According to the American news agency AP, theft of Hyundai and Kia models has finally decreased. research from the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI). This news comes after Hyundai and Kia models topped the lists of most stolen cars and in the headlines again and again because they are notoriously easy to steal.
Hyundai and Kia started offer a software upgrade in February 2023, which would prevent the car from starting if the owner’s key or an identical duplicate was not inserted into the ignition. For vehicles that received the upgrade in December 2023, theft claim rates are 53% lower than for vehicles that did not receive the upgrade, according to HLDI data. Keep in mind that only about 30% of Hyundais and 28% of Kias that were eligible for the upgrade at the time had the fix. Today, that number is much better, with the companies claiming that 60% of all eligible cars had the upgrade by mid-July 2024.
The “53%” figure also takes into account much more than just outright vehicle thefts. The HLDI says it includes “claims for damage to vehicles that have been stolen and recovered, theft of vehicle parts, and items stolen from the vehicle.” It estimates that the incidence of “outright vehicle theft” has fallen by 64%, an even more substantial figure.
One reason the HLDI gives for why the numbers aren’t even better suggests that user practices may leave them open to theft, even with the upgrade. For the software immobilizer fix to work, owners must lock the vehicle with the key and not use the keyless entry/exit on the door handle.
One of the theft prevention strategies that Hyundai and Kia are using is a sticker on the window to indicate whether a car is equipped with the new anti-theft software upgrade. Interestingly, vandalism claims were more common on Hyundais and Kias equipped with the new anti-theft software than on those without. The HLDI attributes this to failed theft attempts, which typically leave you with broken windows, steering column damage and more.
“Based on these trends, we expect claims rates for Hyundai and Kia vehicles to gradually return to parity with other brands as thieves realize they’re not as easy to steal and the craze wears off,” said Matt Moore, senior vice president of HLDI.
And if you the software upgrade If you are experiencing this problem with your Hyundai or Kia, we highly recommend that you do this.