Hyundai and Kia launch software update to stop TikTok car thefts [UPDATE]

We listened to that an anti-theft software package fix was coming for particular Hyundai and Kia autos — 8.3 million of them in all — and now it’s officially below. Beginning these days, three Hyundai products will be suitable for absolutely free computer software updates that will prevent the cars from getting stolen by means of the method popularized online.

The three models incorporate the 2017-2020 Elantra, 2015-2019 Sonata and 2020-2021 Location. This update is staying introduced as a “service campaign” for all eligible models and will have to have a excursion to the dealership. Hyundai sellers will install a program update to the cars that normally takes “less than one hour” to total. Once the current computer software is set up, all motor vehicles will get a new window decal to notify intruders that the vehicle has the upgraded anti-theft technological innovation put in.

Kia does not be expecting to get started updates of its vehicles right up until later on this month, in accordance to NHTSA. 

The free upgrade will be offered for 3.8 million Hyundai and 4.5 million Kia motor vehicles in the United States, the automakers and NHTSA stated.

TikTok videos exhibiting how to steal vehicles built from 2015 to 2019 without the need of force-button ignitions and immobilizing anti-theft products have spread nationwide. “This experienced led to at minimum 14 documented crashes and eight fatalities,” the Countrywide Highway Targeted visitors Protection Administration (NHTSA) reported.

What does the computer software update do, particularly? Hyundai claims that it “modifies specific vehicle management modules on Hyundai cars geared up with conventional ‘turn-crucial-to-start’ ignition programs.” If you lock the doorway with the essential fob, that will quickly established the factory alarm and permit a new “ignition kill” attribute. The only way to deactivate the ignition destroy aspect is to unlock the automobile with the vital fob when additional.

The software “updates the theft alarm application logic to increase the duration of the alarm audio from 30 seconds to one particular moment and necessitates the critical to be in the ignition change to turn the car or truck on,” NHTSA claimed.

In addition to the update, Hyundai states it is working with law enforcement organizations to distribute free of charge steering wheel locks to entrepreneurs. Regretably, some 2011-2022 Hyundai styles that are affected by this theft issue are not suitable with the software improve Hyundai introduced right now. If you possess one particular of people cars, Hyundai claims it’s now finalizing a software that will reimburse people for the order of steering wheel locks.

In addition to the a few versions suitable for software program updates now, Hyundai says 14 added styles will be qualified starting in June this yr. These products incorporate the 2018-2022 Accent, 2011-2016 Elantra, 2021-2022 Elantra, 2018-2020 Elantra GT, 2011-2014 Genesis Coupe, 2018-2022 Kona, 2020-2021 Palisade, 2013-2018 Santa Fe Sport, 2013-2022 Santa Fe, 2019 Santa Fe XL, 2011-2014 Sonata, 2011-2022 Tucson, 2012-2017 Veloster and 2019-2021 Veloster.

Notifications to entrepreneurs will go out by using mail, electronic mail, telephone make contact with and by means of a dedicated web site — people can type in their VIN to the web site to obtain out when their vehicle is suitable for the software program update. We lately reported that Point out Farm and Progressive are the two insurers that won’t deal with some of the affected Hyundai and Kia merchandise in some states. We will be adhering to together to see how insurers modify their guidelines as these updates hit the industry.

Contains data from Reuters