot ' by insurance companies.

The Car Finder feature is accessed through the MyHyundai with Bluelink Mobile App. This feature allows you to locate your vehicle on a map if your GPS signal is within a 1-mile radius of your vehicle, and gives you the ability to save your vehicle's location for future reference.

What is the flaw with Hyundai engines? ›

Hyundai admitted that issues in the manufacturing process of the engines left debris of a metal nature around the engine's crankshaft, which caused oil flow issues. The metal mixed with the oil and caused damage or failure of the connecting rod bearings.

Typically, luxury vehicles and sports cars rank highest on the “most-stolen” list, but Hyundai and Kia thefts have been on the rise, rivaling pricier models in recent years.

Keyless entry systems are a great innovation. Yet, they're not perfect. The technology in keyless entry systems actually makes it easier than ever to steal a car. Back in the old days, you needed to either obtain a key or be able to access a vehicle and hotwire it if you wanted to steal a car.

Prevent car theft by wrapping your car key fob in foil. Yes, that's right — a piece of tinfoil can stop your car from getting stolen. Key fobs might be convenient, but there's a security risk associated with them. Thieves can use devices that will amplify fob signals to cars or copy the code to get into a vehicle.

Steering wheel locks are effective at deterring thieves who don't have a power drill. Given that any determined thief is likely to carry such a tool, a steering wheel lock is not a perfect anti-theft device.

Car thieves, mostly teenagers target Kia and Hyundai vehicles because of their security shortcomings. This trend started first in the streets of Milwaukee, where a teen group named "Kia Boyz" started breaking into the car's security systems and causing damage to public and private properties.

Hyundai and Kia wouldn't provide the model years that don't have the immobilizers but Forbes reports models affected include 2016-2021 Hyundai Accent, Elantra, Elantra GT, Sonata, Veloster, Venue, Kona, Tucson, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Sport, Santa Fe XL and Palisade as well as 2011-2021 Kias that use a key to start the ...

Thieves will steal anything valuable, but the most common items stolen from cars tend to be electronics, personal information, and accessories.

How are thieves stealing Kias and Hyundais? ›

And the automakers say they're not to blame for any of it. Thieves have learned how to steal the cars using USB cords in ignitions built without immobilizers, which prevent engines from starting without computer chips in keys. In St. Louis County alone, almost 1,000 Kias and Hyundais have been stolen so far this year.

What insurance companies are saying. Money reached out to eight of the largest car insurance companies in the U.S. for comment on their response to the rise in thefts of Kia and Hyundai cars — specifically, many of the 2011 to 2021 models including Kia Souls and Sorentos and Hyundai Tucsons and Elantras.

The controversy

Kia Motors and Hyundai too posted on similar lines. The companies were called out for partisan meddling in the geopolitics of the region. Additionally, Twitter users urged boycotting their products.

Many 2015-19 Hyundai and Kia vehicles lack electronic immobilizers that prevent thieves from simply breaking in and bypassing the ignition. The feature is standard equipment on nearly all vehicles of that vintage made by other manufacturers.

The majority of Kia vehicles in the United States are equipped with a key fob and “push-button-to-start” system, making them more difficult to steal. All 2022 Kia models and trims have an immobilizer applied either at the beginning of the model year or as a running change.

ST. LOUIS – As the number of stolen Kia and Hyundai vehicles has increased, new technology is trying to deter thieves before they steal your vehicle. With just a press of a button, a new device called the “Bluetooth Interrupter” stops thieves in their tracks.

The Kia Sportage is one of the most-stolen vehicles right now. The Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) compiles a list of the most-stolen vehicles.

Is Kia better quality than Hyundai? ›

Hyundai Reliability — According to the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, Kia was the highest-ranking manufacturer for reliability in the US, with the least amount of issues per 100 vehicles. Hyundai is close, winning the bronze, but for the current model year, Kia takes the gold medal!

Hyundai reliability ratings from J.D Power reveals a clear winner: Kia. In fact, Kia beat out all other automakers in 2022 with a score of 145 PP100 (Problems per 100 Vehicles). Hyundai rounds out the top three with a score of 148 PP100.

So, the verdict is in – while Kia and Hyundai offer similar vehicles, Kia models offer better value and better quality, with bolder styling and a more dynamic driving experience. Simply put, Kia vehicles are all-around better vehicles, no matter what you value most in your car.