Hyundai, Kia cars left vulnerable as thieves' D.I.Y. tutorials go viral

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Hyundai, Kia cars left vulnerable as thieves' D.I.Y. tutorials go viral

Published: 18 Aug. 2022, 17:16 Updated: 18 Aug. 2022, 17:17

Screenshot of a video that shows how the thieves steal Kia cars using a USB cable. [YONHAP]

The most popular cars to steal in the United States are Hyundais and Kias.

The number of thefts involving Hyundais and Kias has been skyrocketing in the country lately, driven by the rapid spread of videos on social media that offer tips on how to steal such vehicles using a USB charging cable.

The Cook County Sheriff’s Office, which oversees Chicago city in Illinois, said it received 642 reports of thefts of Hyundai and Kia vehicles between July 1 and Aug. 10. That’s a jump of about 770 percent jump compared to the same period last year.

The St. Paul Police in Minnesota said 256 Kia thefts were reported this year through July 18, up 1,300 percent on year. Hyundai thefts soared 584 percent during the same period.

A total of 56 cars were stolen in St. Petersburg, Florida, since July 11, 23 of which were Kias or Hyundais, which accounts for about 41 percent. They were all 2021 models.

“Kia and Hyundai vehicles are being stolen across the country because of a social media challenge,” East Windsor Police in Connecticut wrote on Facebook. “These vehicle model years are ones without a push-button start and are vulnerable to the technique being used by thieves.”

The thieves, mainly teenagers, upload videos offering step-by-step instructions with tags such as #kiaboyz or #kiachallenge.

In the videos, they remove the plastic that covers the keyholes and start the engines with USB charging cables. The whole process can be completed in as little as thirty seconds.

The stolen cars are reported to be those produced before Nov. 2021 that do not have an engine immobilizer function, which is an electronic security system that prevents the engine from being started unless the driver has the correct key.

Some Hyundai and Kia car owners have filed lawsuits against the companies demanding compensation.

Hyundai Motor and Kia’s U.S. sales subsidiaries are reported to be mulling whether to offer steering wheel locks to car owners and developing security kits to prevent thefts.

BY SARAH CHEA [chea.sarah@joongang.co.kr]