San Diego Car Thieves Target Kias, Hyundais and Jeeps as Sheriff Sounds Alarm

Car thieves across San Diego County are once again locking in on a familiar lineup of targets, with certain Kia and Hyundai models and newer push-button-start Jeeps and Toyota Tacomas drawing fresh attention from criminals. Deputies say thieves are exploiting long-known security gaps in older vehicles and weaknesses tied to aftermarket modifications, letting them drive off in a matter of minutes. With theft reports and attempts still rolling in, the Sheriff’s Department is telling drivers to tighten up even the basics.

Yesterday, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office urged owners of vulnerable vehicles to take anti-theft measures seriously and outlined specific steps to do so. The office said the at-risk Kias and Hyundais are roughly model years 2011 through 2021, and added that thieves are also targeting modified Tacomas and push-button-start Jeeps. Suggested countermeasures range from bringing key fobs inside at night and storing them in Faraday pouches to installing OBD-port locks, steering-wheel locks, and hood locks. You can read the full alert from the San Diego County Sheriff's Office.

🚨 Crime Prevention Alert 🚨

Thieves are continuing to target Kia, Jeep, and Hyundai models in San Diego.

Stay vigilant and take steps to protect your vehicle. pic.twitter.com/6DsBRxBqXb

— San Diego Sheriff (@SDSheriff) February 3, 2026

What the Sheriff Recommends

“Thieves are continuing to target Kia, Jeep, and Hyundai models in San Diego,” the Sheriff’s Office wrote, before laying out a checklist of practical defenses. Owners of push-button-start Jeeps and Tacomas are urged to bring key fobs indoors overnight and consider Faraday bags or boxes that block the signal. Drivers with non-push-button Kias and Hyundais are advised to ask dealers about available free anti-theft software updates, and to add hardware like steering-wheel locks, OBD-port locks, or aftermarket alarms. Deputies also recommend registering vehicles through DMV programs and reporting suspicious activity right away. The full guidance is posted on the San Diego County Sheriff's Office website.

Why Kias and Hyundais Keep Getting Hit

The trend is not just a San Diego headache. Nationally, many earlier-model Kias and Hyundais were built without engine immobilizers, a key security feature, making them unusually easy to steal using tricks that have spread through social media videos and online tutorials. In 2023, federal safety regulators and the automakers rolled out a free anti-theft software campaign that changes the start-up sequence so the key must be present to start the engine. Where that update has been installed, theft numbers have dropped.

An independent review by the Highway Loss Data Institute found that theft claim rates for updated vehicles fell by roughly half, although experts caution that some models still need hardware-based fixes. For more background, see the NHTSA announcement and the analysis from HLDI/IIHS.

How to Protect Your Car Right Now

Owners of affected Hyundai and Kia models are urged to contact a dealer to confirm eligibility for the free software update and to get it installed as soon as possible. In the meantime, deputies suggest adding visible, physical deterrents. For push-button vehicles, that can include Faraday pouches or boxes for key fobs. For cars with keyed ignitions, OBD-port locks and steering-wheel locks can slow or stop thieves who rely on quick access.

Drivers are also reminded to park in well-lit, high-visibility areas, clear valuables from the cabin and never leave keys or fobs inside the vehicle. Suspicious activity should be reported to law enforcement, and 9-1-1 should be called if a theft is in progress. For details on the manufacturer fix and how to report tips, see owner resources from Hyundai and guidance from the San Diego County Sheriff's Office.

Law enforcement officials say layered defenses a combination of software updates, add-on locks and smart parking choices remain the best bet for now, while automakers and regulators continue rolling out broader fixes. Owners who are unsure whether their car is eligible for an update, or who spot potential theft activity, are encouraged to reach out to their dealer, insurance company or the Sheriff’s Office for help.