Far Rockaway drivers just got a pointed warning from their local precinct about a social media-fueled wave of car thefts that has made some Kia and Hyundai owners especially nervous. On Thursday, the NYPD's 101st Precinct put out a blunt safety reminder on X, telling residents that thieves have learned to bypass ignitions with basic tools and urging a mix of common-sense habits and extra hardware to keep cars from disappearing.
Precinct Lays Out Playbook To Guard Your Ride
The 101st Precinct did not sugarcoat it. In its post, the command told drivers to "always shut the ignition upon exiting" and to remove keys and key fobs every time they leave the vehicle, according to the precinct's post. From there, the advice ramps up: activate alarms, use steering wheel locks, and park in well-lit spots whenever possible.
The post also warned that thieves have been able to bypass ignitions using something as simple as a USB cable. To make that trick much harder, the precinct suggested installing physical protections such as ignition kill switches or battery disconnects so a car cannot be started without an extra step the owner controls.
How The TikTok-Fueled Vulnerability Started
The current mess traces back to a viral "Kia Challenge" video that showed how certain Kia and Hyundai models could be started with a USB cord, and it revealed that many older models do not have engine immobilizers that would normally block that kind of hot-wiring, according to Business Insider. Once the hack hit social media, thefts of the affected models surged in cities around the country.
State attorneys general then stepped in. The California Attorney General has announced that a multistate settlement will require Hyundai and Kia to offer free anti-theft software updates and ignition-cylinder protectors to eligible owners, along with other remedies, per the California Department of Justice.
What Kia And Hyundai Owners Should Be Doing Now
Hyundai and Kia are now rolling out software and hardware fixes for eligible vehicles. Kia says owners can plug their VIN into the company’s support site to see if their car qualifies and then schedule a free installation of an ignition protector or software upgrade, according to Kia America.
Until appointments are booked and repairs are done, the 101st Precinct’s basics still matter: lock the doors, remove valuables and keys, set any built-in alarm, and think about visible deterrents like steering wheel locks or wheel clamps to make a quick grab much less appealing. Pairing a dealer-installed fix with old-school deterrents gives owners the strongest shot at preventing fast, smash-and-grab style thefts.
How To Report Thefts And Suspicious Activity
If your car is stolen, call 911 immediately and contact your insurance company as soon as you can. For local follow-up and neighborhood concerns, the city lists the 101st Precinct’s contact information on its site, per the 101st Precinct page.
To flag suspicious behavior that has not yet turned into an emergency, the city recommends using the 1-888-NYC-SAFE hotline and the 311 non-emergency service, according to city guidance.
For now, the most effective moves are not fancy: lock up, take the keys, and ask your dealer about a free software update or ignition protector. Between the precinct’s checklist and the manufacturers’ anti-theft campaigns, drivers have more tools than they did when the "Kia Challenge" first went viral, even as longer-term fixes keep rolling out.
