[Trackerrrr]

A manufacturer has to balance cost against anticipated use and/or loss. Kia could design a much stronger lock but that will cost more money. Would you buy a Soul that had a much stronger lock, but added $1000 to the price of the car? How about $2000?

The bean counters get to tell the engineers how much they can spend on a particular component. Locks for low end Kias and Hyundais ain't gonna be a real high priority on the budget list.

The locks are a deterrent but like I said, a determined thief will find a way around it. That isn't Kia's fault nor should they be 'making it right', they haven't done anything wrong in this instance. If you want a more secure car then spend the coin on something with better anti theft features or an immobilizer. Still won't keep your car from being stolen but it'll take more time.

 

[stargate125645]

I'm not sure why you say they aren't doing anything. Right in the article is a link to another one:

Hyundai, Kia Take Action after Cars Become Theft Targets in Milwaukee

Hyundai and Kia are working with local police to provide owners with steering-wheel locks, and Kia will make engine immobilizers standard on all 2022 models.

www.caranddriver.com

Do you mean you want them to give those items to existing owners?

 

[Trackerrrr]

You should get right on that and start a grassroots movement to get it done being that it's such a thorn in your side.

Also please share your info on this 'industry standard locking' you're referring too.

There's definitely a troll here but it ain't me...

 

[Tripplec]

Most any vehicle is easy to steal. Its purely if they really want yours. Its gone if so no matter what. A club and/or keeping it in the garage minimizes it being stolen but. If they want it. It'll be gone as well.

 

[97Tbird]

I have to admit, if mine was stolen and never found, I would be at a loss to replace it for the $. I wouldn't buy a newer Sorento due to no v6 available anymore, the Telluride is too big for our needs. We would likely just look for another low mileage Sorento or Sante Fe with the 3.3 .

 

[KIA_Dave]

Does anyone know of US national law suit against KIA-Hyundai? If it is known they are easy to steal, hidden kill switch may prevent theft, but they still trash the car getting in. BUT if KIA comes up with a FIX, it becomes known NOT easy to steal and many move on. This increases your safety and your car's value. You are car shopping, car A is easy to steal, car B is not...which do you buy? I'd buy B, and if others do, value of A sinks. How about reporting this as a defect to NTHSA? Also call KIA to complain and ask for a fix. (There are efforts for Snow White Pearl paint issues also). Please get involved. Strength in numbers. 1)File complaint with NHTSA. 2) Call KIA and ask for a fix. OR file complain online with KIA. IF anyone gets results, finds nationwide law suit, share it here...THANK YOU.

 

[Trianas]

This doesn't surprise me at all. I bet if someone were to dig a bit deeper into the theft data, they would find that it is mostly the models that have a regular keyed ignition rather than the push-button start system. The reason is, on the US models with the regular keyed ignition, our Kia's and Hyundai's DO NOT have immobilizers with a chipped key. Apparently, Kia's and Hyundai's built for the Canadian market do get the immobilizer with a regular keyed ignition. I just find this very odd that Kia and Hyundai would cheapen out on that since immobilizer systems have been in place on some cars for decades. I found all of this out when talking to a very reputable locksmith about getting a regular key (without the keyless entry fob) cut for my 2017 Sorento. So all the thief has to do is break out the ignition lock cylinder and start the car.

The videos I watched today said they could use the same usb method on push start Kia’s too. It’s behind the start button. Maybe I got the wrong information but I just bought a steering lock

 

[Trianas]

Here in milwaukee it is still very very common.
"Only stupid kids steal cars for joyrides and those days are pretty much over."

Yes. I just watched a few videos on the Kia Boys today stealing them and just racing down streets crashing them to get followers on YouTube.

 

[KIA_Dave]

KIA chose to sell vehicles in the US without the anti theft transponders they put in vehicles sold in Canada. KIA made a choice and the whole FOB and pretending dealers do about elaborate programming of a device only needed to unlock the car is wrong. KIA should recall these and install the same equipment Canadian KIAs have. Contact KIA online or by phone to complain. Report vehicle defect to NHTSA, 1800+ already have. Strength in numbers! Yes all makes of cars are stolen but when word is out on these being easier due to no antitheft transponder makes them an easy target. Also tgese links & articless note things like "first 100 to show up get free steering wheel lock.." this is not a blanket give away. But even if that was KIA's solution, give every owner a Club it would be a fix. I have contacted KIA & NTHSA online & will post any answer.

 

[caseybea]

And now courtesy of TIK TOK, what (mostly) started here in Milwaukee is spreading across the nation. Watch your cars, kiddies.

