Because of the challenge game on TikTok, millions of Hyundai and Kia vehicles have to update anti-theft software

Not long after a clip of a car unlock challenge went viral on TikTok causing unpredictable damage, two famous Korean car brands, Hyundai and Kia are starting to offer free software updates to their customers. his millions of cars to fix this problem.

According to a report by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, this challenge clip called “Kia Challenge” is believed to have caused hundreds of car thefts across the US, including at least 14 reports. accidents and eight deaths. Thieves known as “Kia Boyz” will post instructional videos on how to bypass the vehicle’s security system with tools as simple as a USB cable.

These thefts are easily carried out because many Hyundai and Kia vehicles manufactured between 2015 and 2019 lack electronic immobilizers, which are designed to prevent vehicle thefts by breaking in and out. ignition system. Meanwhile, this feature is a standard equipment on nearly all other car brands produced during the same period.

Hyundai and Kia are currently providing an update to “theft alarm logic software” to extend the alarm sound time from 30 seconds to one minute. After the update, these cars also require the key to be in the switch to be able to start.

The software upgrade also modifies certain control modules on Hyundai vehicles equipped with the standard “unlock to start” ignition system. Therefore, locking the door with the smart key will turn on the alarm and activate the “turn off ignition” feature, making the car unable to start, when the suspect is trying to steal the car according to the clip on TikTok. . At this time, the car owner must use the smart key to unlock the car, to be able to disable the “ignition off” feature.

There are no national statistics on how many Hyundai and Kia vehicles have been stolen because of this viral TikTok trick, but individual local figures show how the trend is spreading. . In Milwaukee, for example, in 2020 police reports said 469 Kia and 426 Hyundai vehicles were stolen. But by the next year, the NPR report said that number had skyrocketed to 3,557 Kias and 3,406 Hyundais.

In total, about 8.3 million vehicles will receive this free update, including 3.8 million Hyundai vehicles and 4.5 million Kia vehicles. Vehicle owners are instructed to take their vehicle to their local dealer and technicians will install the update in less than an hour. Updated cars will also have a decal on the car glass indicating that they have been equipped with new anti-theft technology.

Starting this week, owners of the 2017-2020 Elantra, 2015-2019 Sonata and 2020-2021 Venue will begin receiving the update for their vehicle. Other models including the Kona, Palisade and Santa Fe will begin to be updated from June 2023. Customers can enter their identification number (VIN) into www.hyundaiantitheft.com/ to see if the vehicle is available. Did you receive the update or not?

Previously, Hyundai used to charge at least $ 170 for a security kit used to fix this error. If you include the installation, the total cost can be up to 500 USD. In addition, Hyundai and Kia also provide some car owners with wheel locks to prevent theft. According to the US National Transportation and Safety Administration, these companies have handed out about 26,000 of these wheel locks to users since November 2022 to date.

Refer to The Verge, Gizmodo