The Lowell Police Department has reported a concerning spike in thefts targeting specific models of Kia and Hyundai vehicles, a vulnerability linked to a flaw in the engine immobilizer devices that allows cars to be started without the key fob, as documented in a series of thefts escalating since October, according to WCVB. Since the beginning of October, there have been 70 reported instances of thefts involving these vehicles, with a noticeable increase in March, where 22 thefts were reported, and 19 thefts previously in February.
The affected vehicles span across model years 2011 to 2021 and include popular models such as the Kia Forte, Optima, K5, and others, also encompassing Hyundai Elantra, Sonata, among several counterparts, thieves have seemingly taken advantage of parking garages too, where 13% of these crimes were committed. Citing the persistent issue, Worcester police had previously issued warnings about the same problem in January, in a situation that exposes a security breach for certain car owners.
In response to the rise in vehicular theft, Lowell police are urging owners of vulnerable Kia and Hyundai models to check with their dealership regarding eligibility for a free security software update, "My goal is to alert all Kia and Hyundai owners in the City of the options available to them to help reduce the risk of their vehicle being targeted," Lowell Police Superintendent Greg Hudon expressed the urgency of the matter in a statement obtained by Boston 25 News. Additional advice from the police includes using steering wheel locks and other anti-theft devices to deter criminals.
Car owners are advised to contact Kia or Hyundai for more information about the updates, with Kia available at 800-333-4542 and Hyundai at 800-633-5151, in addition to this, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration advises the usual measures: take your keys, lock all windows and doors, park in well-lit areas and never leave valuables in the car, especially in plain sight. The Lowell Police emphasize the importance of these steps in conjunction with the software updates in attempts to mitigate theft risks.
