August 17, 2022
Are you one of the unfortunate owners of a Hyundai or Kia that has the manufacturing vulnerability which allows thieves to steal your vehicle without a key?
This crime trend has been occurring in Milwaukee for the last two years, but thanks to social media challenges and descriptive videos, thefts of these vehicles has increased significantly across the U.S. in the last few months. The Madison area has not been immune, and even some owners of vehicles that don’t have the manufacturing vulnerability have been impacted.
Relief may be in sight if you own one of the vulnerable vehicles. Hyundai will be making a special security kit available starting on October 1st, and a Kia spokesperson told a separate news agency they are also working on a similar fix.
The city of Milwaukee filed a class action lawsuit against the automakers last year, and this month Kia and Hyundai owners in Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky and Texas also filed class action lawsuits.
From the Miami Herald:
In a previous statement sent to McClatchy News, Hyundai said its vehicle models without engine immobilizers have been targeted by criminals “in a coordinated effort on social media.” The devices became standard for all vehicles manufactured after Nov. 1, 2021, the statement says. “In order to assist customers with earlier model year vehicles without an immobilizer, Hyundai has been working with and will continue to support local police departments to make steering wheel locks available for affected Hyundai owners,” the statement says. “Additionally, Hyundai has identified a Firstech / Compustar security kit that targets the method of entry thieves are using to access these vehicles.” The company said customers will be able to purchase the security kits and have them installed at Hyundai dealerships beginning on Oct. 1.