TikTok 'Kia Challenge' fuels rise in using USB cables to steal cars

A TikTok challenge has been linked to a spike in using USB chargers to steal Kia and Hyundai cars in Wisconsin, Ohio, Texas, and beyond.

www.insider.com

 

[KIA_Dave]

Spoke to KIA.(Easy way to contact them: 1) use website to get Case ID. 2)Wait 24-48 hrs & call 800-833-4542. follow prompts and enter Case ID. If wait is more than 5 min, they will call you back.). KIA's stance is: The vehicle complies with Federal Requirements when it was manufactured. KIA does NOT have a plan to install transponder anti theft devices or do anything at this time to address it. VOTE!!! 1) Tell KIA how you feel. 2)Vote with your $$ and feet..do NOT buy another KIA or Hyundai. For the record I had great customer service, even after warranty with Chrysler (pre-FCA), and will go back. Had a bad CS experience with FORD in 1990 and like Kia/Hyundai...not going back. An attorney in Missouri/Kansas filed a lawsuit recently, but I do not know if it is for his clients in the Kansas City area or if it will be a nation wide one. Any lawyers own Hyundai or KIA vehicles??? Feel like starting a class action lawsuit???

 

[ron1004]

Lets not start unsubstantiated rants.

You'll probably find other manufacturers from the same time frame that don't have transponder anti theft devices installed from the factory, and they might not be a favorite with the thieves for whatever reason, and doubt the other manufactures are going to retrofit all those vehicles at no cost.

If I had one of the vehicles that are popular with the thieves I install something like this:
car Immobiliser System with Engine Automatic Lock or Unlock Anti-hijacking & Anti-Theft DC12V Easy DIY

 

[wlobo]

Also use this. It's also a visual deterrent to hopefully keep window from being broken,

The Club 1000 Original Club Steering Wheel Lock, Red

Brand: Winner International

 

[DenverBrian]

And now courtesy of TIK TOK, what (mostly) started here in Milwaukee is spreading across the nation. Watch your cars, kiddies.

TikTok 'Kia Challenge' fuels rise in using USB cables to steal cars

A TikTok challenge has been linked to a spike in using USB chargers to steal Kia and Hyundai cars in Wisconsin, Ohio, Texas, and beyond.

www.insider.com

Journalism at its finest: To illustrate a story about stolen Kias, the site uses a pic of an overturned...Nissan.

 

[tom4416]

I'm still unclear as to what some people think you can supposedly sue Kia over - they did not include a piece of optional equipment in certain trim levels. It has nothing to do with (a) safety (b) performance or (c) emissions and therefore doesn't fall under the purview of any government agency (just because you can submit a complaint to a particular agency doesn't mean they are going to act on it or that it is even the appropriate place to file the complaint). I'm much more concerned over the poor quality of headlights in the LX version but, they meet government mandates and so it becomes up to me to upgrade them as appropriate, not Kia.

If people have their panties in a twist over this, how about how easy it is to steal catalytic converters off of most cars? Should manufacturers be retrofitting steel shields because they made them too accessible? Should we be filing complaints with government agencies claiming that the manufacturers have made these a target of thieves?

Some things you just have to either fix on your own dime, or live with it the way it is. This is one of them.

 

[QuantumRift]

I just ordered this off Amazon:

The Club 3000 Twin Hooks Steering Wheel Lock, Yellow

 

[chuckwalla]

I just ordered this off Amazon:

The Club 3000 Twin Hooks Steering Wheel Lock, Yellow

Not a bad idea. Haven't used one of these since circa Y2K.

 

[DefMan]

Only thing I see with steering wheel locks is that a well determined thief will cut the steering wheel to remove it for joyriding. Not sure if the electronics on the steering wheel controls affect the driving.

 

[brsexton]

The videos I watched today said they could use the same usb method on push start Kia’s too. It’s behind the start button. Maybe I got the wrong information but I just bought a steering lock

They aren't going after the push button start Kia's and Hyundai's. They are going for the traditional key start vehicles because there is NO immobilizer on them. The push button start vehicles have an immobilizer, so the same methods can't be used to start them. My issue with all of this is the fact that vehicle manufacturers have been using immobilizer chipped keys for years and years, but Kia and Hyundai only had the immobilizer for regular key start vehicles in Canada. When I purchased my 2017 LX, I just assumed it had an immobilizer because every other modern vehicle on the road has one. The other issue is that the factory alarm system isn't being triggered because they are breaking a window and crawling into the car rather than breaking a window and then unlocking the door. If the thief did it that way, the factory alarm would sound, and the ignition is then disabled until the alarm is turned off. By crawling in through a window and not triggering the alarm, they can then rip the ignition apart and start the car. One simple way to help with this is to get a shock (glass break) sensor and have it trigger the factory alarm. That way, as soon as the glass is broken or the car is vibrated, the factory alarm will sound and the ignition is disabled. That is what Kia/Hyundai needs to install for their customers. I can see insurance premiums going up big time on these cars because of this.

 

[wlobo]

1 Immobilizer chips were not required in the usa..
2 Suv's are still in short supply. sorentos 7,000 to 10,000 over list by me.
3 Why would any car company do an expensive retrofit for free that isn't mandated.
Anything is possible, like winning the big lottery. It sucks but it is what it is.