A POPULAR $25 tool can help Kia owners keep their vehicles safe from a brazen gang of thieves, and now police are also stepping up.
Infamous videos have flooded social media platforms showing thieves, who dubbed themselves the “Kia Boys,” targeting unattended Kias and Hyundais, stealing the vehicles, and boasting about the crime.
To gain access to the vehicles, the thieves break the driver-side window, hop into the seat, and remove the steering wheel column to expose the ignition.
Then, they use a USB cable to start the engine and speed away.
Owners will often find their vehicles totaled, littered with empty alcohol bottles, and reeking of marijuana, according to The Verge.
In Las Cruces, New Mexico, about an hour north of El Paso, Texas, at least 70 Hyundais and 38 Kias were reported stolen in 2024, according to the Las Cruces Police Department.
At least 50 of the 70 Hyundais stolen were Elantra models, police said.
Now, authorities are encouraging Kia and Hyundai owners to update the latest software in their vehicles as a way to combat the robberies.
The new software requires that the ignition key be inserted before the engine states and extends the length of the vehicle’s audible alarm from 30 seconds to one minute.
Owners can inquire about their vehicle’s software at a Kia or Hyundai dealership or a certified dealer.
Police recommend owners purchase a traditional and sturdy steering wheel lock to add an extra layer of protection.
The sheer presence of a steering wheel lock can make your vehicle less attractive to steal.
Owners can purchase a steering wheel lock on Amazon for as much as $25.
Las Cruces police are also doing their part to assist Kia and Hyundai owners with a 2011 to 2021 model, which does not come with a push-to-start button.
For those owners that have a key-start ignition, police are offering free steering wheel locks on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Owners are asked to present their vehicle registration to prove ownership to receive a lock, Las Cruces police said.
The steering wheel locks can be picked up at the Las Cruces building on weekdays between 8 am and 4 pm.
Police also encourage Kia and Hyundai owners to install additional anti-theft hardware, including alarms and Apple AirTags, to assist police with real-time location information when a car is stolen.
Kia stressed the importance of the latest software update, which the automaker rolled out over a year ago.
“Kia continues to take comprehensive action to enhance the security of our vehicles to prevent criminals from using methods of theft popularized on social media to break the law and steal or attempt to steal certain vehicle models,” the company said in a statement to The U.S. Sun.
“We’re continuing to strongly encourage eligible customers to receive the software upgrade that we developed and rolled out more than 18 months ago that is designed to restrict the operation of the vehicle’s ignition system should a potential criminal attempt to steal a locked vehicle without the key.
“To date, close to 1.3 million Kia vehicles nationwide have received the upgrade and we continue to spread awareness about its availability by establishing a dedicated website with detailed information, hosting off-site events in more than 40 cities to make it easier for eligible customers to receive the upgrade, and partnering with Carfax to inform owners that their vehicle is eligible for the upgrade.
“We have always been confident in the effectiveness of this software upgrade, and a recent independent study found that the software upgrade has successfully reduced theft rates.”
The auto giant also provides free steering wheel locks to owners whose vehicles are not eligible for the software update.
“Kia customers can obtain free, Kia-provided locks through their local law enforcement or they can request a steering wheel lock from Kia directly through the dedicated website,” the company added.
Kia said it has distributed more than 380,000 locks to date.
How to prevent vehicle theft
Here are 10 ways to avoid your car being stolen according to an auto insurance company:
- Lock your doors. It makes it more difficult for thieves to access anything inside the vehicle.
- Keep your keys on your person. With smart keys and fobs, a car can be unlocked if the key is close by. If the key is inside or on your person, it can’t be unlocked.
- Don’t leave a spare key near the vehicle, as thieves know to look for them in common places like in a wheel well, under items in the driveway, or in the glovebox.
- Keep windows closed. If a window is open, thieves can manually unlock the doors.
- Park in well-lit areas, as it helps detour thieves if their actions are visible to passersby.
- If your vehicle doesn’t have one, consider an anti-theft alarm system.
- If you live in a high-crime area, consider an immobilizer device that utilizes a kill switch if the device doesn’t recognize an authorized key.
- Consider a tracking device to be able to keep tabs on your vehicle’s location if it’s stolen.
- Never leave valuables in the car, especially in a visible spot. Thieves know to look in the floor boards, passenger, or rear seats for valuables.
- Double-check before leaving the vehicle that it’s secure.
- To protect wheels and tires, especially aftermarket wheels, consider wheel lock lug nuts. They require a special socket to remove, so they’re impossible to remove without it.
Source: Allstate Auto Insurance
