Kias and Hyundais Keep Getting Stolen by the Thousands and Cities Are Suing | A viral Tiktok trend that began in 2021 demonstrated how the companies failed to install a basic anti-theft technology …::A viral Tiktok trend that began in 2021 demonstrated how the companies failed to install a basic anti-theft technology that made them trivially easy to steal.

  • Wander@yiffit.net
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    1 year ago

    It’s worth mentioning that this impacts only US vehicles from those brands.

      • BitingChaos@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        “Push to start” may stop someone driving off in the car, but they are still targets.

        Thieves smash the windows, hop in, see the lack of key startup, then hop out. You still will end making a call to the police or insurance company.

        Having “Hyundai” or “Kia” anywhere on the car makes them a target of thieves, even with push to start.

        • Saik0@lemmy.saik0.com
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          1 year ago

          Nah, the proximity key cars have buttons on the door handle. It’s a dead giveaway sign that it’s pushbutton inside. Most thieves know this/figure it out real quick so they don’t waste their time/risk getting caught.

      • yimby@lemmy.ca
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        1 year ago

        No, but it is the result of deregulation. Similar models sold in Canada don’t have this issue because (drumroll please), federal regulations require immobilizers on new cars. Free market at work folks.

          • yimby@lemmy.ca
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            1 year ago

            A free market requires stringent regulation to function humanely and morally. The two are at odds with each other. My final sentence is a critique of neoliberalism, an ideology in which regulation is reduced and power is given to corporate entities and away from regulators. It’s been impossible to escape in politics since Thatcher and Reagan, and leads to some of the worst aspects of today’s society that we havr to suffer. One of which is the poor people who bought a car assuming it’d be safe, just to find that the companies saved a quick buck to their loss. I hope the people win these lawsuits, but I doubt the justice system has the teeth (or willingness) to prosecute this negligence as it should be.

    • jonne@infosec.pub
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      1 year ago

      Are you sure? This stuff is happening in Australia too. Something about the key hole size being the exact size as a USB-A cable.

      • Hazdaz@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        That’s only a small part of it. The bigger issue was that Hyundai/Kia removed like a 10 cent chip that would have prevented this issue on the US and a few other markets to save money.

        Still, everyone puts the blame on Hyundai, and while they definitely deserve some blame in all this, let’s not forget the fact that people are still actively stealing these cars. These are still scumbag criminals doing this. An average person could see a car with its doors unlocked and the engine running and they won’t hop in and steal it, because they’re not asswipes.

      • ZodiacSF1969@sh.itjust.works
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        1 year ago

        Car thefts are up here anyway, but a lot of it is break and enters where they just get into your house to grab the keys.

        There is a diagnostic USB port in the steering column of the car, they are plugging a cable into that then the car just starts without the key.

        Immobilizers are required here in Australia so it’s not that, I think it just inspired a bunch of kids to go steal cars in other ways.

    • dakku@sh.itjust.works
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      1 year ago

      Can you link any additional information regarding that ? I just got my Hyundai stolen in the EU (from 2019) and last week apparently another one was stolen in the same area.

      • gever4ever@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Did you have an immobilizer on your car? Where I live the insurance basically requires one if you want to be insured, so virtually all private cars have one installed.

        The original article on the TikTok video that has “started” the trend refers only to low end models without one installed, so starting it without a key becomes trivial.

        • dakku@sh.itjust.works
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          1 year ago

          That’s why I’m searching for some answers, cause I don’t really know. It was a Kona model, and last week a Tucson was stolen (2018 make) so I don’t know what to tell you. I’m currently trying to find out if I can start a lawsuit against Hyundai for this exact reason.

  • const_void@lemmy.ml
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    1 year ago

    the companies failed to install a basic anti-theft technology

    Failed to install or weighed the cost of not installing it and kept the profit?

    • wildwhitehorses@aussie.zone
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      1 year ago

      Was it a requirement by law? Obviously not as this seems to be an America thing. So why not change the laws and mandate antithetical devices in cats

      • DarkWasp@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        This is a law in Canada and to my knowledge these kinds of thefts aren’t happening here. This should be an easy fix.

