Hyundai Selling $170 Kit Meant to Foil Viral Thefts
Following a surge in thefts of many of its vehicles, which are often recorded and shared by the thieves on various social media platforms, Hyundai is selling a $170 security kit it hopes will help prevent future thefts — or at least make them more difficult. The problem stems from many of the automaker’s late-model vehicles with keyed ignition systems lacking an engine immobilizer.
Related: These Vehicles Are Most Vulnerable to Theft, Says IIHS
The kit will cost $170, but installation costs will vary based on dealer location, a Hyundai spokesperson told Automotive News. Automotive News also reports that an attorney for plaintiffs in a class-action lawsuit filed against Hyundai estimated the installation cost at roughly $500.
Affected Hyundai models include certain 2016-21 examples of the Accent, Elantra, Elantra GT, Kona, Palisade, Santa Fe, Sante Fe Sport, Santa Fe XL, Sonata, Tucson, Veloster and Venue. All affected vehicles both use a steel key and lack an engine immobilizer. Hyundai says it is also working on a software update for the first half of 2023 that should better protect its cars.
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. Similar models from Kia, Hyundai’s parent-company sibling, are also affected — the Rio and Sportage also made the HLDI list — though that automaker has yet to announce any fixes.
More From Cars.com:
- What’s Bidirectional Charging and Which EVs Offer It?
- Best Car Features for Tailgating in 2022
- Here Are the 11 Cheapest Electric Vehicles You Can Buy
- IIHS: Pedestrian Detection Systems in Most Mid-Size Vehicles Fail After Dark
- 2022 J.D. Power Tech Experience Index: Hyundai Dominates, Overall Satisfaction Dwindles
Related Video:
Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.
