In just two months, our 2018 LX Sportage has twice been stolen. They use a screw drive to start it after they have punched out the ignition cylinder and the driver’s door lock. We tried the CLUB, but they also appear to be able to get rid of it quickly.
Anyone with a practical solutionother than purchasing a car with keyless entry and push-button startthat would be helpful? Alarms are excellent at drawing attention, but by the time they reach the door lock, the harm has already been done.
In This Article...
Is it simple to steal a Kia?
The “Kia Boys” gang is blamed by authorities for a spate of automobile thefts that occurred in Milwaukee in 2021. More children being out of school and a design weakness in some newer models of Kia and Hyundai cars, according to Milwaukee officials, are the two main causes of the rise in auto thefts.
Why do Kia’s get stolen?
Thefts of cars are on the rise, and according to the police, older Hyundai and Kia vehicles are particularly popular targets since they were more easily hot wired. According to Kent County Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young, the county has already seen as many auto thefts this year as it did last year as a whole.
Which models of Kia are being stolen?
CLEVELAND (WXIX) – The Forest Park Police Department is advising owners of Kia and Hyundai model cars to be cautious since it appears that thieves are picking on those automakers.
According to Forest Park police, six vehicle brand thefts have been detected since June 21. According to authorities, the most common models stolen were Kia cars from 2011 and Hyundai models from 2015.
According to authorities, the theft of these car brands appears to be a part of a national social media trend that is rapidly spreading.
The method for starting an automobile without a key appeared to have acquired popularity on social media, according to Forest Park police.
The thefts recorded in Forest Park since June 21 have occurred in a variety of places, but according to police, three automobiles were taken overnight from sizable residential buildings.
If I’m being totally honest, it’s a terrible trend. It is awful. He claimed on Tuesday that as a result, my car is lost.
Perkins claims that sometime between Monday night and early Tuesday, someone took his Hyundai from his Clifton apartment building.
I don’t know about that, but it kind of makes me steer clear of Hyundai and Kia, he added. “I never really thought it would happen to me, but going forward I think you can’t really watch your car every night, so I don’t know about that.
Police advise taking the following actions if you drive a Hyundai or a Kia model year 2011 or newer:
- Try to leave your car in a safe area, such a closed garage.
- Utilize a steering wheel lock
- Try to park in places that are well-lit.
- Always keep your doors locked.
- Never leave valuables or personal stuff in your car.
- Take into account aftermarket alarm systems or anti-theft tools.
- Any unusual behavior should be reported, especially during the evening or overnight.
If you have any information on the six car thefts, contact the Forest Park Police Department at 513-595-5220. Call 513-825-2280 or 911 to report a crime in progress or suspicious activity.
How are Kias being stolen so easily?
Models of Hyundai and Kia are increasingly the focus of thefts and break-ins nationwide, including here in the Milwaukee metropolitan region. If the vehicle is from a specific model year, security vulnerabilities in the design make it simpler to start without a key.
Your Kia is at risk if it was manufactured in 2011 or later. According to Mark Savage, a contributor to Lake Effect Auto, 2015 models or newer are appropriate for Hyundais.
The back window is not included in the typical security systems for these automobile types, despite the fact that most cars do have them, according to Savage. Therefore, even without a key fob, someone can readily enter the vehicle by removing or breaking the back glass.
“Still usable tools include a screwdriver, a wrench, and, from what I’ve heard, a USB port that can be used to jump start the ignition. Since auto thieves have discovered this, there has been a significant increase, and I believe that demand for old cars and car parts is currently higher “Savage explains.
The problem has been so pervasive that the car manufacturers have partnered with local police agencies to distribute around 2,000 free steering wheel locks with proof of ownership, according to Savage. Kias and Hyundais account for an equal 60 percent of the thefts in Milwaukee.
He points out that vehicles with push-button ignition or engine immobilizers are more difficult to steal. If you move up to the mid-level or upper level, chances are you have that and protection, according to Savage. “It’s almost always the low end versions that don’t have that push button start,” he says.
Hyundai and Kia are currently addressing this issue and implementing fixes.
According to the Hyundai representative Savage spoke with, starting in September, all automobiles will be equipped with immobilizers, and everything will be protected moving forward. Savage didn’t receive a confirmation from Kia, but he has a suspicion that they will do the same because Hyundai owns Kia and many of their vehicles have similar powertrain and engine components.
Savage recommends the following advice if your car model is one of those being targeted:
- Whenever you aren’t in your car, lock the doors.
- If you must park on a public street, attempt to do it under a street light or in your garage.
- Never leave valuables in your car.
- Avoid leaving your title in the vehicle because “[someone who steals the automobile] will find it simple to claim it as theirs, put their address on the title, send it in and either put it in their own name or sell it to someone else.”
- Consider having your VIN number permanently etched into the car’s windows so that “if it’s stolen, it’s evident it’s a stolen automobile” (often located on the plate tucked behind the dashboard near the bottom of the windshield).
Can Kia find a stolen vehicle?
- Service for Emergency Rescue When driving is difficult because of an accident or a natural disaster, the rescue service is offered. The intricacy or duration of the rescue service, however, may result in an additional fee.
