Hyundai and Kia are taking action to improve their vehicles’ security in response to a widespread social media theft challenge that puts millions of their cars. The manufacturers have developed theft prevention software, offering it free of charge to owners of vehicles lacking an immobilizer.
Approximately 3.8 million Hyundai’s and 4.5 million Kia’s are at risk of car theft on the social media challenge.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) urges at-risk vehicle owners to contact the manufacturers for information on the free update.
For Hyundai vehicles, call toll-free at 800-633-5151, and for Kia vehicles, call toll-free at 800-333-4542.
How the New Software Enhances Theft Prevention: The updated software modifies the theft alarm logic, extending the alarm sound duration from 30 seconds to one minute. Additionally, it mandates the key to be in the ignition switch to start the vehicle.
This initiative addresses a TikTok social media challenge that has led to 14 reported crashes and eight fatalities nationwide.
Hyundai goes further by providing customers with window stickers alerting potential thieves to the vehicle’s anti-theft protection. Stickers will be sent out alongside software updates in a phased approach starting later this month, with subsequent phases over the next several months.
Kia is also implementing its free software updates in phases, beginning later this month and continuing over the next several months.
Simultaneously, both companies have collaborated with law enforcement agencies, distributing over 26,000 steering wheel locks since November 2022 to 77 law enforcement agencies across 12 states.
NHTSA encourages concerned vehicle owners to contact local law enforcement to check for the availability of steering wheel locks.
Source: NHTSA
