Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution/Kia
The Kia Challenge, which puts a target on the back of every Kia and Hyundai on the road in the United States, continues to cause concerns in the country due to the continuously growing number of cars that get stolen daily.
The two carmakers have already released software patches to prevent car theft in models vulnerable to the hack, but not all exposed vehicles are eligible.
Despite the patch's availability, cars continue to be stolen, likely because car owners ignore repeated calls to install the update and use other anti-theft devices.
Prince William County police decided to step in.
The local authorities decided to start a giveaway campaign (taking place this week) that will provide Hyundai owners with free steering wheel locks. The device will be offered to owners of cars without push to start, hoping that the Kia Boys would stay away from these vehicles and abandon their nefarious plans.
Unfortunately, this isn't always what happens.
Few Kia Boys care (and have the time) to look through the window and scan the car's dashboard. I've seen cases where teenagers still broke a car's window without realizing it's a brand-new Kia no longer exposed to the hack. Others shattered the glass and met a steering wheel lock. Some Kia Boys broke inside cars and discovered a push to start. In all these cases, the teenagers didn't care enough to check their targets before hitting them, producing damage worth hundreds or thousands of dollars before walking away empty-handed.
A steering wheel lock helps prevent theft cases, but it doesn't stop the Kia Boy from hitting the side window in their attempt to drive away.
Hyundai and Kia provide owners who install the anti-theft update with a sticker telling potential thieves that the vehicle has already been patched. However, the sticker is small and is typically ignored by most people.
Prince William County police reveal worrying statistics for car owners, especially those with Hyundai or Kia vehicles. The number of car thefts increased by 55% in 2023 from the previous year, and unfortunately, Hyundai and Kia account for the biggest share.
Meanwhile, while the only way you can prevent the Kia Boys from hitting your car is to put a huge banner on the side telling them it's patched – albeit this could lead to them producing other damage to the vehicle – car owners are strongly recommended to book a service visit and get the latest software. Police also say it's critical to park in well-lit areas and use any anti-theft device you can, including steering wheel locks and AirTags, to monitor the car's location in real time. You should always call the police when you notice the vehicle is missing – the sooner you do this, the bigger the chances for the cops to find the Kia Boys before they wreck it.
Despite the patch's availability, cars continue to be stolen, likely because car owners ignore repeated calls to install the update and use other anti-theft devices.
Prince William County police decided to step in.
The local authorities decided to start a giveaway campaign (taking place this week) that will provide Hyundai owners with free steering wheel locks. The device will be offered to owners of cars without push to start, hoping that the Kia Boys would stay away from these vehicles and abandon their nefarious plans.
Unfortunately, this isn't always what happens.
Few Kia Boys care (and have the time) to look through the window and scan the car's dashboard. I've seen cases where teenagers still broke a car's window without realizing it's a brand-new Kia no longer exposed to the hack. Others shattered the glass and met a steering wheel lock. Some Kia Boys broke inside cars and discovered a push to start. In all these cases, the teenagers didn't care enough to check their targets before hitting them, producing damage worth hundreds or thousands of dollars before walking away empty-handed.
A steering wheel lock helps prevent theft cases, but it doesn't stop the Kia Boy from hitting the side window in their attempt to drive away.
Hyundai and Kia provide owners who install the anti-theft update with a sticker telling potential thieves that the vehicle has already been patched. However, the sticker is small and is typically ignored by most people.
Prince William County police reveal worrying statistics for car owners, especially those with Hyundai or Kia vehicles. The number of car thefts increased by 55% in 2023 from the previous year, and unfortunately, Hyundai and Kia account for the biggest share.
Meanwhile, while the only way you can prevent the Kia Boys from hitting your car is to put a huge banner on the side telling them it's patched – albeit this could lead to them producing other damage to the vehicle – car owners are strongly recommended to book a service visit and get the latest software. Police also say it's critical to park in well-lit areas and use any anti-theft device you can, including steering wheel locks and AirTags, to monitor the car's location in real time. You should always call the police when you notice the vehicle is missing – the sooner you do this, the bigger the chances for the cops to find the Kia Boys before they wreck it.
Google News