TikTok Challenge Leads to Car Theft for Kia and Hyundai Owners

A TikTok challenge started by the “Kia Boys” highlighted a vulnerability allowing thieves to hot-wire Kia and Hyundai vehicles. Engadget reports that at least 14 crashes and eight deaths are linked to the thefts.

Kia and Hyundai are paying out a settlement of $200 million to compensate theft victims. Meanwhile, car owners and cities are suing the manufacturers, claiming that manufacturers did not add anti-theft software quickly enough to protect car owners and residents.

One of the best ways to protect your car is with steering wheel locks. The locks ensure that only you can access the steering wheel and move the vehicle; however, it doesn’t prevent thieves from breaking into your car and inflicting damage on the vehicle. It’s also important to always lock your car and install a smart car alarm to prevent car theft.

While the Kia and Hyundai car thefts have been ongoing since the start of 2022, the manufacturers and law enforcement officials hope the software upgrades will be a final deterrent to thieves.

Car thefts have hit major cities and towns across the U.S. In Rochester, New York, the city police department distributed steering wheel locks to people with impacted cars.   

“The number [of car thefts] is starting to trend down, and I’m hopeful we can continue that trend down to zero, whether that’s through these locks, public awareness, or software updates [made by the companies] to bring these thefts to an end,” Lt. Bello told Rochester First.

Kia and Hyundai introduced an anti-theft software upgrade to help over a million vehicles (including Elantras, Sonatas, and Venues). Car owners must upgrade their car software as soon as possible.

However, as recently as this week, Kia and Hyundai car owners still faced thefts in Detroit and Austin, among other metro areas.

If your car has been broken into or stolen, it’s crucial to assess and record the damage and notify the police. Law enforcement officials across the country are aware of and monitoring the Kia and Hyundai vulnerabilities and will be able to assist you. 

From there, file a claim with your insurance company and look into ways to protect your vehicle moving forward with a steering wheel lock or car alarm.

Over 9 million vehicles and two dozen makes and models are affected by the TikTok challenge. Last week, Kia and Hyundai released more information on the affected vehicles and settlement.

If your vehicle is impacted, look into updating your software immediately and look into securing your vehicle.

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