- Hyundai and Kia vehicles equipped with software updates are stolen far less often, according to a new study.
- The fix adds an immobilizer device that requires the vehicle key to be in the ignition for the engine to start.
- Despite improvements, thieves are still attempting to steal Hyundai and Kia cars, leading to higher-than-average insurance claims.
Hyundai and Kia owners are doing better, at least when it comes to theft risk. New data from the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) shows a 53 percent drop in theft claims in models that have had their software updated to improve safety.
“The company’s solution is very effective,” said Matt Moore, senior vice president of HLDI. “If you have a Hyundai or Kia vehicle without an electronic immobilizer, you should contact your local dealer to get the software update today.”
Unfortunately, some owners will need to make that call. HLDI reports that about 60 percent of eligible vehicles received a software update in July 2024. The fix added an immobilizer that requires the key to be in the ignition in order to start the vehicle. Kia's Boy Videos circulating on social media during the COVID-19 pandemic show how to steal one of these cars in seconds without a key. Without an immobilizer, the thief can simply run away.
The trend has gotten so bad that some insurance companies have stopped covering the cars. Several lawsuits have been filed against Hyundai Group, including a $200 million class-action lawsuit filed by vehicle owners that was settled in May 2023. The lawsuit covered 8.3 million vehicles from 2011 to 2022. Insurance companies have also filed lawsuits alleging more than $1 billion in damages.
While thefts have dropped dramatically since the software update, HLDI notes that insurance claims are still high for affected models. Even with the update, thieves are still tempted to break into vehicles without knowing that they won’t start. That leads to damage and theft of items from the vehicle. However, at least the vehicle is still parked in the same spot when you arrive the next morning.
“Based on these trends, we expect claims rates for Hyundai and Kia vehicles to gradually decline in line with other brands, as thieves realise that vehicles are no longer as easy to steal and the trend is falling out of fashion,” Moore said.
