Hyundai and Kia, the Most Stolen Auto Brands in the US, Take Special Action: Software Upgrades for Anti-Theft Devices

Vehicle theft spreads like a trend in the U.S.
Targeting Hyundai and Kia
Finally, they introduced decisive measures

The Kia Boys have gained attention in the U.S. for their car theft activities, mainly targeting Hyundai and Kia vehicles. This group, which consists primarily of teenagers, has been involved in stealing cars, a trend that started gaining traction on social media platforms like TikTok in early to mid-2022.

Their thefts predominantly involve vehicles manufactured before November 2021 that lack immobilizers. An immobilizer is a security feature that uses a unique code to prevent the unauthorized starting of the car. The absence of this feature in older models has made these vehicles easier targets for theft.

The impact has been significant: in 2023, Hyundai and Kia vehicles made up 44% of stolen cars in Washington, D.C., highlighting the scale of the problem and the growing trend of such thefts.

Immobilizers are useless, too
Is the Game Boy the omnipotent key?

Despite expectations that electric vehicles produced after November 2021 would be equipped with immobilizers to prevent theft, this has not entirely solved the problem. In March 2024, a startling video showed a thief stealing a Hyundai Ioniq 5 in seconds. The key to this theft? A device called an emulator can bypass the vehicle’s immobilizer system.

Emulators, sometimes called “Game Boys” in this context, are online tools that can clone vehicle systems. They work by intercepting and mimicking a car’s key signals, allowing thieves to unlock doors and start engines as if they had the genuine key. Vehicles identified as particularly vulnerable include Hyundai’s Ioniq 5, Kia’s EV6, and Genesis GV60. A recent demonstration by a Polish media outlet, conducted with a legal expert, showed how an emulator could unlock these vehicles, highlighting the ongoing security challenges in the automotive industry.

60% reduction after upgrade
Even though it is the initial stage of the action, it is very effective

Hyundai and Kia, struggling with vehicle theft, recently dramatically reduced the number of thefts through an upgrade to their anti-theft software. According to a study by the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI), vehicles that received the new upgrades through December 2023 had a 64% decrease in thefts across the U.S. compared to cars that did not.

It was revealed that approximately 60% of all vehicles had been upgraded by July 2024, showing significant penetration and theft prevention rates even in the early stages of the upgrade. While it may not be possible to stop all vehicle theft, simply reducing the perception that Hyundai and Kia’s vehicles are easy to steal appears to have significantly reduced the theft rate.

Hyundai and Kia are the most stolen vehicles?
Damage already considerable

The issue extended beyond vehicle thefts, severely impacting the brand’s reputation. A widespread perception emerged in the U.S. that “Hyundai and Kia vehicles are easily stolen” and “cheap and vulnerable.” In 2023, this led to class action lawsuits against Hyundai Motor Group in at least eight U.S. cities, including Seattle and Cleveland.

The economic fallout was significant. In response, Hyundai Motor Group offered a compensation settlement of around $2 million and provided up to $300 in support for anti-theft devices. Despite these efforts, Hyundai Motor Group now has a chance to restore its image through a software upgrade to enhance vehicle security.