ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Kia has worked to reduce a rise in car thefts by offering a software update that makes Kia and Hyundai cars more difficult to steal.
James Bell, a Kia spokesperson, said the company introduced a free software upgrade available at any local dealer, which takes about 30 minutes to complete. Kia and Hyundai decided not to install immobilizers, which are anti-theft devices, in many cars sold in the U.S. from 2011 to 2022, leading to a spike in thefts.
Immobilizers are transponders in the key that communicate with the car and prevent it from starting without the correct key. Cars with immobilizers are more difficult to steal, and the lack of these devices made certain Kias and Hyundais easier targets.
In 2023, Rochester saw about 75 cars stolen each week after social media videos showed how easily these vehicles could be taken. Thieves joyriding in stolen Kias became a frequent problem, leading to injuries and even deaths. A pedestrian was hurt when an 11-year-old driving a stolen Kia ran over him, and 92-year-old pianist Thomas Chase was killed when his car was hit by thieves fleeing police in a stolen Kia.
Bell said, “At the time of this crisis, 95% of the cars on the road had an immobilizer. So why did Kia make the decision not to install this in the cars sold in the U.S.? Well I can’t speak to that. It was a decision that was made well before I joined the company.”
Despite the software update, hundreds of thousands of affected cars remain on the road without the repair. One owner whose car was recently stolen said, “Kia needs to take responsibility. It’s been three years, I believe. Almost. That’s a long time for this to go on.”
Kia has blamed social media for fueling the thefts but acknowledged its role. “But Kia does accept its role in this. While it may have been fed by social media, if those cars had had immobilizers these crimes would not have happened,” Bell said. He added, “What we hear from law enforcement is that car theft is an issue for every brand.”
Kia has now installed immobilizers on all its cars, and the spokesperson said the brand has regained consumer trust, with record-breaking monthly sales over the past five months.
Drivers with a Kia that uses a steel key and was manufactured between 2011 and 2022 are urged to get the free software update and a steering wheel lock. The Rochester Police Department is offering free steering wheel locks to help prevent theft.
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