Hyundai and Kia offer free software updates to millions of their cars in response to the emergence of multiple car thefts inspired by TikTok's social media challenges.
According to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the "Kia Challenge" challenge on social media platforms has led to hundreds of car thefts across the country, including at least 14 reported collisions and eight deaths.
Car theft is reportedly easy to do because many Hyundai and Kia cars in 2015-2019 are not equipped with an electronic immobilizer system that prevents thieves by simply breaking the lock and missing the opening of the door.
Hyundai and Kia offer software updates that will extend the duration of the theft alarm from 30 seconds to one minute, and modify certain module controls on Hyundai cars equipped with a standard turn-key-to-start system.
Therefore, locking the door with a key button will set the factory alarm and activate the "ignition kill" feature so that the car cannot turn on while in a viral theft mode. The vehicle must be opened with a key button to turn off the "ignition kill" feature.
About 3.8 million Hyundai cars and 4.5 million Kia cars are eligible to get the software update for free. Vehicle owners are instructed to take it to a local dealer, where technicians will install updates in less than an hour.
Improved vehicles will also get window stickers showing that they are equipped with anti-stealing technology. The update is available for certain vehicles, including Elantra, Sonata, and Venue.
Previously, Hyundai charged the vehicle owner a minimum fee of 170 US dollars (Rp. 2.5 million) to get a security kit to fix the problem. With the cost of installing and labor, the cost could increase to US $ 500 (Rp7.5 million).
Hyundai and Kia also offer wheel keys to prevent theft. NTSA said the two companies had distributed 26,000 wheel locks since November 2022.
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