Kia And Hyundai's Software Update Is Actually Reducing Thefts

Photo: Hyundai

For the past few years, Kia and Hyundai vehicles have been targeted by thieves thanks to a security flaw popularized on TikTok. The company responded with a software update meant to mitigate the vulnerability, and now we’re seeing the results of that effort. The verdict? It’s better than nothing.

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A report from the Highway Loss Data Institute, reported by Autoblog, says that theft reports of Kias and Hyundais with updated software are 53 percent lower than cars that don’t have the upgrade. Interestingly, though, the data gets more complex from there. From Autoblog:

The “53%” figure also takes into account much more than just complete vehicle thefts, too. The HLDI says it includes “claims for damage to vehicles that were stolen and recovered, theft of vehicle parts and items stolen from inside the vehicle.” It approximates the frequency of “whole vehicle theft” to be down by 64%, an even more substantial figure.

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One of the theft deterrent strategies Hyundai and Kia are using is a sticker on the window to call out if a car is equipped with the new anti-theft software upgrade. Interestingly, vandalism claims were more common for the Hyundais and Kias equipped with the new anti-theft software than those without. The HLDI attributes this to failed theft attempts, which typically leave you with broken windows, damage to the steering column and more.

These numbers aren’t just indicative of overall trends, either. Thefts have ticked upward in recent years, and local news stories indicate that California — the auto theft capital of the United States — hasn’t seen the trend slow in 2024.

Kia and Hyundai’s solution may not rise to the full efficacy of an immobilizer, but it’s prevented real life threats in the real world. That’s something worth celebrating for the folks who still have their cars.