A recent increase in auto thefts across the United States has left everyone baffled. Owners of specific Hyundai and Kia models are being urged to exercise extra caution while parking their cars. Even though modern automobiles are incorporated with advanced safety features, a simple hack to break into a range of cars has taken social media by fire. Social platforms, particularly YouTube and TikTok exhibit that the alleged criminals just need a USB cable to steal cars.
Apparently, a technical vulnerability in several Hyundai and Kia cars enables the thieves to remove the steering column cover and then use a USB cable like a key drive the car away. In most cases, the stolen cars are abandoned shortly and the thieves disappear without a trace. The purpose of stealing the cars is to participate in the viral challenge; hence, they take it for a casual ride and then crash or trash it before dumping it discreetly. Juvenile crimes have been on the rise ever since this bizarre trend took birth; it is indeed devastating how the youth is being manipulated to carry out illegal activity in the name of fun and games.
KIA models from 2011 to 2021 and Hyundai models from 2015 to 2021 have been targeted so far. Your Hyundai or KIA is increasingly susceptible to theft if it was manufactured within the aforementioned years and does not feature a push-to-start button. If you’re wondering why these specific models are at risk, then the answer is that they lack an immobilizer, which is a factory-installed anti-theft mechanism. Immobilizers in most contemporary cars employ a transponder chip to verify a key against the ECU (Engine Control Unit). In a nutshell, the consequences are obvious without one.
The situation is worse than any regular car theft because this has developed into a growing social media trend. A gang that goes by the name ‘KIA Boyz’ is nicking cars and uploading videos to TikTok and YouTube. They are calling it the "Kia Challenge" and encouraging more people to do the same, and it’s evident that their influence is expanding rapidly. The grand larceny began in Milwaukee back in 2021, but now it is happening in many states across the country. Recently, a number of teenagers charged with grand auto theft in Jacksonville admitted to have committed the crime after being inspired by the ‘KIA Boyz’ trend on social media.
On the bright side, Hyundai and KIA have taken note of the issue and made amends to all new vehicles released in 2022. The newer models exclude the flaw that makes it easy for delinquents to bypass the ignition. Unfortunately, this is not very helpful for the owners of older car models manufactured by these corporations. The police in different states that have been dealing with these viral thefts confirm that the majority of culprits are between the ages 14-17. It was also discovered that most of the p-mentioned models were conveniently stolen because they were left unlocked and unattended.
Therefore, anyone who drives one of the vulnerable KIA or Hyundai cars must properly lock all accesses to their car before leaving it in a parking space. In addition it is advised to install a steering wheel lock, in order to make it impossible for the crazed pilfers to move the car. Potential thieves will automatically turn away after they notice that the steering wheel has been jammed in place.
Author Bio
John Adams is a paralegal and lifestyle blogger who concentrates on health/fitness, life hacks, personal injury law, and home-improvement. He encourages readers to fight for their rights and overcome obstacles holding them back. He believes that every person can improve the quality of his/her life by thinking positive and making better choices.