After thousands of Hyundais and Kias have been stolen because of videos posted on TikTok, multiple lawsuits, and insurance companies raising or denying coverage for certain models, the South Korean automakers have finally come out with a software update that should stop the thefts. At the moment, we know more about Hyundai’s software fix, but we’re hoping to get more information about Kia’s fix soon.
In a press release, Hyundai outlined the software update that will fix the issue for approximately 4 million vehicles. The software update became available for Hyundai owners on February 14, 2023, and is free for affected owners. The models that are eligible for the software update include the 2017-2020 Elantra, 2015-2019 Sonata, and 2020-2021 Venue. Hyundai is calling the software update a “service campaign,” which is fitting since owners will have to bring their vehicles to a dealership to get the update installed. The update should take less than an hour to complete. In addition to getting new software, the vehicles will also get window decals to alert thieves of the upgraded anti-theft technology.
As some people have probably noticed, the new fix doesn’t fix the issue for a lot of other vehicles. Hyundai is still working on a fix for other affected cars, which should become available later this June. The fix that’s coming in June will bring the upgraded anti-theft technology to older 2011-2022 Elantras, 2018-2022 Accents, 2011-2014 Genesis Coupes, 2018-2022 Konas, 2020-2021 Palisades, 2013-2018 Santa Fe Sports, 2013-2022 Santa Fes, the 2019 Santa Fe XL, 2011- 2014 Sonatas, 2012-2021 Velosters, and 2011-2022 Tucsons.
If you’re asking what the software update does, Hyundai’s being vague about the actual fix, which is probably a good thing. Hyundai claims the upgrade “modifies certain vehicle control modules on Hyundai vehicles equipped with started ‘turn-key-to-start” ignition systems. When owners lock the doors of their car with the key fob, it will automatically set the factory alarm and “activate an ‘ignition kill’ feature that stops the vehicle from being started when thieves use the well-documented method to steal the cars. The automaker states that the only way the ignition kill feature can be disabled is to use the key fob to unlock the car.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the software upgrade extends the length of the alarm from 30 seconds to one minute and requires the car’s key to be in the ignition switch to start the vehicle.
For consumers that have an affected vehicle that isn’t eligible for the current software fix, Hyundai wants to point out that it is providing some free steering wheel locks to law enforcement agencies across the country that are distributing them to local residents.
Owners will be notified of Hyundai’s fix via email, a phone call, or a physical piece of mail. The automaker also has a dedicated website where owners can get more information on the fix.
The Drive reports that Kia has also come out with a software fix for its vehicles, which isn’t surprising since Kia and Hyundai share a lot of components and features. A spokesperson told the outlet that “Kia has completed development of enhanced security software to restrict the unauthorized operation of vehicle ignition systems on certain models not equipped with an immobilized.” Kia has reportedly started to notify owners about the software upgrade and plans to make it available for most owners later this year. The automaker urges owners to use Kia’s owner portal to see if their car is eligible for the upgrade.
Source: Autoblog
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