Yes, if you have the correct equipment, getting into the Elantra appears to be rather simple. However, your Hyundai Elantra shouldn’t cause you too much concern because it didn’t make the top 10 list of most stolen vehicles in America for 2020.
Even given the evidence showing Elantras are simple to break into, the list is largely consistent from year to year, and it doesn’t appear that the bad guys are targeting them. The Honda Civic continues to hold the title of reigning hot-car champion. Other well-known models including the Toyota Camry, Toyota Corolla, Nissan Altima, and oddly enough, Jeep Cherokees are also on the list.
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According to MPD, thieves like Kia and Hyundai models because they are simpler to steal.
MEMPHIS, Tennessee – In Memphis, thefts of two specific car manufacturers are on the upswing. The principal targets are Hyundai vehicles made after 2015 and Kia models made after 2011.
They are the easiest cars to steal, according to experts, but there are techniques to deter criminals.
How could someone take something that someone has worked so hard to earn? said Tyler Stitt.
Stitt claimed that after returning from work last month, his Kia Optima was gone when he awoke the following morning.
“There were several Kias available when I went to the impound lot. While my wife and I were out there, they even pulled in a Kia that was still functioning. They had abandoned, “Stitt remarked.
It’s not just him. According to Memphis police, thefts of Kia and Hyundai vehicles, particularly key start models, have increased recently.
The steering column is taken apart, and the thieves use force to override the ignition.
“With these Hyundais and Kias, the steering column is peeled off, a phone charger is installed, and the key’s chip is overridden. Watch this as well “said the man in the video. “Thus, I received ACC. Fire in the hole, keep an eye on this.”
After videos on social media platforms like TikTok demonstrated how simple it is to hotwire cars, the trend spread across the country.
“The steering column is currently in shambles. In the backseat, they peed. Because they continued to drive on it until the wheel cracked, the driver’s side tires are completely destroyed “Alena Clark spoke with FOX13.
Without even considering the body damage, Clark estimated that the cost would be $5,000.
And to make matters worse, according to Clark, the suspects used her car to perpetrate other crimes.
“They forced a man to give up his wallet before taking money from his bank account. utilized the money to post a bail after that “Clark claimed.
Benni Cobb, a retired captain with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, advised getting a steering wheel lock to deter burglars.
Cobb advised getting a steering wheel lock and placing it over the steering column to prevent theft and breakage.
“You can purchase a GPS tracking device. That comes after the event, of course. Having a motion detector in your car will truly alert you if someone enters, “said Cobb.
Memphis police ask that you contact Crime Stoppers at 901-528-CASH if you see someone committing a crime on TikTok or any other social media app.
Install the FOX13 Memphis app to get notifications of breaking local news.
Trend on social media encouraging theft of Kia and Hyundai automobiles
(3TV/CBS 5) PHOENIX The Kia Leslie Sison loves to drive. She adores the way it rides and feels. She dislikes the possibility that someone may steal her car easily. It’s unsettling to consider how simple it is for individuals to post it on social media, and explaining how to steal it is even worse, said Sison.
After learning that Kia and Hyundai automobiles are being stolen in historic numbers around the nation, the Queen Creek mom is one of many Arizona car owners on high alert.
A new social media craze has been started by a lot of TikTok movies showing how simple it is to steal big SUVs and cars using just a USB connection. According to reports, there is no anti-theft mechanism that would stop thieves from using USB connections, like a key, to start the engine in Kia cars made from 2011 to 2021 and Hyundai models made from 2015 to 2021.
According to several law enforcement organizations in the Phoenix area, there hasn’t been a rise in car thefts involving Kia and Hyundai vehicles. They believe it is only a matter of time, though. Probably within the next two weeks, we anticipate this to affect Arizona, according to Chandler Police Department Sgt. Jason McClimans. We want to ensure that the public is informed so that you do not become a victim of this,
Police advise owners of Kia or Hyundai vehicles to install a steering wheel lock, a GPS tracking device, or an anti-theft kill switch. Sison declared, “I will surely take more measures and care to protect my car.
According to a class action complaint filed in at least two states, Kia and Hyundai purposefully chose not to install the anti-theft systems in order to save money. No announcements of any recalls addressing the issue have been made.
“A selection of trim levels whose thefts have increased in your area have been reported to Kia America. An immobilizer is installed on all 2022 models and trims either at the start of the year or as a running change. The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards are met or exceeded by all Kia vehicles sold in the United States “The statement from Kia said.
“The spike in local auto thefts worries Hyundai Motor America. Our major goal has always been and will continue to be the safety and well-being of our clients and the neighborhood. All new Hyundai vehicles come standard with engine immobilizers, and these vehicles meet or exceed Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards “The statement from Hyundai said.
Auto thefts have increased as a result of Hyundai and Kia vehicles being too simple to steal.
MINNEAPOLIS — Particularly in the past month, Milwaukee Police have noticed a significant increase in car thefts. Suspects are specifically targeting Kia and Hyundai vehicles, according to MPD.
Suspects are seen on surveillance footage breaking into the Hyundai of Stan Davis’ neighbor in Riverwest. His security system demonstrated that they were able to get the car in under 90 seconds.
In order to avoid setting off the alarm, Davis claimed, “You can see them climbing through the broken window rather than opening the door.”