      • rikonium@discuss.tchncs.de
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        1 year ago

        Technically no, but standards do dictate that measures to prevent unauthorized use be present so I imagine those legal battles will be around that second part, especially with immobilizers being practically standard for every other manufacturer. Changing the laws will be a tough part, we can’t even get reasonable automotive lighting laws on the books or enforced.

    • 1847953620@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      I also have to wonder how much it was fueled by the silicone shortage, omitting electronics in order to get a car out the door, as other manufacturers did (albeit in a smarter way, so not that any of this stuff exempts Hyundai/kia from criticism)

  • zzZombie@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    I was one of the victims. My Hyundai Elantra was stolen. Smashed out the back window and ripped out the ignition to steal it. My insurance company has totaled the vehicle and paid me the value of the car. They totaled it because the thieves colored all over the seats and ceiling of the vehicle and the repair shop can’t get replacement parts. I’ve started car shopping and I’ll be damned if I buy another Hyundai at this point. Even though I’m seeing them for $3-5k cheaper than comparable sedans.

    The most eye opening part was that my car was spotted at a McDonalds down the road from my work with the smashed window, and the person called the police. An office didn’t arrive to the restaurant for over an hour and the thieves had already driven off. I think the police are overwhelmed with thefts, and the thieves, even if they’re caught, are underage and released with a court date that they aren’t attending. When I was at the impound lot to release the vehicle to the repair shop, two more Hyundais arrived while I was there!

    On a positive note, I needed new tires and rear brakes that I’d scheduled to complete after my summer vaca so I can add that money to the down payment.

    • Dramachad@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      Even though I’m seeing them for $3-5k cheaper than comparable sedans.

      And why do you think the Elantra was $1K cheaper than a Corolla and $3K cheaper than a Jetta? 🤔

  • BURN@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    It’s getting near impossible to insure Kias/Hyundais in some states now because this is so bad. I’d actually be considering buying one of their EVs or Hybrids if it wasn’t such an issue.

    • Earthwormjim91@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      Are insurers refusing all Kia/Hyundai or just the affected ones?

      None of the push to start ones are affected, only the base model key operated ones because they didn’t install immobilizers on them.

      • Poayjay@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        My wife has an affected model, but a push to start version. Getting insurance was fine. They did call to verify that it was the push to start before they finalized the policy, though.

    • Blademax@lemmy.one
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      1 year ago

      There are other auto makes besides KIA/Hyundai, to be considered… that didn’t overlook a “easy to steal with a USB” type problems.

      • CmdrShepard@lemmy.one
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        1 year ago

        If you’re trying to find a manufacturer that hasn’t had some colossal/nefarious fuck up in the past, good luck to you because they don’t exist.

          • CmdrShepard@lemmy.one
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            1 year ago

            Most modern cars have immobilizers that read the key and won’t allow the engine to start if it isn’t the correct key. Hyundai/Kia decided not to include these on some of their models to save costs. This was all well and good until it was discovered and spread across the internet. Now everyone knows these cars are easier to steal than others, with no easy way for owners to fix the issue.

            It was security through obscurity, which is useless without the obscurity part.

            Older cars up into the 90s were much easier to steal since you only needed to break the ignition lock or break the steering lock and touch the right ignition wires together. That’s essentially what they’re doing with these cars now.

      • BURN@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Of course, I just really like the styling and price range on a lot of their newer models. I’m not seriously looking to buy right now, but if these problems didn’t exist they’d be the top of the list probably.

  • krayj@sh.itjust.works
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    1 year ago

    I can’t afford to buy new vehicles, so I’m stuck still driving around in my 2004 - but even that car has a factory-installed immobilizer. It’s weird that it’s not considered a standard option on all models for modern vehicles.

  • Mudkipology@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    It’s such a shame, I had a 2011 Kia Soul that was my favorite car I’ve ever owned (and notably not in the model years with the immobilizer problem). Unfortunately some moron crashed into me earlier this year and totaled it. My first thought was to replace it with another Soul but their reputation is so bad at this point that I had to go with something else. Six months later a Soul that I test drove is still sitting at the same used car dealership. No one will touch them.

  • Tygr@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    I recently shopped auto insurance. There are now policy carriers that refuse to insure Kia and Hyundai for a new policy. It has been one of the very first questions a rep asks so they can figure out if the call needs to be ended right away.

