In response to a spate of auto thefts targeting Hyundai and Kia models, Hyundai has descended on Austin, setting up camp at Burger Sports Complex to offer free anti-theft software upgrades. From Friday morning through Sunday, Hyundai owners can swing by the complex on Jones Road for the update that requires no prior appointment. As an added measure of protection, steering wheel locks will also be available to vehicle owners, organizers told KXAN.
According to city data highlighted by KXAN, Austin has seen a 63% spike in auto thefts from November 2022 to November 2023, with Kia and Hyundai models making up over a third of all vehicles stolen despite comprising under 10% of the car population in Travis County. Kia and Hyundai have been under the gun after a "design vulnerability" reportedly made their cars an easy pick for thieves.
Not content to stand by, Kia and Hyundai have initiated a nationwide campaign, creating a theft deterrent software in direct reaction to a troubling trend ignited by a TikTok challenge. This digital wave has so far been linked to at least 14 crashes and eight fatalities. The new software revision aims to amplify the vehicle's alarm duration from 30 to 60 seconds and necessitates the key be in the ignition to start the car. NHTSA is pushing owners to get the updates posthaste, accessible by ringing Hyundai or Kia on their respective toll-free numbers.
Beyond software, Hyundai is amping up visibility in a bid to deter would-be criminals, preparing to distribute window stickers that announce a vehicle's anti-theft posture. Spreading the updates in a phased manner, Hyundai promises an initial rollout, later this month, which will precede several months filled with further phases of upgrades. Matching their efforts, Kia's software updates will also be phased, as part of a broader campaign to patch up the security holes that have been severely exploited. Steering wheel locks have been distributed, committed to partnering with law enforcement to distribute, surpassing 26,000 units since last November, agencies in a concerted effort that spans 12 states and 77 agencies, according to a statement acquired by NHTSA.
The wave of auto thefts has caught the attention of the Austin City Council, too. In January, the council pushed through a resolution calling on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to consider recalling the at-risk models. With the collaboration of vehicle manufacturers and law enforcement, and the proactive measures taken by city officials, car owners in Austin and across the nation may soon breathe a bit easier when locking up their Kias and Hyundais.
