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Hyundai and Kia are launching a massive campaign of software updates, targeting 8 million vehicles. Insurance companies such as State Farm and Progressive have decided it's too easy for car thieves to simply follow "how-to" videos found on social media.
But software updates won't be available until June for some of the most popular -- and affordable -- vehicles now on the road, according to Hyundai and Kia, which have increased their U.S. sales and market share through the pandemic as the prices of new vehicles usually have involved.
Wide Range of Vehicles Targeted...The upgrades, which are free of charge to current owners, are targeted at a range of subcompact, compact and mid-size vehicles from both brands because their key-operated ignition switches are not equipped with anti-theft immobilizers , which are now industry standard in the US
In response to the rise in thefts of its non-push-button ignition vehicles, Hyundai has prepared an anti-theft software update to prevent vehicles from starting during a theft method popularized on TikTok and other social media channels.
“Hyundai is committed to ensuring the quality and integrity of our products through continuous improvement and is pleased to provide affected customers with an additional deterrent against theft through this software update,” said Randy Parker, CEO of Hyundai Motor. America.
"We've prioritized update availability for owners and renters of our top-selling vehicles and those most targeted by thieves so that dealers address them first," Parker said.
All Hyundai vehicles produced since November 2021 are equipped with an engine immobilizer as standard equipment. Hyundai is also providing free steering wheel locks to law enforcement agencies for distribution to residents who own or lease affected models.
Planned technology upgrade...Hyundai said its service campaign, however, aims to upgrade technology in 4 million vehicles. It all started this week with the update rolling out first to over 1 million 2017-2020 Elantra, 2015-2019 Sonata and 2020-2021 Venue model vehicles.
The software update is scheduled to be available to the remaining eligible affected vehicles by June 2023. The update will be performed by Hyundai dealerships and will take less than an hour to install, according to Hyundai.
Upon completion of the upgrade, each Hyundai vehicle will be affixed with window decals to alert potential thieves that the vehicle is equipped with enhanced anti-theft technology.
Kia promises to make similar changes to its vehicles, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, but will not offer window stickers.
NHTSA said Hyundai and Kia have developed anti-theft software for their vehicles, which do not have an immobilizer. The software updates the anti-theft alarm software logic to increase the duration of the alarm sound from 30 seconds to one minute and requires the key to be in the ignition to start the vehicle.
Social Media Phenomenon...The effort is a response to a TikTok social media challenge that spread across the country and resulted in at least 14 reported accidents and eight deaths. NHTSA recommends that owners of these vehicles contact Hyundai (toll free 800-633-5151) or Kia (toll free 800-333-4542) for information about the free upgrade.
Hyundai will also provide its customers with a window sticker warning would-be thieves that the vehicle is equipped with anti-theft protection. Hyundai will ship the stickers and roll out software updates in a phased approach starting later this month, with subsequent phases over the next few months.
Immobilizers make it virtually impossible to operate a vehicle when it is not started using the correct key or fob. Even in vehicles with encrypted keys or fobs, the addition of this technology has been shown to further reduce thefts by up to 40%.
Source: Joseph Szczesny, Detroit Bureau
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