    • Buddahriffic@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      Can’t get them insured at all? Why wouldn’t they offer liability, collision, and comprehensive (except vandalism) and just deny theft/vandalism coverage?

      • Tygr@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Because they are being used to joyride, often causing property damage, wrecks to other vehicles and all that. The owner’s insurance is usually made to cover it even though they weren’t driving.

  • Toast@lemmy.film
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    1 year ago

    I dunno about suing them. Lots of things are easy to steal. If there were a Tik Tok trend of stealing garbage cans, I might make an effort to secure the ones I have, but I wouldn’t sue the garbage can manufacturer for not addressing the possibility of theft if mine were stolen. These cars do have some theft protection, at least to the extent that you can’t accidentally steal them. Car owners should probably do what they can to deter theft, Tik Tok & YouTube should dissuade users from encouraging kids to steal, parents should be more responsible, and (not that it would necessarily help) all cops should stop being bastards

    • Potatos_are_not_friends@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      The lawsuit is because those companies have done nothing to fix their issue.

      If your phone caught fire if you put it near a magnet, you can’t say “Well phone owners should be more responsible.” And at some point, you have to say, “Why the fuck was this allowed to ship?”

      • Toast@lemmy.film
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        1 year ago

        Most cars used to be ridiculously easy to steal, and people dealt with this situation in a variety of ways. Suing the car manufacturers was not one of these methods.

        I don’t think your phone analogy is at all comparable. A phone catching fire during what anyone might consider normal use isn’t the same kind of product design issue as a car that is no easier to steal than most cars were for most of the history of cars. The old covertible that I had years ago would have been way easier to steal than these cars, for example, both because of simple wiring and simple access to the car interior.

        We can pass the blame for this issue around pretty widely. I don’t think we should just pin all the blame on the car makers

  • Lexam@lemmy.ca
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    1 year ago

    Just got home to find out my neighbor’s kia was stolen. Managed to get it back and catch the guys. But his steering column is busted now.

  • wahming@monyet.cc
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    1 year ago

    Maybe just encourage the cops to do their job? Or at least shoot different people.

    • Potatos_are_not_friends@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      And have cops murder a dude? Nah. I’m not trying to get a guy killed because he stole a car.

      Because I’m not a disgusting piece of shit who thinks a piece of machinery that gets 100% insurance coverage is worth more than a person’s life.

      • wahming@monyet.cc
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        1 year ago

        You know, there’s already like a dozen other comments under mine discussing how nobody today can detect sarcasm online. You’re not helping.

    • rafadavidc@ttrpg.network
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      1 year ago

      Are you kidding me? We want people summarily executed in the streets because they stole a fucking CAR??

      • Sethayy@sh.itjust.works
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        1 year ago

        I think they wanted to highlight that first, let’s not shoot exclusively innocent, then let’s not shoot anyone

        (ik they didn’t put the /s but remember this reactionary behavior is what keeps us separated)

        • wahming@monyet.cc
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          1 year ago

          I made the noob mistake of thinking the sarcasm was sufficiently clear. No, let’s just go with random slaughter instead.

  • ShittyRedditWasBetter@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Waste of time and resources for what amounts to content for a political ad.

    These companies did absolutely nothing wrong. Broke no laws. They sold cheap fucking cars.

  • Dramachad@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    If you bought a cheap Korean car for misers you deserve to have it stolen and you deserve to find metal shavings at the bottom of your oil pan when the cops get it back for you.

    • Takumidesh@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      “If you can’t afford nice things, then you deserve to have your things stolen from you.”

      You are a dick.

      • Dramachad@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        refuses to buy a used Passat like a normal person

        buys Kia Soul

        Soulstolen.webp

        how could this happen

        the stupid deserve this and worse tbh

    • Mr_Blott@feddit.uk
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      1 year ago

      Note that this only affects the US. Hyundai and Kia are fuckin excellent cars in Europe, it’s just that they can get away with selling any old shite in the states due to the lack of consumer protection and the fact that them daft cunts will buy shit like TVs with advertising built in and internet that costs $100 a month lol

      • Dramachad@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Hyundai and Kia are fuckin excellent cars in Europe

        How’s that GDI doing? lol

        lack of consumer protection

        Kia was the only group doing this lol everyone else has had immobilizers since dinosaur times

        the solution here is to just buy ANYTHING ELSE