It can be argued that social media can be blamed for a lot of issues in the world today. Now, you can add not being able to insure your car to that list. If you own a 2012-2021 Kia or a 2015-2021 Hyundai, that is. Late last year, a group of teens calling themselves the "Kia Boyz" identified a security loophole in these Kia and Hyundai models that weren't equipped with an engine immobilizer.
This allowed these cars to be started without a key. It led to a spate of thefts across the US, accompanied by social media clips of the Kia Boyz joyriding in the stolen cars. It's now known as the Kia Challenge.
This viral car-theft challenge started in the streets of Milwaukee, and last year, 10,471 vehicles were stolen in the country, among which 67 percent were either a Hyundai or a Kia. So, why are these cars so easy to steal, and are Kia and Hyundai doing anything about it?
Updated April 2023: We've updated this article with the latest details on the Kia Boyz theft situation and what Hyundai and Kia are doing about it. We have also included details of the latest solution to these TikTok-led car thefts, which includes a free security software update that is bringing about a change in the number of thefts.
The Viral TikTok Challenge To Steal Kia And Hyundai Cars
To better understand the problem, you need to know some facts which motivated the rise of this problem. While the social media group Kia Boyz is mainly responsible for this crime, it wouldn’t have happened in the first place if Hyundai and Kia had equipped their cars with all the necessary equipment already.
According to news reports, lately, an internet trend named "Kia Challenge" has soared high on the social media platform – TikTok. Car thieves, mostly teenagers, target Kia and Hyundai vehicles because of their security shortcomings. This trend started first in the streets of Milwaukee, where a teen group named "Kia Boyz" started breaking into the car’s security systems and causing damage to public and private properties.
Why Are Kia And Hyundai Cars Easy To Steal?
Statistics suggest that models of Hyundai and Kia manufactured from 2011 to 2021 are most at risk because these cars lack an engine immobilizer and can be operated with a traditional mechanical key.
Based on research conducted by Donut Media, we see that stealing a Hyundai or a Kia model produced between 2011 and 2021 is astonishingly simple. Folks at Donut Media started this research with a regular screwdriver and a USB cable. Needless to say, we do not condone this method or suggest anyone try this. We at HotCars, or any entity of Valnet Inc., are not responsible for any legal liability for the information. The sole purpose of this article is only to create awareness of the issue.
Back to the topic at hand. We all know Kia and Hyundai are popular for offering cars at a lower price than other manufacturers. The reason is that most of their past products had a simple car ignition module. Thieves take out the ignition module and start the car’s ignition with the help of a USB cable. To make this matter worse, Hyundai and Kia refused to equip their cars with a simple engine immobilizer to reduce manufacturing costs.
How Many Cars Have The Kia Boyz Stolen?
While both these Korean carmakers work on meeting the market demands every year and boast plenty of lofty safety technologies, one TikTok trend has exposed the darker sides of Kia and Hyundai. While the TikTok trend first saw the light in 2021, it began its wildfire later in 2022, causing a heavy widening in car thefts, vandalism, and even accidents.
According to independent news channels, Detroit has seen 111 car thefts since July, while things are worse in Charlotte, with 156 such cases. In bigger cities like Los Angeles, 1,600 such cases were reported this year, whereas Chicago has experienced a jump of 756 percent in thefts this year. To make things worse, more insurance agencies have restricted coverage for Kia and Hyundai cars.
To provide a vivid idea of the number of thefts since 2019, the Milwaukee Police Department states that 10,471 vehicles went missing in 2021, of which 67 percent were Kia or Hyundai cars. The car theft count has gone down, but things are still not looking good for Kia or Hyundai. In 2022, a total of 8,096 vehicles were stolen, of which 55% were Kia or Hyundai cars. And till March 2023, a total of 1,194 cars were stolen, of which 52% were of the Korean automakers.
What Are Hyundai And Kia Doing To Stop The TikTok-Led Thefts?
One dealership in St. Louis has taken matters into its own hands and has started fitting the affected cars with $99 Bluetooth immobilizer devices that are plug-and-play. It requires the driver to push a button on a wireless key fob to start the car. It adds an extra layer of security, which should act as a deterrent.
As for the manufacturers, only after months of these thefts taking place did Hyundai release a software security update. And this comes soon after a class-action lawsuit was filed against Hyundai and Kia on the vulnerability of their safety systems. While the Korean giants are not consenting to it, they are providing immobilizers as standard for all vehicles now.
For all the affected cars from 2011 to 2022, a free software update is being provided by Hyundai. The update basically extends the alarm siren to 60 seconds. It adds a layer of supposed safety in which the car can only be started by inserting the key physically into the ignition.
But a solution to such a serious issue should be a thorough factory recall, which for some reason, isn't being talked about.
As a buyer, you can also evade the possibility of theft by considering these small steps. We recommend buying a good aftermarket wheel lock, followed by a steering lock, but do not skimp out and always invest in better products when it comes to automotive safety.