[ad_1]
Hyundai and Kia are rolling out software updates to prevent a raft of car thefts linked to a TikTok challenge that authorities believe has led to at least 14 reported crashes and eight fatalities in the US.
Free update for millions of vehicles missing key anti-theft devices, a problem exploited on social media and leading to car theft.
The released software updates the logic of the theft alarm software to extend the length of the alarm sound from 30 seconds to one minute and requires a key to switch the ignition to start the vehicle.
About 3.8 million Hyundais and 4.5 million Kias are eligible for the software update, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Tuesday.
Hyundai said the update began Tuesday for nearly four million vehicles, starting with a million model year 2017-2020 Elantras, 2015-2019 Sonatas and 2020-2021 Venues. The software update is scheduled to be available for eligible vehicles in June.
“We have prioritized the availability of upgrades for owners and lessees of our best-selling vehicles and those most targeted by thieves in order for dealers to service them first,” said Randy Parker, CEO of Hyundai Motor America.
Kia says it has already started updating the software for some vehicles.
Seattle is suing an automaker after a spate of thefts
In September, the Highway Loss Data Institute, a unit of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, found that Hyundais and Kias without immobilizers had a vehicle theft claim rate of 2.18 per 1,000 insured vehicle years. The rest of the industry combined has a rate of 1.21. An insured vehicle year is equivalent to one insured vehicle in one year.
The institute compared vehicles from model years 2015 to 2019. It studied vehicle theft claims from 2021.
Hyundai says that all models produced after November 1, 2021, will have an immobilizer as standard equipment.
The TikTok social media challenge has put the spotlight on the lack of vehicle immobilizers and caused at least 14 accidents and eight fatalities, according to NHTSA. The challenge showed TikTok viewers how to fasten Kia and Hyundai cars with a USB cable and a screwdriver.
Hyundai and Kia will begin software updates later this month, with the next phase over the next few months. Hyundai will also provide vehicle owners with window stickers that alert thieves that the vehicle has anti-theft protection.
The city of Seattle last month sued Hyundai and Kia for failing to install anti-theft technology in some models.
“Kia and Hyundai chose to cut corners and cut costs at the expense of customers and the community,” said Ann Davison, attorney for the city, in a statement. “As a result, our police force has had to deal with a huge increase in vehicle thefts and the associated problems with long-standing resources.”
Seattle officials said thefts of Hyundai and Kia cars in July 2022 were 503 percent and 363 percent higher, respectively, than the same month last year.
[ad_2]
Source link