Kia will provide some owners with a free theft deterrent device meant to deter thieves inspired by social media videos showing how to easily steal some older Kia cars.
The device is an ignition cylinder protector meant to “combat theft by reinforcing the ignition cylinder body and preventing its removal through the method” shown on social media, Kia says.
A TikTok Trend Inspired by a Missing Part
Kia and Hyundai are both under the umbrella of South Korea’s Hyundai Motor Co. They often build vehicles with shared parts.
Certain older Hyundai and Kia vehicles lack a common anti-theft device called an engine immobilizer. More expensive trims from both brands tend to have the part. But base models from before 2021 often don’t.
In 2021, a series of social media videos taught how to start them with a screwdriver and a USB cable.
That triggered a nationwide wave of thefts. A 2022 insurance industry report showed that loss claims for 2015-2019 Hyundai and Kia models were nearly twice as common as claims for vehicles made by any other manufacturer.
Some major insurance companies have begun declining coverage on specific models in some states because the theft risk is high enough to throw off actuarial calculations.
The videos don’t tend to explain which models lack immobilizers, so thieves often break into Kia and Hyundai models that have immobilizers before abandoning attempts to steal them. Even owners whose cars have immobilizers can find them with broken windows and dismantled steering columns.
Kia Has Tried Several Ways To Stop This
The new armored ignition cylinders are just Kia’s latest attempt to stem the trend. The company offers a free software upgrade meant to stop the thefts.
The software creates a workaround for the lack of an immobilizer. When an owner locks the car with the key fob, it will only allow the car to restart once it is unlocked with the key fob.
In the rare circumstance that a customer locks the car with the key fob and unlocks it with the physical key, it will not start until they press the unlock button on the key fob.
Not Available for Every Model
Kia says the armored ignition cylinder will be offered only to owners whose cars can’t receive the software update.
Those include the:
▪ 2011 – 2016 Sportage
▪ 2011 – 2016 Forte
▪ 2010 – 2022 Soul
▪ 2011 – 2021 Rio
▪ 2014 Sedona
After installing it, Kia dealers will add a window sticker warning potential thieves that it’s there.
Kia says it will reach out to eligible owners. But you can visit https://ksupport.kiausa.com/ConsumerAffairs/SWLD today to determine if your car is eligible.
