Hyundai and Kia’s new anti-theft software, introduced in early 2023, is making a real impact.
After a surge in car thefts caused by viral social media posts showing how to steal certain Hyundai and Kia models, the companies rolled out a free software update to protect these vehicles.
The software upgrade has led to a significant drop in theft claims. Insurance reports show that thefts of cars with the new software are 64% lower compared to those without it.
Even though the overall number of thefts is still high, the update has been very effective in reducing the number of stolen cars.
From 2020 to mid-2023, thefts of Hyundai and Kia vehicles increased by over 1,000%. Many of these cars, made before 2023, lacked modern anti-theft technology and were more vulnerable to theft. In response, Hyundai and Kia began offering the software update as part of a $200 million settlement.
As of now, around 61% of eligible Hyundai vehicles have received the update. For cars that can’t use the software, the companies provide steering wheel locks as an alternative.
Despite these improvements, thefts and vandalism of Hyundai and Kia vehicles remain higher than average.
The key to maximizing the software’s effectiveness is ensuring that the vehicle is locked using the key fob, not just the door lock.
