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Hyundai and Kia car thefts fall sharply after software upgrade, study finds (www.cbsnews.com)

submitted 4 months ago by [email protected] to c/technology

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A social media trend, dubbed the "Kia Challenge," has appeared to compound the automakers' problems in recent years, with people posting videos showing how to steal Hyundai and Kia cars. At its height, the Kia Challenge was linked to at least 14 reported crashes and eight fatalities, according to figures from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

About 9 million vehicles have been impacted by the rash of thefts, including Hyundai Elantras and Sonatas as well as Kia Fortes and Souls. Hyundai and Kia earlier this year agreed to pay $200 million to settle a class-action lawsuit filed by drivers who had their vehicles stolen.

Technology is helping foil car thieves making life miserable for owners of Hyundai and Kia vehicles.

Hyundai and Kia upgraded their cars' anti-theft tech in early 2023. Vehicles equipped with the enhanced software will only start if the owner's key, or an identical duplicate, is in the ignition.

The rate at which the Korean automakers' cars are stolen has fallen by more than half since the companies upgraded their anti-theft software, according to new research from the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI). Hyundai and Kia thefts have soared in recent years after criminals discovered that certain car models lacked engine immobilizers — technology that has long been standard in other vehicles.

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 4 months ago (2 children)

So what was the exploit then? They could get in to the car without the key?

[–] [email protected] 13 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

No engine immobilizer was the ultimate issue. And from what I understand, it was just an issue with models sold in the US, so all this misery was caused by a manufacturer’s cost saving measure.

ETA: To clarify, the cause was a manufacturer’s cost saving measure enabled by the US regulations’ lack of a requirement for engine immobilizers.

[–] PriorityMotif 4 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Yeah, by breaking the window. Then they rip out the ignition cylinder and turn the electrical switch just like on old cars. They didn't put any kind of electronics into the key to prevent this from happening. Most keys from about 1999+ have an NFC type "chip" in them that prevents the car from starting without a key that is programmed to the car.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 months ago

Aah, so it actually has absolutely nothing to do with keyless access and driving like most seem to complain about.