Hyundai/Kia theft problem in the US: Car theft as a TikTok challenge

In the statistics of theft in Germany, the Hyundai and Kia brands have so far been somewhat unclear. In the latest assessment of the German Insurance Association (GDV), which refers to 2020, the Koreans occupied gray midfield positions: in the year in question, only 275 Hyundai and 154 Kia ​​were stolen. The theft rate, which calculates the number of cars stolen against 1,000 registered cars, is a modest 0.2 either way. For comparison: Leader Land Rover comes in at 1.9.

It is different in the USA: thefts of Hyundai and Kia models have increased significantly in the recent past, even with relatively new cars. This is because some chains of Korean models are especially easy to break due to the lack of an immobilizer. And this, in turn, leads to another phenomenon: a “challenge” has been created on the TikTok social network, in which mostly young users are asked to crack open Hyundai and Kia models and steal them. Local police authorities are also warning against calls to take cars – often risky and dangerous – for flights or even to destroy them.

Concern about rising domestic car thefts

The method of theft seems too simple to believe: thieves can start cars by simply removing the panel behind the steering wheel with a screwdriver and connecting a USB cable to a certain circuit there. This is usually prevented by an electronic immobilizer, which must receive a signal from the key as a prerequisite for starting the engine. Therefore, this type of auto theft does not work with cars of other brands.

The problem has, of course, moved to the headquarters of the concerned American importers. “Our vehicles meet or exceed federal vehicle safety standards, and immobilizers are standard equipment on all new Hyundai vehicles,” said a statement from Hyundai USA, reported by US media. Hyundai Motor America is concerned about the rise in domestic car thefts. Kia America reports that all cars of the brand sold in the United States have been equipped with an immobilizer since 2022.

Troubleshooting costs up to $750

However, Hyundai has not yet started an official recall at Kia in the USA. Now manufacturers offer at least one solution: Compustar immobilizers can be modified in authorized workshops. Problem: Since no official recall is required, customers will have to pay for it themselves. American media quoted lawyers from a law firm representing the suspected owners of Hyundai and Kias in this matter. Lawyers cite total costs of up to $750 (currently equivalent to around €770), since installation costs as well as parts must be borne by the client. In view of almost two and a half hours of work, a lot is combined.

Of course, police authorities in some American communities have long feared the challenge of theft. Shortly after the internet phenomenon began, the City of Milwaukee asked Hyundai and Kia to close the security gap. In a city in Wisconsin, the TikTok Challenge was started by a group of young people calling themselves “Kia Boys”. Until a technical solution is installed, car owners should protect themselves as best they can on their own: do not leave the car unattended and do not leave any valuables or USB charging cables lying in it. If you want to be on the safe side, you have to secure the car the very old school way with the steering wheel clutch. In addition to Milwaukee, other US cities also reserve the right to sue Hyundai and Kia.

How is the situation in Germany?

Do Hyundai and Kia owners in Germany now have to fear that their cars are easy prey for car thieves? Hyundai Germany reassured: “First of all, this seems to affect models in the US, which usually differ significantly from European models in terms of equipment and sales variants or are not sold at all in Europe,” says the auto-motor- und-sport. de request. The sister brand sees no problem for its customers in Germany: ‘Since January 1, 1998, all newly registered cars in Germany must be equipped with an electronic immobilizer (§ 38aStVZO), preventing the type of unauthorized access indicated in the ‘ says a Challenge spokeswoman. “Blocked.” Kia is also constantly studying new ways to improve vehicle safety.

Cars sold in Germany seem to be better protected from theft: the TikTok challenge hasn’t quite come to it yet. However, German representatives of Korean manufacturers should take a closer look at the GDV car theft statistics mentioned at the beginning: accordingly, Hyundai (plus 52.8 percent) and Kia models (plus 63.8 percent) recorded in 2020 compared to the previous year the largest increases among all Trademarks ; They rose up greatly in favor of car thieves. The Kia Stinger was the third most stolen model per 1,000 vehicles (average: 6.7); Hyundai Santa Fe (3.4; 11th) and Kia Sorento (2.7; 16th) were also well above average.

Note: In the slideshow at the top of the article, we show you the Kia Telluride, the large seven-seater SUV for the USA, after a 2023 facelift.

opinion poll

Always park your car in the garage.

There is no private security.

I trust the standard immobilizer.

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conclusion

Are the strong increases in the latest GDV theft numbers for Hyundai and Kia models a coincidence, a statistical anomaly or the result of insufficient anti-theft protection despite a mandatory start ban? The future must show it. We will continue to follow how the car theft statistics develop in this country with respect to the Korean manufacturers’ chain. Compared to American models, they seem to be better protected from theft. In Germany, the TikTok challenge has not been a problem so far. Hopefully it will stay that way.