Thieves impressed by social media are stealing sure fashions of Kias and Hyundais with little greater than a phone-charging cable.
The pattern began in Milwaukee earlier than spreading to cities nationwide. It has led to a number of lawsuits filed towards the carmakers. Plaintiffs allege that Kia and Hyundai defrauded customers by promoting unsafe autos that lack a typical type of anti-theft know-how, which made them sitting geese for thieves.
The carmakers have taken some steps to forestall extra thefts, together with offering free steering wheel locks by native police departments, in line with statements emailed to FinanceGrabber.
Prevention is vital. Having your automobile stolen is disruptive and costly, assuming you will need to change your automobile or restore it, if it’s recovered. However for those who personal one of many affected Kia or Hyundai fashions, you can face extra penalties, together with pricier insurance coverage and lowered resale worth on a automobile that’s recognized to be simply stolen.
Right here’s what it’s essential know concerning the wave of Kia and Hyundai thefts — and tips on how to defend your self.
TikTok problem spurs Kia and Hyundai thefts
Movies posted on TikTok, YouTube and different social media websites over the previous a number of months show tips on how to steal sure Kia and Hyundai fashions offered between 2011 and 2021. These fashions use a key, somewhat than a push-start ignition system.
These autos don’t have engine immobilizers, which use digital indicators to forestall the automobile from beginning with out the right key. Most vehicles made prior to now 20 years are geared up with engine immobilizers as a result of they’ve been so efficient at decreasing automobile thefts.
Brazen movies that includes the “Kia Boys” in Milwaukee show tips on how to steal these Kias and Hyundais that don’t have engine immobilizers. They accomplish that utilizing a screwdriver, and even one thing as ubiquitous as a USB twine.
In response to the rise in thefts, Hyundai now consists of immobilizers in all autos, beginning with these made after Nov. 1, 2021, in line with a Hyundai Motor America assertion despatched to FinanceGrabber. In a separate assertion, Kia America mentioned all 2022 fashions have an immobilizer.
The focused thefts began occurring earlier than the movies went viral. However the tutorials are being blamed for a bounce in Kia and Hyundai thefts in cities throughout the nation. Take St. Paul, Minnesota, the place one among many class motion lawsuits was filed this month. Between January and August 2021, 31 Kias and 48 Hyundais had been stolen, in line with St. Paul Police Division knowledge. Throughout the identical interval this yr, that rely elevated to 334 Kia and 288 Hyundai thefts.
The Kia and Hyundai thefts add to a nationwide car-theft drawback that’s lasted two years. The Nationwide Insurance coverage Crime Bureau, which analyzes crime knowledge, reported that automobile crime has elevated since 2020, with carjackings and catalytic converter thefts nearing report highs. Virtually 1,000,000 autos had been stolen in 2021, the NICB mentioned in an e-mail. Of these, about 782,300 had been passenger autos.
Thefts might have broad penalties for automobile homeowners
However the best way during which sure Kias and Hyundais are being focused makes insurance coverage a thornier difficulty for these explicit automobile homeowners — even when they haven’t had their automobile stolen. When threat will increase, so do insurance coverage charges.
“It additionally is dependent upon the insurer and what their claims expertise has been, but when an organization has seen numerous losses by prospects who personal a automobile that’s vulnerable to being stolen for components, and so forth., then that would lead to greater premiums,” Worters mentioned. “We already see that with sure automobile fashions which can be stolen most incessantly.”
Resale values additionally might take successful now that there’s widespread data that these autos are at greater threat of theft, says Christine Hines, legislative director with the Nationwide Affiliation of Client Advocates. “It’s not going to be value what it needs to be value in the event that they wish to promote it, and that’s not truthful.”
The circumstances of the nationwide pattern underscores carmakers’ duty to behave, Hines says.
“It’s one thing they may have foreseen given that the majority different producers had these anti-theft units,” Hines says. “You simply don’t need folks to be in danger. That’s on the producers. They need to be appearing rapidly to make sure the protection of their prospects.”
Learn how to stop automobile theft
With automobile thefts of all types on the rise throughout the pandemic, all automobile homeowners ought to take precautions to keep away from changing into a sufferer. NICB recommends ensuring insurance coverage insurance policies are present, taking valuables with you or preserving them out of sight once you depart your automobile, locking your automobile when it’s unoccupied and parking in well-lit areas.
If you happen to personal a 2011-2021 Kia or Hyundai, verify together with your carmaker about your particular automobile to search out out whether or not you’re at the next threat for automobile theft and what the producer will do to assist.
-
Kia homeowners can name buyer help at 1-800-333-4542.
-
Hyundai homeowners ought to name 800-633-5151.
The free steering wheel locks Kia and Hyundai are offering are a visual deterrent that would hold somebody from breaking into your automobile in an try to steal it.
Along with offering the steering wheel locks, in addition to engine immobilizers in new fashions, Hyundai has mentioned automobile homeowners can purchase a Compustar safety package that will assist stop thefts. The package shall be out there beginning Oct. 1 and would must be put in at a Hyundai dealership or by Compustar.
See extra money information
FinanceGrabber reporters convey you the newest monetary information and clarify what it means for you.