Hyundai Rolls Out Anti-Theft Software Upgrade

Hyundai said Wednesday it’s pushing an anti-theft software update for select vehicles targeted by thieves using the viral TikTok “Kia Challenge.” Both Kia and Hyundai car thefts started to spike in the summer of 2022 after thieves realized they lacked engine immobilizers and anti-theft technology that is standard in other cars.

The software update will be available at five mobile clinics in New York City, Chicago, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Minnesota; and Rochester, New York starting Oct. 28 to Nov. 18. There will also be one-day clinics at car dealerships across the country, but no specifics on when and where those will take place.

Hyundai is notifying customers who are eligible for the upgrade, saying on its site: “Our goal is to get every one of these vehicles into a dealership for the software upgrade.”

The affected Hyundai models are the 2018-2022 Accent, 2013-2022 Santa Fe, and 2013-2020 Elantra GT, alongside 10 other models. The full list can be found on Hyundai’s website which includes the steps to schedule an anti-theft software upgrade.

There are reportedly about four million Hyundai vehicles on the road in the U.S., many of which are “base trim” or entry-level models. These models aren’t equipped with push-button ignitions and immobilizing anti-theft devices. The company said on its website: “While these vehicles are fully compliant with federal anti-theft requirements, Hyundai has taken action to support the safety and security of its customers.”

The Kia and Hyundai thefts started when a group known as the Kia Boyz posted instructional videos on YouTube and TikTok, advising people on how to override the security settings using basic tools like a USB cable.

Hyundai rolled out an anti-theft upgrade in February adding a theft deterrent software that extended the car’s alarm from 30 seconds to one minute and required the driver to physically insert the key in the ignition to start the engine. The upgrade was initially only available to the 2017-2020 Hyundai Elantra, the 2015-2019 Sonata, and the 2020-2021 Venue. Hyundai also offered free steering wheel locks in March, alongside its anti-theft upgrades, to combat the rising spate of vehicle thefts raging around the country.