Automakers Kia and Hyundai introduced Tuesday that they are going to present an anti-theft software program replace for the thousands and thousands of their automobiles that lack an immobilizer. The replace would require the important thing to be within the ignition to start out the car and the size of the beep will probably be modified from 30 seconds to 1 minute.
Kia and Hyundai fashions have been focused throughout the nation after a TikTok social media problem that encourages theft of those automobiles and exhibits viewers steal a automobile with no key.
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The focused automobiles are 2011-21 Kia fashions and 2015-21 Hyundai fashions. Indianapolis police say some auto insurance coverage firms refuse to insure vehicles. Fashions wouldn’t have digital immobilizers, which verify that the important thing belongs to that car.
The rise of stolen Kias and Hyundais started in Milwaukee with a infamous automobile theft group often known as the “Kia Boys” as a result of they primarily goal Kias and Hyundais. From watching movies on-line, the group realized simply steal vehicles utilizing a screwdriver and a USB charging twine. The issue has begun to have an effect on different cities, together with Indianapolis not too long ago.
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Whereas auto thefts in Indianapolis decreased 12% in 2023, thefts of some Kia and Hyundai fashions elevated this 12 months, in response to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Division.
In January, 19% of all stolen vehicles within the metropolis have been Kia or Hyundai fashions. For comparability, these automobiles made up simply 4% of all automobiles stolen from August 2021 via January 2022.
In keeping with the Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration, Kia and Hyundai will present the software program replace free of charge, which will probably be dealt with in a phased strategy. Hyundai can even present prospects with a window sticker that may alert potential thieves that the car is supplied with anti-theft safety.
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The improve modifies the car management modules on Hyundai automobiles which have customary “turn-key-start” ignition programs. As soon as the programs are upgraded, locking the doorways with the important thing fob will set the manufacturing unit alarm and activate the “ignition off” characteristic in order that automobiles can’t be began when thieves try and take off with them.
Hyundai mentioned prospects should use the ignition key to unlock their vehicles and deactivate the ignition off characteristic.
Kia has additionally promised some prospects improved security software program that needs to be out there over the subsequent few months, the corporate mentioned in a press release on Tuesday.
Kia vehicles newer than 2011 and Hyundai vehicles newer than 2015 are affected.
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In keeping with Hyundai, the entire firm’s vehicles produced since November 2021 have an engine immobilizer system. All 2022 Kia fashions are outfitted with an immobilizer.
NHTSA urges house owners of those automobiles to contact Hyundai (toll-free 800-633-5151) or Kia (toll-free 800-333-4542) for details about the free replace.
The way to shield your Kia and Hyundai automobile from theft
Indianapolis Police shared the next suggestions:
- Set up the steering wheel lock machine
- Putting in prime quality video surveillance cameras and alarms
- Set up a GPS monitoring machine
- Go away the porch lights on
- Contact the police relating to suspicious individuals
- Lock all home windows and doorways
- Do not depart your automobile operating
- Set up relationships with neighbors and fellow enterprise house owners
- Contact dealerships about car theft safety choices
- Maintain data similar to make, mannequin, mannequin 12 months, license plate and VIN accessible in case your car is stolen
IndyStar reporter Jake Allen contributed to this report. USA At the moment contributed to this report.
Contact Drake Bentley at (414) 391-5647 or DBentley1@gannett.com. Observe him on Twitter at @employee. Contact Jake Allen at jake.allen@indystar.com. Observe him on Twitter @jake_allen19.
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