His kid, who works at Expert Electronics, is not surprised. People coming in to get additional protection installed in their automobiles is increasing significantly, according to the staff.
“Many of our customers have come in with alarms for their cars. Particularly many Kias and Hyundais currently for the alarms, “Douglas Davis noted.
Furthermore, Hyundai and Kia automobiles are simple targets for theft, according to Milwaukee Police Sergeant Efrain Cornejo. Unlike with the majority of current vehicles, they don’t require key fobs to be stolen.
Sergeant Cornejo remarked, “It’s something we are used to seeing with the older autos.
In comparison to this time last year, the MPD reports a sharp increase in car thefts during the past month. 329 automobiles were stolen in Milwaukee in 2020. There were 831 at the same time period this year. That is an increase of 153%. Additionally, more than 60% of those vehicles were either Hyundai or Kias.
The fact that these criminals are not simply taking the cars for fun rides worries the authorities the most.
“Some of them engage in other criminal activities, such as robberies, in addition to reckless driving. Therefore, that is a worry we have, “Cornejo remarked.
According to MPD, thieves target any Kia automobiles produced in 2011 or after. Additionally, they are targeting any Hyundai produced in 2015 or later. Police advise utilizing a steering wheel lock in addition to an alarm to dissuade burglars.
Why Car Theft Is Common in Your Kia and Hyundai
Is your 2011 or newer Kia burglary-proof? How’s your Hyundai, model year 2015 or later? Car thieves are heavily targeting both, but there is a simple fix.
In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, police are noticing a startling increase in the theft of Hyundais and Kias that are 2015 model year or newer. There is a low-tech cause and a high-tech fix.
According to Milwaukee television stations, car thefts have increased by 160% since last year as a result of the theft of Kia and Hyundai models. In Milwaukee, 2,949 cars have been reported stolen since the beginning of the year, according to the raw figures. Hyundai automobiles 973 and 947 were represented by stolen Kias. 1,201 thefts occurred at this time last year, including 34 Kia and 58 Hyundai.
Police won’t say why the models are so desirable to thieves, but some security professionals believe it has to do with key fobs. The aforementioned Hyundai and Kia vehicles have a serious technological issue in that they can be started without key fobs.
All that is required by criminals is to enter the vehicle, perform their voodoo to steal it, and then take off. They break the windows and enter the automobile while avoiding setting off the alarms. According to Milwaukee PD, the cars are then used to commit more crimes. These aren’t “harmless” rides in a car.
For owners of Kia and Hyundai vehicles, there is a decidedly non-technical solution to the issue. Avoid rushing out to acquire an expensive car alarm system that would immobilize your vehicle if it senses broken glass. The latter is a useful feature, but who is actually interested in auto alarms? Once they rapidly gain inside, the thieves can quiet the alarms and drive off with your car.
Investing in a steering wheel lock is the wisest course of action. Some people refer to them as “The Club.” These solid metal objects prevent you from driving your car. Imagine them as the indoor version of the Denver Boots that are applied to vehicles that have received parking ticket penalties.
If you install a steering wheel lock on your Hyundai or Kia, it won’t be taken easy. What they can’t steer, thieves won’t steal.
By the way, Hyundai and Kia have been contacted by Milwaukee police to recall the automobiles. It would seem that resetting the key fobs and other straightforward security measures could resolve the problem.
Due to a “defect,” Hyundai and Kia vehicles are easier to steal, a class action lawsuit claims
According to officials, car thefts are on the upswing in our region (New Jersey). However, a new class action lawsuit claims that some vehicles, regardless of where you live, may be a little simpler to steal as a result of a fault.
All 2011–2021 Hyundai and Kia automobiles are allegedly “simple to steal,” unsafe, and worth less than what owners bought because of a vulnerability afflicting the vehicles’ ignition systems, according to a 33–page lawsuit out of Iowa.
The case claims that Hyundai and Kia vehicles produced between 2011 and 2021 were built and engineered without “engine immobilizers,” a technological security feature that “makes it more difficult to start a vehicle without a key.”
A car burglar only needs to “remove the ignition column… then stick a USB drive, a knife or some other similar tool to start the vehicle without a key or code to steal one of the Hyundais or Kias at issue,” according to the lawsuit. After that, a stolen car can be driven at will, according to the lawsuit.
According to news sources, a social media “trend” has led to the spike in Hyundai and Kia vehicle thefts, particularly in Florida.
According to the lawsuit, Hyundai and Kia were aware that every vehicle produced from 2011 to 2021 was “defective in this manner” but failed to inform customers of the issue. In this instance, even though the automakers had the capability to equip the vehicles with an engine immobilizer or a similar device, they chose not to do so while being aware of how risky it would be to do without the essential theft-prevention step.
Even now, the defendants acknowledge that there is a theft and safety issue with these cars, but they won’t fix them, provide buyers compensation, or do anything else to address the issues their defective cars are causing.
According to media sources, the Hyundai and Kia theft issue has gotten so serious that Milwaukee and other cities have requested the automakers to intervene and take action, but have been met with silence. According to the same reports, dealers are finding it difficult to maintain enough inventories of replacement parts, such as lock cylinders, to repair vehicles that have been recovered due to an increase in Hyundai and Kia thefts.