- Service for Emergency Towing When driving is not feasible because of a malfunction or accident, an emergency towing service is offered. Up to 10 kilometers from the starting point of the towing, there is no charge. When the free towing distance is exceeded, there is an additional charge.
- Gas Emergency Service When driving is difficult due to running out of fuel, up to 3L of gasoline or diesel is offered without charge. However, emergency fuel service is not an option for LPG vehicles, so emergency towing service is offered instead.
- Service for Battery Charging Free battery charging is available when operating the car is difficult due to battery discharge. If the consumer wishes to have the battery changed, they are responsible for covering the cost.
- Lockdown Service If the vehicle’s key is lost or the doors lock while the key is inside, the unlock service is free of charge (however, the lock of trunk is excluded).
- Exchange of tires The service to change the tire with the spare tire kept in the vehicle is available if driving is difficult due to a flat or damaged tire. However, if a consumer wants to change their tire to a new one, they are responsible for paying the fee. Since handling at the scene is impossible when a vehicle has no spare tire or when two or more tires are destroyed, an emergency towing service is offered.
- Additional emergency services on-site Emergency services are available at the location and are free of charge if driving is not possible. However, the client is responsible for covering any costs associated with repairing or exchanging any part.
- If you need basic information or non-emergency travel directions, use Kia Connect Center. It can also provide urgent assistance in other emergency situations.
- Vehicles that are not registered in Kia Connect are not eligible for services. (For instance, other cars owned by the Kia Connect subscriber client, cars owned by other family members.)
- For the safety of the customer, an emergency towing service is offered when applicable regulations forbid working on roads. (For example, a bridge, expressway, or highway)
- Depending on what the consumer wants, the subscribing insurance provider or Hyundai Hi-car Damage Assessment, a partner of Kia Connect, will offer services for towing, door unlocking, tire change, emergency gas, and battery changing.
- KIA emergency dispatch service is offered in the event of any other item, including the warranty repair. In this instance, the service is governed by the terms and conditions of the customer’s new car warranty.
- Please advise Kia Connect Center of any changes to your license number, insurance provider, or emergency contact information for prompt assistance (1899-2121).
By verifying the theft report to the police, this service is intended to facilitate the swift recovery of a stolen vehicle in accordance with the policy.
When a car is stolen, Kia Connect Emergency Rescue Center assists in the quick and efficient tracking of the stolen vehicle by giving the authorities access to the vehicle’s current location and journey in real-time.
- Once connected to the Kia Connect Center by phone (1899-2121), choose the Theft Tracking Service and follow the ARS instructions to connect with a counselor. The theft tracking service is offered following confirmation of the police report through the customer identification process.
- The Theft Tracking service is not offered for any case that is not reported to the police in order to prevent invasion of customer privacy or misuse of the service.
- The service is only offered when the police request it in order to protect private information and location data.
- Only subscribers to Kia Connect Services are eligible for the service. A specific identification process is carried out for the service.
A text message is automatically delivered to the customer’s mobile phone if the car theft alarm is activated.
Sending an SMS to the customer’s registered mobile phone will stop the theft or towing of the customer’s vehicle if the vehicle theft alarm is activated.
- The signal from the car theft alarm is promptly sent to the Kia Connect Emergency Rescue Center.
- A SMS alerting the theft alarm is immediately sent to the customer’s mobile phone upon signal reception.
- Only when the vehicle’s theft alarm is engaged is a theft alarm notification given.
- Vehicles without a theft alarm system are not offered with Theft Alarm Notification.
- If any door, the engine hood, or the trunk locked by the smart key (or remote key) is opened without using the smart key, the vehicle theft alarm refers to the alarm by flashing emergency lights and activating the alert sound (or remote key).
- The general key can be used to activate or deactivate the theft alarm system in various automobiles (or spare key).
- Theft Alarm Notification is not activated if the door is locked with a key that is not the smart key.
To help prevent accidents, be aware of your driver’s driving circumstances and contact a representative.
In order to automatically detect and concentrate on driving when an alarm is triggered during the operation of the careless driving alarm system, this service establishes a direct telephone connection with Kia Connect counselors.
- The instrument cluster will be alerted to the careless driving situation in the event of a vehicle’s careless driving alarm.
- The Kia Connect emergency recovery center is immediately identified and linked to the customer’s vehicle phone if it is determined that the driver is engaging in careless driving.
- Only when an alarm sounds while the vehicle’s inadvertent driving alarm system is in operation is the inattentive driving notification service offered.
- distracted driving The Inattentive Driving Notice Service is unavailable if the car does not have an alarm system.
I don’t have a key, how can I start my Kia?
Great midsize SUVs include the Kia Sorento. A ton of useful technological elements are also included in it. But you’re in the right place if you’re asking how to start this without a key fob. To find the answers for you, we conducted the research.
Step on the brake pedal and push the Start/Stop button on the engine until the Kia Sorento starts. This may be done without a keyfob.
The Kia Sorento provides you with the ease of starting the engine without having to panic and scramble for your keys, thanks to its user-friendly technology. If you want to know more about starting the Kia Sorento without the key fob, keep reading.
