By Ed Piotrowski
Hyundai has recently become the focus of social media… for all the wrong reasons. Users have shared videos of how easy it is to steal certain models sold by the Korean automaker. The uptick in thefts starts in late 2021. Although Hyundai has provided affected owners with free steering wheel locks through local law enforcement agencies, it is only now available. added permanent fixes.
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Hyundai deals with rampant theft
Affected vehicles include the Accent, Elantra, Elantra GT, Kona, Palisade, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Sport, Santa Fe XL, Sonata, Tucson, Veloster and Venue built between 2016 and 2021 using the key. traditional to start the engine instead of the more common push-button ignition. For whatever reason, these cars and SUVs don’t have an immobilizer, which is a special chip that communicates with the key to start the engine. Thieves are exploiting this loophole by opening the steering column cover and plugging in a simple USB charger to start the engine. The process takes place in seconds, with perpetrators filming their crimes and mostly posting them on YouTube and TikTok.
A software fix is currently in development, and the automaker is expected to release it, at what we hope will be at no cost, in phases throughout the 2023 calendar. Starting at October 1 is a hardware-based security suite manufactured by a third-party company and sold at all of the brand’s 820 US resellers. It cost $170 plus 2.5 hours of labor to install, which would bring the final total to about $500. The package includes a device that acts like an engine immobilizer along with sensors for glass breakage, tilt and impact.
Note that Hyundai’s corporate partner That has also been affected by the rash of theft. While the two companies share design and engineering resources, they operate as separate entities. The problem for Kia could be much worse as its vulnerable models date back to 2011, and as of this writing, they don’t offer the same anti-theft suite as Hyundai. However, a free steering wheel lock is also available.
CG says:
While free steering wheel locks and software updates are a step in the right direction, they may sound like the proverbial “bandage a bullet wound.” Furthermore, we question the optics of expecting customers to pay up to $500 for a fixture set. Of course, that might not be a problem as Hyundai could end this bill because of the potential settlement for more than a dozen class-action lawsuits that have been filed, alleging that the lack of a suitable engine immobilizer is a defect. With more than 10 million vehicles affected, this could cost the automaker $5 billion along with any attorneys and other settlement fees. If any owner chooses to pay to have this kit installed, save your receipt in case you can eventually get a refund due to the possibility of a lawsuit.
Hyundai deals with rampant theft
Hyundai deals with rampant theft
