Hyundai has released a free anti-theft software upgrade to stop the vehicles from beginning through a theft method made popular on TikTok and other social media platforms in response to the theft risk in its vehicles without push-button ignitions and immobilizing anti-theft devices in the US.
The service campaign covers about 4 million automobiles. Beginning with coverage for the 2020–2021 Venue, 2015–2019 Sonata, and 2017–2020 Elantra. By June 2023, all remaining eligible afflicted automobiles will be included. Hyundai dealers will install the free security upgrade, which will take less than an hour.
Once finished, a window decal will be applied to each car to alert thieves that it is outfitted with improved anti-theft technology. Hyundai is also giving away free steering wheel locks to law enforcement organizations so they can provide them to locals who own or rent the impacted vehicles.
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Why are companies offering these upgrades?
According to a statement released by the company on Tuesday, Kia has also offered some customers additional security software, which should be accessible in the coming months.
Kia declared it would keep providing free steering wheel locks to impacted consumers via law enforcement organizations.
After Progressive and State Farm suspended providing new policies for some Hyundai and Kia vehicles from coverage due to increased thefts, the software upgrade followed.
Police think that a social media craze in which people show how to start automobiles without keys contributes to the spike in thefts of Hyundai and Kia vehicles.
The most affected vehicles were Hyundai vehicles made after 2015 and Kia vehicles made after 2011.
According to the Highway Loss Data Institute, the absence of electronic immobilizers makes automobiles easier for car thieves to steal. It makes it possible for thieves to get entry and disable the ignition.
All Hyundai vehicles built since November 2021, the company claims, have an engine immobilizer. Additionally, the automaker provides free steering wheel locks to affected consumers, which they may pick up from law enforcement organizations.
According to the company, “some 2011–2022 model year vehicles without engine immobilizers cannot handle the software upgrade.” Hyundai is putting the finishing touches on a program to pay these consumers for the cost of their steering wheel locks.
The affected Kia vehicles were produced between 2011 and 2021; according to the company, they include a steel key that must be “inserted and turned to start” the ignition.
According to a Hyundai representative, starting in November 2021, engine immobilizer will be standard on every Hyundai vehicle built. According to a Kia spokesperson, the technology is now required on all cars and has always existed on the company’s push-start models.
How do I get the upgrade?
The software upgrade, which the company claims will be installed in less than an hour, will be handled by Hyundai dealers.
According to the firm, every vehicle that receives the modification will have a window decal to deter would-be car thieves.
According to Randy Parker, CEO of Hyundai Motor America, “Hyundai is committed to ensuring the quality and integrity of our products through continual development and is glad to give affected consumers an additional theft deterrent with this software upgrade.”
To ensure that dealers can provide the upgrade to owners and lessees of our best-selling vehicles and those that thieves target most frequently, we have given them a priority.
Although Hyundai is Kia Motors’ parent company, the two companies are independent.
Brown stated that he anticipates that customers will start calling about the software as soon as dealers have access to it.
According to Brown, there won’t need to be any additional hiring as the patch should be simple enough for staff of any experience level to complete.
According to James Bell, director of corporate communications for Kia, owners can check whether they qualify for the upgrade and get a steering wheel lock by visiting the manufacturer’s website.
Previously, manufacturers distributed complimentary steering wheel locks to local police departments. However, Kia and Hyundai theft rates continued to be so high that big insurers like Progressive and State Farm refused to write new coverage on the cars.
Which cars get the updates?
The updates will be available depending on model year and make.
February 14:
- 2017-2020 Elantra
- 2015-2019 Sonata
- 2020-2021 Venue
June 2023:
- 2018-2022 Accent
- 2011-2016 Elantra
- 2021-2022 Elantra
- 2018-2020 Elantra GT
- 2011-2014 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
FAQ’s
The anti-theft software upgrade is a new security feature designed to provide an additional layer of security to over 4 million Hyundai cars. It includes a range of new security features that make it much more difficult for thieves to steal a Hyundai car.
The software upgrade is available for over 4 million Hyundai cars. However, it’s important to note that not all Hyundai cars are eligible for the upgrade. You can check with your local Hyundai dealer to see if your vehicle is eligible for the upgrade.
The software upgrade is available free of charge to all eligible Hyundai owners. You can take your car to a local Hyundai dealer to have the upgrade installed.