Many people’s attention has been drawn to the Hyundai Kia Vehicle Theft TikTok trend in the past several months. The fad involves people uploading films of themselves stealing vehicles made by Hyundai and Kia, two well-known Korean automakers. The videos typically demonstrate how simple it is to steal the vehicles and point out weaknesses in the safety features.
However, it is crucial to highlight that stealing cars is unlawful and dangerous, and these movies should not be used as guidance or encouragement to commit such criminal crimes. Instead, the trend emphasizes the significance of automakers continually improving their security systems and drivers taking appropriate safety precautions.
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Hyundai Kia Car Theft Tiktok
In response to a spate of car thefts that police believe may be linked to a TikTok challenge that has resulted in at least 14 recorded wrecks and eight fatalities, Hyundai and Kia have released software patches to prevent such thefts. Millions of cars and trucks that are missing a crucial anti-theft device can get the updates for free because this security hole was exploited on social media and led to widespread vehicle theft.
The published software revises the logic of the theft alarm system, increasing the time that the alarm will sound from 30 seconds to one full minute and making it so that the key must be in the ignition before the car will start. The National Highway Traffic Safety Agency announced on Tuesday that the software update is available for about 3.8 million Hyundais and 4.5 million Kias.
On Tuesday, Hyundai announced that updates would begin for approximately 4 million vehicles, starting with 1 million Elantras, Sonatas, and Venues from model years 2017–2020. The software upgrade is planned to be ready for the remaining eligible vehicles by June. The CEO of Hyundai Motor America, Randy Parker, has stated that “we have prioritized the availability of the upgrade for owners and lessees of our highest selling vehicles and those most targeted by thieves” so that dealers may service them first.
Hyundai, Kia Improve Security After Tiktok Challenge Thefts
In September the Highway Loss Data Institute, a unit of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, discovered that Hyundais and Kias without immobilizers had a vehicle theft claim rate of 2.18 per 1,000 insured vehicle years. The overall rate for all businesses in the sector was 1.21 percent. Insuring a single car for a whole year is the same as insuring the car for 12 months.
The center compared automobiles from the years 2015 to 2019. Claims made for stolen vehicles in 2021 were analyzed. Hyundai claims that beginning in 2021, immobilizers will be installed in all new cars. At least 14 crashes and eight fatalities were reported after the TikTok challenge, which brought attention to the vehicles’ lack of an immobilizer. TikTok users will learn how to “hot-wire” a Kia or Hyundai using a USB cable and a screwdriver in this challenge.
Four teenagers were killed in a car crash in Buffalo, New York in October, and the police commissioner there has since speculated that the teens were participating in the TikTok challenge. According to Buffalo police, six youths were involved in a crash involving a speeding Kia. The car had been reported stolen.
The first of several waves of software updates for Hyundai and Kia vehicles will begin later this month. Hyundai will also supply vehicle owners with window stickers that serve as a warning to would-be thieves that the vehicle in question is equipped with anti-theft technology.
How Hyundai Responds To This Situation?
We had hoped that a large company like Hyundai or Kia would offer some free assistance with this problem, but instead, Hyundai has announced that they will be working with a third-party security agency called Compustar to offer a $170 anti-theft security kit that includes a kill switch, glass-break sensor, and alarm. But that’s not the final chapter.
In total, owners will have to fork over $500, consisting of the $170 cost of the kit plus $300 in additional aftermarket components and labor. One St. Louis car lot is taking matters into its own hands by retrofitting the impacted vehicles with plug-and-play Bluetooth immobilizer devices, which cost $99. One button press on a wireless key fob is all that’s needed to get the car going.
It’s a deterrent since it increases the level of protection already in place. You, the shopper, can avoid the likelihood of theft by taking these measures. If you’re looking to improve your car’s security, the first thing you should do is invest in a high-quality aftermarket wheel lock, and then a steering lock.
In Summation
Improved vehicle security is an important topic, and the Hyundai Kia Vehicle Stolen TikTok trend highlights this problem. Although the movies aim to be humorous, it is important to keep in mind that auto theft is a serious offense with far-reaching implications.
This trend should not be used to encourage criminal activity, but rather to bring attention to the issue and motivate automakers and vehicle owners to implement safeguards that will reduce the likelihood of theft. For more details on the software upgrade, Hyundai owners can call 800-633-5151, and Kia owners can call 800-333-4542.
