Hyundai, Kia to Address Theft Vulnerability by Upgrading 4 Million Vehicles
Key Points
- Wave of thefts of Hyundai and Kia vehicles driven by social media
- The two brands already developed a software update to protect millions of cars and SUVs.
- Expanded hardware fix reinforces parts in the steering column.
Slowly, Hyundai and Kia are emerging from the corporate nightmare that started in 2021. That’s when TikTok users started posting videos of themselves exploiting a vulnerability to quickly hotwire the brands’ vehicles, leading to theft rates skyrocketing by more than 800% in some cities. Since then, the South Korean brands have developed a software upgrade to address the vulnerability in more than 8 million vehicles and a hardware fix for more than 600,000 others.
Related: Hyundai Offers Anti-Theft Hardware Solution for Software-Ineligible Vehicles
Now, Hyundai and Kia have agreed to install the hardware on more than 4 million vehicles from model-years 2011-22, including some that were previously only eligible for the software fix. The solution in question is a zinc-reinforced sleeve that protects the ignition cylinder, the part on the steering column the driver inserts the key into to start the vehicle. By preventing removal of the ignition cylinder, the sleeve protects against the method of hotwiring depicted in the social media posts that have fueled the wave of thefts. Owners will be notified in early 2026 of their vehicles’ eligibility for the cylinder reinforcement and will have until March 2027 to get the protector installed at a dealership.
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Under the terms of this latest settlement, Hyundai and Kia also reiterated their commitment to install electronic immobilizers, which prevent the vehicle from being started without a key, in all new vehicles sold in the U.S. (Hyundai made immobilizers standard as of November 2021, and Kia began fitting them to its entire lineup for the 2022 model year.)
Lastly, the brands agreed to pay up to $9 million to consumers and to the 35 states that brought suit against them to help cover the costs of the investigation. Hyundai and Kia estimate that installing the ignition cylinder protectors could cost them more than $500 million; that’s on top of $200 million already paid to owners whose vehicles were stolen or who otherwise suffered damages as a result of the thefts.
Read More Hyundai and Kia News From Cars.com:
- Hyundai, Kia Anti-Theft Measures Working, Experts Find
- Hyundai Enhances Vehicle Security With Free Anti-Theft Software Upgrade
- Kia Introduces Free Anti-Theft Device for Vehicles Ineligible for Software Update
- IIHS: Here Are the Vehicles Most, Least Likely to Be Stolen
- More Hyundai News
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