How can I prevent theft of my Kia?
Investigation revealed the what and the why, and after that, Ricart said, “we started making sure that none of those vehicles were left out at night or left alone, and we were parking them inside.
Ricart suggests the following three measures to keep your automobile from being stolen:
- Park within
- Lock your car.
- Purchase an immobilizer.
Additionally, Ricart claimed that the makers of these cars are aware of the issue that makes them targets and are looking for workable remedies.
How can I keep burglars out of my car?
Keeping your vehicle secure: Preventing auto theft tips
- Secure the doors.
- Take the car’s keys out of the ignition.
- Never keep an extra key next to your car.
- Snap the windows shut.
- Always park in well-lit places.
- Install a theft-prevention gadget and an audible alarm system.
- Install a mechanism to disable vehicles.
- Place a tracking device in place.
Which keyless vehicles are stolen the most?
Any vehicle with keyless access puts the community at risk for criminality. Ford Fiesta, Volkswagen Golf, Nissan Qashqai, and Ford Focus are just a few of the well-known vehicles that have been determined to be unsafe.
Why do criminals target vehicles?
10% of all reported car thefts are fake, according to statistics. Because they can no longer afford the obligatory vehicle loan payments or because they want to mislead their insurance company for financial advantage, vehicle owners may stage a fake theft of their vehicle. Therefore, a portion of what is thought to be an issue with vehicle crime may actually be a problem with insurance fraud (Arizona Criminal Justice Commission, Statistical Analysis Center, 2004).
General Description of the Problem
One of the most frequent complaints to the police in residential areas is theft from parked cars. Statistics from the U.S. Department of Justice show that 36% of all reported larcenies fall into this category. Property crimes in particular and all crimes in general are frequently underreported to the police. As a result, the issue might be more serious than the data provided by the police indicate. A nationwide survey conducted in the United Kingdom revealed that just 47% of all car crimes were reported to the police. In contrast, almost all car thefts are reported to the police due to the large financial loss and reporting obligations of the insurance companies.
Police departments across the nation use a variety of terms to describe thefts from cars, including “vehicle burglaries,” “vehicle larcenies,” “car cloutings” (St. Louis), and “car prowls.”
In terms of the worth of the items taken, thefts from automobiles typically have low financial amounts, but they consume a significant amount of police time and raise public safety concerns. With the exception of these thefts, suburban residential districts have minimal crime. However, frequent car thefts in a neighborhood can undermine people’ perceptions of safety and security as well as their trust in the police and other authorities.
Car thefts are a substantial crime concern in many suburban regions, despite generally being a more serious issue in metropolitan areas. Cars are typically stolen for one of three reasons: (1) temporary transit, such as use in another crime or “joyriding”; (2) stripping the car of its valuable pieces for resale; or (3) reselling it, frequently under the pretext of a real car. The great majority of car thefts are carried out for “joyrides” or for transit. 1 Along with increased insurance costs, inconvenience, and monetary losses for car owners, stolen vehicles also pose a threat to the safety of law enforcement personnel and other drivers during pursuits.
Factors Contributing to Thefts of and from Cars on Residential Streets and Driveways
You may better construct your own local analytic questions, choose effective effectiveness measurements, identify critical intervention spots, and choose appropriate responses if you are aware of the contributing factors to your situation. The two most important elements that present opportunities for thieves are probably where and when cars are parked.
Location
in single-family homes. Residents of suburban residential neighborhoods may lose concern for car security due to the areas’ comparatively calm and safe environment. They can leave the keys in the ignition or the car doors unlocked. Their outside illumination is frequently completely insufficient. Thieves may hide under overgrown bushes and other vegetation on the property. An entire neighborhood of open cars and dimly lighted, well-hidden dwellings makes for an appealing scene for thieves.
on the sidewalk. According to data from the National Crime Survey, 37% of car thefts happen on the street in front of the victim’s house. 2 As can be seen in Table 1, a study done in the UK found that a car parked on the street is considerably more likely to be targeted by criminals than a car parked in a driveway. 3 Hampshire (United Kingdom) police found that the pattern was even more concentrated within those streets, with over half of all car offences in Portsmouth occurring on just 10% of the city’s streets. 4
Cars are typically more vulnerable in residential areas close to lower-class socioeconomic neighborhoods (which frequently have higher crime rates). Residents of the high-crime areas just need to travel a short distance to look for valuables or vehicles to steal. They benefit from having local knowledge of the place.
housing subdivisions. Chronic auto crime is less likely to occur in residential subdivisions that are bordered by rural areas and are not served by public transportation. Thieves would have to go to the destination and then wander around in strange districts, where they are more likely to stand out and raise suspicion. Additionally, these locations frequently lack sidewalks, drawing attention to foot traffic in general.
Time
In suburban residential neighborhoods, car thefts and car break-ins typically happen at night. This is due to the fact that at that time the majority of cars are in these locations and that the darkness gives the thieves shelter. Parking lots in residential areas with multi-family apartment buildings may be targeted by thieves during the day since so many people use them, giving the burglars cover. Some big occasions that bring a lot of cars to a place also lead to a lot of car thefts. 5