In late 2021, a TikTok video challenge emerged, showing how to easily steal older models of Kia and Hyundai vehicles using only a USB cable. The so-called “Kia Challenge” quickly took off in popularity among teens and young adults on social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. As more people replicated and shared the theft methods online, reported thefts of Hyundai and Kia vehicles skyrocketed across the US. Police have directly linked the viral challenge to the spike in car thefts, posing major safety concerns and financial losses for automakers and vehicle owners.
Spike in Thefts
There has been a staggering spike in Hyundai and Kia thefts recently, with most of them being attributed to a dangerous viral TikTok challenge. According to CNN, theft insurance claims for vulnerable Hyundais and Kias increased more than 1,000% from the first half of 2020 to the first half of 2023. In some major cities, the problem is even worse. For example, Hyundai-Kia thefts increased 2,500 percent in June 2021 versus a year prior in a Midwest city according to a lawsuit filed by the city. Overall, police data from across the country shows thefts of these vehicles have skyrocketed to epidemic levels, leaving officials scrambling for solutions.
How Thieves Are Stealing the Cars
The rise in Hyundai and Kia thefts has been attributed to a TikTok challenge that demonstrates how to steal certain models using only a USB cable. Thieves are exploiting a vulnerability in the steering column lock for Hyundais and Kias produced before 2022. By removing the plastic covering around the steering column and locating the diagnostic port, thieves can insert a USB cable which essentially overrides the ignition system (source). This allows them to turn the ignition tumbler and start the vehicle without a key.
With the steering lock disabled via the USB method, thieves are able to quickly drive the cars away. The method does not trigger the alarm system on affected Hyundai and Kia vehicles, making it an easy and quiet way for thieves to steal the cars. Models without push-button ignitions and immobilizers are most vulnerable to this method of theft (source).
Makes and Models Most Affected
The Hyundai and Kia models that have been most targeted in these thefts include older versions of the Kia Sportage, Kia Optima, and Hyundai Sonata. According to research conducted by the Highway Loss Data Institute, theft claims for certain 2015-2019 Kia and Hyundai vehicles were more than twice as common as other vehicles in the same class.
In September 2022, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reported a nearly three-fold increase in thefts involving these models between 2017 and 2021. During 2021 alone, there were over 14,000 Kia and Hyundai thefts reported. The main models targeted have been the Kia Sportage, Kia Optima, Hyundai Sonata, and Hyundai Elantra.
According to Car and Driver (https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a43941743/hyundai-kia-vehicle-theft-settlement/), these models all used simple mechanical key systems without engine immobilizers, making them easier for thieves to steal. Newer versions of these vehicles have added more sophisticated anti-theft technology, but thieves are still targeting older models without upgraded security features.
Geographic Areas Most Affected
Certain cities and regions have seen a disproportionate spike in Hyundai and Kia thefts as a result of the TikTok challenge.
Milwaukee has been hit especially hard, with thefts of Hyundais and Kias surging 506% from 2021 to 2022. Police data shows over 10,000 Hyundais and Kias have been stolen in the city since the beginning of 2022. Other Midwestern cities like Chicago and St. Louis have also seen large year-over-year increases in thefts of these vehicles.
On the East Coast, Charlotte, NC and Newark, NJ have emerged as hotspots, with thefts jumping 740% and 852% respectively from 2021 to 2022. The Pacific Northwest has not been immune either, with Seattle and Portland both experiencing waves of Hyundai and Kia thefts since 2021.
The epidemic of thefts seems to have spread nationwide, though some regions have proven more vulnerable than others due to factors like demographics, policing, and proximity to distribution centers where stolen cars are processed. However, as the TikTok challenge continues and thieves share techniques, no area with Hyundais and Kias can consider themselves totally safe.
Driver Safety Concerns
The spike in Kia and Hyundai thefts has raised major concerns around driver safety. The ease with which thieves are able to steal these vehicles has led to reckless joyriding, dangerous police chases, and tragic accidents. According to NBC News, thefts of Hyundai and Kia vehicles have resulted in at least eight deaths and numerous injuries across the country.
Many of the crashes associated with the thefts have involved young, inexperienced drivers. A report by the Morning Bun highlighted local news stories about fatal crashes involving stolen Kias and Hyundais in cities across the country. In one case in St. Petersburg, Florida, five teenage girls ages 14-17 died when a stolen Hyundai drove off the road at over 100 mph and caught fire.
