The Kia Boys presented the world with ways to steal Kia and Hyundai vehicles in TikTok, with an easy method that quickly went viral.
With thefts of Kia and Hyundai vehicles on the rise, the company was faced with the embarrassment of the world learning they had left many vehicles vulnerable to attacks by thieves. A fix was presented to quickly make it more difficult for these vehicles to be stolen, but the fix had a flat. This initial fix involved steering wheel locks that are easily defeated by low-skill thieves with a set of lock picks. This means the fix was flawed, and something had to be done.
Why has it been easy to steal Kia and Hyundai vehicles?
The biggest problem with the vehicles being stolen is they lacked an immobilizer that would either prevent the engine ignition and fuel pump from activating or the starter from engaging without a proper key. Add the fact that a male USB end is the correct shape to turn the steering column switch, and the ignition lock cylinder can easily be removed, and the Kia Boys theft video showed that a Hyundai or Kia could be stolen quickly.
Why is this only a problem in the United States?
Many drivers lament the stricter regulations and rules imposed in the United States compared to other countries, but engine immobilizers aren’t regulated or required in vehicles driven in the US. Other countries, such as Canada, Germany, the UK, and Australia, all have laws requiring these immobilizers to be standard in all vehicles. It seems there will be a new law passed to ensure these features are standard on all vehicles, despite nearly all vehicles already coming with these features.
Hyundai offers better fixes for this problem
The ability to steal Hyundai and Kia vehicles has become a hot-button topic, with some insurance companies denying coverage for drivers of target vehicles. To solve this issue, Hyundai is offering software upgrades that can be installed free of charge to keep the vehicle from being started using the Kia Boys system. The company also offers an immobilizer kit that includes a pushbutton starter, but this fix costs $170 which the owner will need to pay.
In order to have the permanent fix installed in your vehicle, you must visit your local Hyundai dealer or one of the pop-up mobile services, which are currently operational in Washington, D.C., New York City, Chicago, and St. Louis County, Missouri. These are the only four areas with pop-up mobile services right now, with more coming later.
How do you know whether or not your vehicle is a target?
The Hyundai and Kia vehicles that can be stolen quickly are those that don’t have a pushbutton starter from the factory. If your vehicle has this starting system, it has an immobilizer built into the car. If you’re unsure whether or not your vehicle is a potential target for theft, you can check your VIN at the Hyundai antitheft site to see if your vehicle is on the list of models that could be stolen using the Kia Boys method.
What does the software fix do to protect the car from theft?
The free fix updates the software for certain vehicle control modules to immobilize the vehicle using the lock button on the key fob. This means the car won’t start until you use the unlock button to open the doors. Once the key fob button is pressed to unlock the doors, it also deactivates the “ignition kill” feature, which is part of the new programming for the system. In addition to this software upgrade, Hyundai dealers provide a decal that shows the immobilizer software has been installed.
Does this fix the problem for all impacted Hyundai and Kia vehicles?
More mobile clinics are beginning to open, enabling owners to visit additional locations to have this fix installed. Unfortunately, not all affected Hyundai vehicles can be programmed with this upgrade. Some models aren’t programmed to accept this upgrade, which means a more old-school solution is a must. This old-school solution is in the form of a steering wheel lock, which can be picked, but at least it’s something. For these vehicles, Hyundai has agreed to reimburse drivers for the cost of these locks.
This new fix gives Hyundai and Kia vehicles a potential security block of the Kia Boys video and the simple method shown to steal vehicles from these brands. Drivers will need to choose between the steering wheel lock, software fix, or $170 starter button immobilizer kit that can be installed at the dealer.
This post may contain affiliate links. Meaning a commission is given should you decide to make a purchase through these links, at no cost to you. All products shown are researched and tested to give an accurate review for you.