Hyundai, Kia Offering Free Steering Wheel Locks, Software Update to Combat Thefts

Hyundai has joined sister company Kia in offering free steering wheel locks to owners of some cars concerned about a spike in thefts. The company will reimburse owners who have paid for a lock out of their own pocket, Bloomberg reports.

The move comes even though both companies began rolling out software in February that closes a critical security loophole in the frequently stolen cars.

Certain older Hyundai and Kia vehicles became common targets for thieves after social media videos in late 2021 taught viewers how to steal them with a screwdriver and a USB cable.

Both companies are under the umbrella of South Korea's Hyundai Motor Company and often build vehicles with common parts.

The theft wave grew so intense that a 2022 insurance industry report showed that loss claims for Hyundai and Kia models from those years were nearly twice as common as claims for vehicles made by any other manufacturer.

Some major insurance companies have begun declining coverage on certain models in some states because the theft risk is high enough to throw off actuarial calculations.

Base models of some 2015-or-newer Hyundai and 2011-or-newer Kia cars lack an engine immobilizer. This common anti-theft device prevents a vehicle from starting unless the correct transponder is built into the smart key.

More expensive trims of older Hyundai and Kia models tend to have immobilizers. But base models don't, making them easier prey than most vehicles for car thieves.

Both Hyundai and Kia say all their 2022 and 2023 models now use immobilizers.

Both companies have begun installing software updates in millions of cars that, the companies say, should solve the problem.

Hyundai tells Bloomberg its update "has been rolled out to 1 million customers, and a further 3 million drivers will be eligible for the upgrade in coming weeks." An update schedule released in February shows most cars eligible by June.

The update is free and takes less than an hour to install.

2015-2019 Sonata

2020-2021 Venue

2011-2016, 2021-2022 Elantra

2018-2020 Elantra GT

2013-2014 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, 2019-2021 Veloster

Kia has not provided a calendar but says it began scheduling update appointments in February.

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