Nearly three months ago, Hyundai and Kia unveiled software that was designed to thwart an epidemic of thefts of their vehicles, caused by a security flaw that was exposed on TikTok and other social media sites. So far, it hasn't solved the problem.
This is how the Kia TikTok Challenge ends: The automaker has agreed to compensate owners of around 9 million vehicles in a settlement in California.
The vehicles in question, 2015-2019 Hyundai and Kia models, such as the Hyundai Santa Fe and Tucson and the Kia Forte and Sportage, when equipped with turn-key ignitions — as opposed to cars that only require a button to be pushed to start — are roughly twice as likely to be stolen as other vehicles of a similar age.
If you own a 2011-2021 Kia or Hyundai, your vehicle may be at risk of being stolen. Any Hyundai or Kia vehicle that operates with a metal or steel key is impacted by a system flaw that thieves are targeting.
Both Mantyk and Van Slyke are victims of the so-called "Kia Challenge" -- a viral social media challenge that sparked a surge in thefts of Kia and Hyundai cars across the United States. Thieves targeted certain Kia and Hyundai models manufactured between 2011 and 2022 that lack anti-theft controls.
The vehicles being targeted are Kia models from 2011-21 and Hyundai models from 2015-21 with turn-key ignitions, as opposed to a push-button start. The models don't have electronic immobilizers, which confirms that the key belongs with that vehicle.
Officials say more than eight million Hyundais and Kias from model years 2011 to 2022 can be hotwired with a USB cable and lack an engine immobilizer, a common anti-theft feature that prevents the engine from starting unless the vehicle's key is nearby. They increasingly have become targets for thieves.
Kia Warranty Exclusions and Caveats
Like with all manufacturer warranties, there will be some things that Kia does not cover: Vehicle misuse. Accidents. Theft or vandalism.
Thieves across America are stealing Hyundais and Kias in seconds. It can take as little as under a minute to steal some Hyundai and Kia models, and it's happening all across the country.
Hyundai and Kia theft trend has reached New York City. Spikes in car thefts of certain Hyundai and Kia models, a trend that began in the American midwest and was spread by how-to videos on social media, has reached America's biggest city.
According to news reports and at least one class-action lawsuit, the most-affected vehicles are Kias made between 2010 and 2021 and Hyundais produced between 2015 and 2021. Thieves typically break a back window to avoid alarms, expose the steering column, and fit a USB-A cable into a matching plug.
Both brands stand behind their products and offer quality that's matched by few in the business. For 2021, Kia ranked third in the J.D. Power U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study*, ahead of brands like Toyota, Chevrolet, and even Mercedes-Benz. Kia even finished ahead of both Hyundai and their Genesis luxury subsidiary.
Nearly three months ago, Hyundai and Kia unveiled software that was designed to thwart an epidemic of thefts of their vehicles, caused by a security flaw that was exposed on TikTok and other social media sites.So far, it hasn't solved the problem.
If your Kia has been stolen, you can use the UVO app to remotely immobilize your stolen vehicle and track its location.
To deactivate the immobilizer system
Change the ENGINE START/STOP button to the ON position.
The warranty will be voided in the event of the vehicle being “Written Off” (that is, the vehicle has been damaged to the extent that renders repair of the vehicle impractical or uneconomic) or disposed of by an insurer. KAU does not recommend the fitment of non-genuine, unapproved or unauthorised accessories.
Any service performed by a Kia-certified technician comes with a 12,000 mile/12-month parts and labor warranty - including oil changes! If you change your oil yourself, you do not receive this warranty.
Coverage for your Kia.
10-year/100,000 mile limited powertrain warranty. 5-year/60,000 mile limited basic warranty.
Is Kia reliable? Kia is a reliable car brand. Overall, RepairPal gives Kia a 4.0 out of 5.0 reliability rating and ranks it third overall for reliability (out of 32 brands).
Keyless theft (otherwise known as relay theft) is relatively simple; all it requires is two small boxes of electronics, which thieves can use to open your car in as little as 60 seconds. Crooks will typically work in pairs to commit relay theft, with one holding a relay amplifier, and the other a relay transmitter.
For example, Toyota, Honda and Saturn vehicles between the model years of 1980 and 2000 are the most common ones taken using shaved keys. These earlier model cars and trucks used very similar ignition systems, making them easily defeated with the use of a shaved key.
Many modern Hyundais and Kias lack a useful anti-theft device called an immobilizer, which prevents a vehicle from starting when someone attempts to use a key or key fob that doesn't match the car.
Ghost Immobilisers benefit by having their systems hidden within your car, this means that potential thieves will have immense difficulty in finding & deactivating the immobiliser.
Keep in mind, Hyundai and Kia only started installing immobilizers in their vehicles starting in 2021. The software update works in a simple manner. When the doors are locked with the key fob, an “ignition kill” feature is activated.