Photo: Kia
Kia and Hyundai have already released a software update to address the infamous Kia Challenge that put a target on the back of nearly every car they sold in the United States. However, not everybody got the patch, and considering some customers claim the anti-theft update doesn't even work, law enforcement started looking for alternatives.
Police in Las Cruces, New Mexico, decided to step in and help Kia and Hyundai customers. People who bought a model without a push-to-start manufactured between 2011 and 2021 (2022 for Hyundai cars) are eligible for a free steering wheel lock.
On weekdays, the police give away the anti-theft hardware at the Las Cruces Police Department, 217 E. Picacho Ave.
The steering wheel locks are an emergency solution as the Kia Boys, a group of teenagers that follow online instructions on how to steal vulnerable Kias and Hyundai, don't show signs of slowing down. The local authorities claim that the Kia Boys have stolen 70 Hyundais and 38 Kias locally. Out of all Hyundais, 49 were Elantras, as this is one of the most popular Hyundai models and also exposed to the Kia Challenge.
Police say customers should also install the software update as soon as possible, but additional anti-theft hardware could act as a deterrent and make potential thieves walk away.
This is the primary benefit of a steering wheel lock. The Kia Boys typically break into cars by breaking the driver's window. Once inside, they remove the steering wheel column to expose the ignition, and using a USB cable, they start the engine and drive away.
A patched car, despite getting a sticker to indicate that it's no longer vulnerable to the Kia Challenge, could still be targeted. The Kia Boys rarely care about the patch and don't scan for the sticker, so they sometimes break into vehicles only to discover they have been updated. They walk away empty-handed, leaving behind damage worth hundreds of dollars.
The steering wheel lock could prevent this problem by acting as a deterrent for potential thieves. Before they smash the side window to get access to the car, thieves could observe the steering wheel lock, so they would rapidly figure out that breaking inside isn't worth the time and risks.
Kia and Hyundai owners can also install additional anti-theft hardware, including alarms and AirTags, to provide the police with real-time location information when the vehicle gets stolen. The AirTag is a pill-shaped device that can be planted anywhere inside the cabin, using nearby iPhones to broadcast its location. Most of the Kia Boys use iPhones, as Apple's device is particularly popular among teens, so the AirTag should be able to tell where your car is located.
On weekdays, the police give away the anti-theft hardware at the Las Cruces Police Department, 217 E. Picacho Ave.
The steering wheel locks are an emergency solution as the Kia Boys, a group of teenagers that follow online instructions on how to steal vulnerable Kias and Hyundai, don't show signs of slowing down. The local authorities claim that the Kia Boys have stolen 70 Hyundais and 38 Kias locally. Out of all Hyundais, 49 were Elantras, as this is one of the most popular Hyundai models and also exposed to the Kia Challenge.
Police say customers should also install the software update as soon as possible, but additional anti-theft hardware could act as a deterrent and make potential thieves walk away.
This is the primary benefit of a steering wheel lock. The Kia Boys typically break into cars by breaking the driver's window. Once inside, they remove the steering wheel column to expose the ignition, and using a USB cable, they start the engine and drive away.
A patched car, despite getting a sticker to indicate that it's no longer vulnerable to the Kia Challenge, could still be targeted. The Kia Boys rarely care about the patch and don't scan for the sticker, so they sometimes break into vehicles only to discover they have been updated. They walk away empty-handed, leaving behind damage worth hundreds of dollars.
The steering wheel lock could prevent this problem by acting as a deterrent for potential thieves. Before they smash the side window to get access to the car, thieves could observe the steering wheel lock, so they would rapidly figure out that breaking inside isn't worth the time and risks.
Kia and Hyundai owners can also install additional anti-theft hardware, including alarms and AirTags, to provide the police with real-time location information when the vehicle gets stolen. The AirTag is a pill-shaped device that can be planted anywhere inside the cabin, using nearby iPhones to broadcast its location. Most of the Kia Boys use iPhones, as Apple's device is particularly popular among teens, so the AirTag should be able to tell where your car is located.
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