Kia and Hyundai theft stories continue on to make headlines in the wake of a social media “problem.” Spurred on by the impact of a group contacting alone the “Kia Boyz,” bored teenagers throughout the place have contributed to the speedy rise in thefts of certain Hyundai and Kia types. Videos shared on social media platforms display how swiftly and merely it can be accomplished, with some suggesting that it is the fault of house owners who leave guiding their digital components. When you will find a kernel of truth of the matter to that, the actuality is that Hyundai and Kia sold these automobiles with confined protection characteristics in order to undercut their competitors on rate. Sadly, the wrong individuals seen. Â
So why particularly are these autos seemingly so simple to boost? Let us split it down.Â
Can robbers use my USB charger to steal my vehicle?
Technically, indeed. Stories preserve circulating about how Kia Boyz use USBs to steal your automobile. But using your charger with you will only mildly inconvenience a would-be joyrider. When a USB Variety-A cable (the chunky, aged kind you’re made use of to seeing in all places) could possibly make a helpful tool for turning the ignition change, just about anything else a thief can jam into the receptacle tightly sufficient to turn it will get the career completed — most most likely, a screwdriver.
Strictly talking, these cars and trucks are not faulty their most important fault is remaining inexpensive. The specific types in query were being bought with no ignition immobilizers — the parts that avert a vehicle from getting very easily stolen. This know-how is not inherently high priced, but it can be one particular of the matters Hyundai and Kia shaved off to make its base versions a tiny bit less costly (and by extension, to motivate clients to acquire up to the future trim).Â
What does an ignition immobilizer do?
Your ignition immobilizer performs in tandem with an electronic chip in your important. The two “shake fingers” when you switch your key or press the “get started” button in your vehicle, including an more layer of protection. If the digital signature in the critical will not match what the immobilizer expects, the motor vehicle will not likely begin. Even immobilizers can be to some degree easily defeated by identified robbers it can be just not generally worth the stress and prospective danger of incarceration to go to that a great deal issues just to consider a car or truck for a pleasure ride.Â
Does my car have an immobilizer?
If you have a auto created in the earlier five several years and it wasn’t created by Hyundai or Kia, the remedy is just about surely “of course.” Chances are, if your motor vehicle has a distant fob, you’re safeguarded. As of 2016, much more than 95% of all autos were being sold with some form of ignition immobilizer. They became commonplace during the mid-late aughts and now go hand-in-hand with keyless entry techniques that have to have digital handshaking, often with some degree of encryption.Â
Can Hyundai and Kia take care of these automobiles so they can’t be stolen?
The brief reply is yes, an motor immobilizer can be mounted in a motor vehicle that was marketed without having one. In actuality, Hyundai is in the method of rolling out updates that will tackle the issue. As of Feb. 14, 2023, a deal with has been made available for the 2017-2020 Elantra, 2015-2019 Sonata and 2020-2021 Venue. In June, Hyundai programs to release a related update for the remaining cars in its lineup impacted by the situation.
Listed here are the remaining Hyundais bought with variants that are susceptible to theft:
- 2018-2022 Accent
- 2011-2016 Elantra
- 2021-2022 Elantra
- 2018-2020 Elantra GT
- 2011-2014 Genesis Coupe
- 2018-2022 Kona
- 2020-2021 Palisade
- 2013-2018 Santa Fe Sport
- 2013-2022 Santa Fe
- 2019 Santa Fe XL
- 2011-2014 Sonata
- 2011-2022 Tucson
- 2012-2017 Veloster
- 2019-2021 Veloster
For now, you will find no identical treatment out there from Kia.Â
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