Hyundai and Kia Commit to Nationwide Anti-Theft Upgrades After Social Media-Fueled Vehicle Thefts
Hyundai and Kia will install new anti-theft hardware in over 4 million U.S. vehicles and equip all future models with engine immobilizers as part of a settlement with attorneys general from 35 states. The agreement addresses a surge in thefts linked to social media tutorials, particularly on TikTok, which exposed vulnerabilities in older vehicles lacking standard anti-theft technology.
Free Anti-Theft Hardware for Owners
Eligible Hyundai and Kia owners will receive free zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protectors, designed to prevent removal of the ignition cylinder—a method demonstrated in viral theft videos. Previously, some vehicles only qualified for software updates. Owners will be notified starting in early 2026, with installations available at dealerships at no cost through March 2027.
Future Vehicles to Include Immobilizers
Starting immediately, all new Hyundai and Kia vehicles sold in the U.S. will include engine immobilizers, which prevent engines from starting without electronic keys. This industry-standard feature was notably absent in models from 2011–2022, contributing to the theft epidemic.
TikTok Trend Tied to Fatalities
Officials attributed the theft wave to viral social media content showing how to exploit these vehicles’ security flaws. By 2023, the trend had led to at least 14 crashes and 8 deaths nationwide, prompting demands for physical hardware upgrades alongside software fixes.
$9 Million Restitution and Broader Costs
Hyundai and Kia will pay up to $9 million to cover consumer reimbursements and investigation fees. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison noted the total retrofit cost could exceed $500 million, emphasizing the automakers’ prior failure to include basic anti-theft tech: “Unleashed a wave of auto thefts [that] cost Minnesotans their cars, money, and sometimes their lives.”
Automakers’ Responses
- Hyundai: Called the settlement a “step forward” in combating thefts tied to social media trends.
- Kia: Stated the hardware modification “directly counters the theft method” shown online.
Background and Prior Actions
The agreement follows a 2023 $200 million class-action settlement over the same issue. While software updates were rolled out to 8.3 million vehicles last year, officials argued physical reinforcements were critical for full protection.