The deaths represent the worst outcome of a trend that sees thieves take advantage of the lack of immobilizer technology in older Kia and Hyundai models to steal cars for joyrides or to commit other crimes. The thefts put drivers, passengers, and the public at risk whenever a reckless, untrained driver gets behind the wheel of a stolen vehicle.
Law enforcement officials have also warned about the dangers of pursuing stolen vehicles driving recklessly through neighborhoods. Overall, the rampant thefts have turned Kias and Hyundais into a public safety hazard on roads across America.
Financial Costs
The TikTok challenge targeting Hyundai and Kia vehicles has resulted in steep financial costs for owners, insurers, and the automakers themselves. According to Forbes, dozens of insurance companies are suing Hyundai and Kia for over $200 million in insurance claim costs related to the thefts [1]. Insurers say they are paying out millions to cover repairs and replace stolen Hyundai and Kia models that the automakers failed to make theft-resistant.
For owners, insurance rates on vulnerable Hyundai and Kia models have skyrocketed. Some Florida drivers reported seeing their monthly premiums double or even triple to $800 or more just to insure their vehicles, according to News4Jax [2]. Several major insurers are dropping coverage entirely for the most theft-prone models like the Kia Optima and Hyundai Sonata.
In addition to insurance costs, owners also face repair bills in the thousands of dollars to fix damage from attempted thefts. Hyundai and Kia dealerships are overwhelmed with repairs, resulting in long wait times and rental car costs. The automakers themselves are spending heavily on providing free steering wheel locks and security kits to try to curb the thefts.
Preventive Measures
Vehicle owners can take several precautions to help prevent their Hyundais and Kias from being stolen. The most effective measure is to install an aftermarket immobilizing anti-theft device that disables the steering wheel or prevents the car from starting without a key present (NHTSA). These devices range from $100-$500 and a professional should install them. Owners can also upgrade their key fobs to ones with radio frequency or Bluetooth capability, making them harder to replicate. Parking in well-lit areas, using a steering wheel lock, or installing a GPS tracking device are other options.
For models without engine immobilizers, owners should ensure their keys are accounted for and be vigilant about locking doors. Hyundai and Kia have provided free anti-theft software updates that enhance security features for millions of affected vehicles (Beacon Journal). Owners can contact dealerships to inquire about getting these updates installed. Practicing general car theft prevention habits like not leaving valuables in plain sight can also help deter break-ins. Remaining alert to viral theft trends and acting quickly to boost security remains the key protective step.
Automaker and Law Enforcement Response
In response to the viral TikTok challenge, Hyundai and Kia have taken several actions to curb thefts of their vehicles. The automakers have agreed to a nearly $200 million class action settlement over the thefts, according to NPR1. As part of the settlement, the automakers will provide compensation for past thefts and security upgrades for millions of vehicles.
Hyundai and Kia have also worked to distribute security upgrade kits to local police departments to help deter thefts. These kits include software updates to lengthen steering wheel lock times. Additionally, the automakers have provided police departments window stickers to alert would-be thieves that a car has anti-theft protection.
Law enforcement agencies have stepped up patrols and surveillance around high-risk parking lots. Some departments are advising owners of targeted vehicle models to upgrade security systems and warning against posting valuables in plain sight. They are also monitoring social media for signs of coordinated theft plans.
Despite these efforts, viral theft challenges remain an ongoing issue. Continued consumer education and technology improvements will likely be needed to fully resolve the problem.
Long-Term Outlook and Solutions
While the theft deterrent software updates from Hyundai and Kia will help prevent many of these thefts, some experts believe thefts may continue in the short term as thieves learn to adapt[1]. Additional technical fixes by the automakers may be needed, such as adding immobilizers to more models. Hyundai has said future models will include immobilizers and other anti-theft technology as standard[2].
Law enforcement will need to continue monitoring social media for new theft trends and collaborating with automakers on deterrence. Community outreach and education for owners on prevention steps will also be key. Hyundai and Kia plan to launch a joint media campaign to share safety tips[3]. The long-term outlook depends on stakeholders working together to get ahead of the next viral trend before it starts.
[1] https://www.autoweek.com/news/industry-news/a42959205/hyundai-and-kia-boyz-challenge-car-theft-solution/
[2] https://www.motortrend.com/news/hyundai-fixing-kia-boys-theft-security-vulnerability-free/
[3] https://www.nhtsa.gov/press-releases/hyundai-kia-campaign-prevent-vehicle-theft
