Thieves are aware that some Hyundai and Kia cars and SUVs lack a “key” anti-theft system.
Because their keys lack computer chips for theft “immobilizer” systems, an insurance industry association claims that these vehicles are stolen at a rate that is almost two times higher than the rest of the auto industry.
After instructional videos appeared on social media, the thefts likely began in the Milwaukee area two years ago and quickly expanded to several Midwest locations as well as far afield as Colorado and New Mexico.
The Highway Loss Data Institute, a division of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, discovered that the car theft claim rate for Hyundais and Kias without immobilizers was 2.18 per 1,000 insured vehicle years. The rate for the remainder of the industry as a whole was 1.21. One car is insured for a full year during an insured vehicle year.
The institute evaluated vehicles from the 2015 to 2019 model years before publishing its findings on Thursday. It looked at 2021-era accusations of vehicle theft.
The ignition switch has a chip that communicates with the chip keys, which first appeared in the 1990s. They will ignite the engines if they match. A burglar cannot start the engine if they don’t match.
According to the institute, numerous lower-priced models of cars from the two South Korean automakers, including the Kia Rio and Sportage and the Hyundai Accent, lack immobilizer systems on their keys.
Senior vice president of the institute Matt Moore stated that “our past research demonstrates that vehicle theft losses fell after immobilizers were deployed.” Unfortunately, Hyundai and Kia haven’t made them standard equipment as quickly as other automakers.
According to the institute, immobilizers were a standard feature on 96% of other manufacturers’ vehicles for the 2015 model year. But only 26% of Hyundai and Kia cars came with them as standard equipment. The choice to leave immobilizers off of some models has not been explained by the automakers.
Videos show burglars removing the ignition covers from Hyundai and Kia cars, starting them with a screwdriver or USB cord, and then driving off.
According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel newspaper, Hyundai and Kia made up 66% of the 10,476 stolen cars in Milwaukee last year. This year, the city has seen a decrease in the number of thefts. According to Milwaukee police, 6,048 vehicles were stolen through September 12; however, 58% of those were Hyundai or Kia vehicles.
According to the Journal Sentinel, police were able to apprehend one 17-year-old suspect in a viral video regarding Kia thefts by using the video and an anonymous tip. He might spend as much as 22 years behind bars.
In remarks, Hyundai and Kia both acknowledged that some of their cars are being stolen but insisted that they adhere to federal safety regulations. It is regrettable that thieves are utilizing social media in a coordinated attempt to target cars without engine immobilizers, according to Kia.
Immobilizers were installed in every 2022 Kia either at the beginning of the model year or afterward. Immobilizers are standard on all Hyundai cars produced after November 1, 2021, according to the automaker.
Kia claims it is attempting to prevent thefts by offering steering wheel locks to authorities in affected areas at no cost. In addition to giving the locks to the police, Hyundai said that it will begin selling a security system in October that specifically counters the techniques used by burglars.
The institute’s Moore claimed that the weak Hyundais and Kias are among the 20 most popular automobiles with thieves, a title often held by pickup trucks or pricey or high-powered cars. The Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat reported the most thefts.
The fragile Hyundais and Kias are frequently purchased by those with modest incomes. When bought new, these cars are affordable, according to Moore. He claimed that owners of some of the models may have forgone comprehensive insurance to save money and may have been forced to pay for the replacement of the vehicles on their own.
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, owners should roll up windows, lock doors, and take the key or fobs with them to assist avoid theft. They ought to use a garage or well-lit spots to park. Owners might consider installing motion-sensor lights if they must park outside.
