Final yr, Hyundai and Kia thefts have been a giant story, as folks discovered a easy approach to hack into the automobiles and drive away in seconds. Each automakers issued a theft-deterrent software program replace and steering wheel locks to repair the difficulty, however some fashions aren’t eligible for the replace. Kia not too long ago introduced a workaround for these automobiles that comes within the type of a {hardware} repair to guard the ignition cylinder physique.
The improve reinforces the cylinder to stop removing. Final yr, a number of movies of the “Kia Boyz,” as they’re known as, confirmed how easy it’s to pop open the ignition cylinder and steering column to insert a USB plug, letting them flip the swap and drive off. Whereas Kia’s repair is unlikely to cease the thefts utterly, it may make the break-in take lengthy sufficient to discourage all however essentially the most devoted thieves. As soon as a vendor installs the {hardware}, they affix a window decal to the automobile, telling thieves it is going to be more durable to steal.
Hyundai issued the same repair in December, together with a locking bracket and ignition cylinder protector. It stated its aim was for the system to succeed in 646,000 fashions that could not get the anti-theft software program replace. Like Kia, Hyundai will slap a sticker on the window to alert thieves to the improve.
Automobiles that obtained the software program replace, in the meantime, have protections that prohibit their ignition operation if somebody tries to begin and steal them with out a key. Kia stated its sellers have put in the software program on nearly 940,000 autos and famous that it has held a number of coaching clinics to assist sellers with the set up. In its most old-school repair, Kia issued steering wheel locks (bear in mind The Membership?) and continues distributing them as a visible theft deterrent. Greater than 325,000 steering wheel locks have been issued thus far.
Some older Kia and Hyundai fashions lack engine immobilizers, which might stop car operation in these kinds of thefts. The difficulty obtained so dangerous final yr that some insurers stopped issuing new car insurance policies, and a few house owners reported having been booted off their current insurance policies. Should you personal a Kia that you simply suspect may very well be vulnerable, examine along with your vendor or Kia’s assist web site along with your VIN helpful to search out out which fixes you’re eligible to obtain.