TikTokers Are Flashing These Hyundai and Kia Cars
A trend that started last summer, and possibly related to the TikTok challenge , is teaching people how to easily connect Kia and Hyundai vehicles with just a screwdriver and a USB cable. Now, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has released a new guide for Kia and Hyundai owners to help protect their vehicles from potential theft.
The TikTok trend began with a “how-to” video guide in which a pair of masked men named ” Kia Boyz ” showed how to plug in a Kia by opening the steering column with a screwdriver and inserting a USB into the ignition cylinder (which just happened to be the same size) to turn it on. ignition. All Kia and Hyundai models made between 2011 and 2021 do not have engine immobilizer systems installed, according to the class action lawsuit , making them vulnerable and targeted for this manufacturer’s defect.
What is being done for Kia and Hyundai owners to protect against theft?
According to Cars.com , Hyundai released a $170 car protection kit in October that costs up to $500 to install. Manufacturers were working with some police departments to provide free anti-theft steering wheel locks to owners of affected Hyundai and Kia vehicles by December, according to Car and Driver .
Now the NHTSA has announced that Hyundai and Kia have released a free security software update solution that updates the burglar alarm software to increase the duration of the alarm from 30 seconds to one minute and requires the key to be in the ignition. to turn on the car.
According to the NHTSA statement, 3.8 million Hyundai vehicles and 4.5 million Kia vehicles are eligible for the software update. Updates for Hyundai will begin first for their most popular and targeted vehicles, with about a million of the following models later this month , according to the Associated Press :
- 2017-2020 Elantra
- 2015-2019 Sonata
- 2020-2021
The update will be available for other vehicles, including Kias, over the next few months until June. Along with the software update, Hyundai is providing window decals that will alert would-be thieves that the vehicle is safe from theft.
You can also contact local law enforcement to see if they are one of the 77 law enforcement agencies in 12 states that provide free steering wheel locks.
How to get software updates
The NHTSA announcement urges Hyundai owners to call 800-633-5151 and Kia owners to call 800-333-4542 for information on when and how to get a software update.