Technology

59419 readers

5535 users here now

This is a most excellent place for technology news and articles.

Our Rules

Follow the lemmy.world rules.
Only tech related content.
Be excellent to each another!
Mod approved content bots can post up to 10 articles per day.
Threads asking for personal tech support may be deleted.
Politics threads may be removed.
No memes allowed as posts, OK to post as comments.
Only approved bots from the list below, to ask if your bot can be added please contact us.
Check for duplicates before posting, duplicates may be removed

Approved Bots

founded 1 year ago

MODERATORS

455

Hyundai and Kia car thefts fall sharply after software upgrade, study finds (www.cbsnews.com)

submitted 3 months ago by lemmee_in@lemm.ee to c/technology@lemmy.world

94 comments fedilink hide all child comments

A social media trend, dubbed the "Kia Challenge," has appeared to compound the automakers' problems in recent years, with people posting videos showing how to steal Hyundai and Kia cars. At its height, the Kia Challenge was linked to at least 14 reported crashes and eight fatalities, according to figures from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

About 9 million vehicles have been impacted by the rash of thefts, including Hyundai Elantras and Sonatas as well as Kia Fortes and Souls. Hyundai and Kia earlier this year agreed to pay $200 million to settle a class-action lawsuit filed by drivers who had their vehicles stolen.

Technology is helping foil car thieves making life miserable for owners of Hyundai and Kia vehicles.

Hyundai and Kia upgraded their cars' anti-theft tech in early 2023. Vehicles equipped with the enhanced software will only start if the owner's key, or an identical duplicate, is in the ignition.

The rate at which the Korean automakers' cars are stolen has fallen by more than half since the companies upgraded their anti-theft software, according to new research from the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI). Hyundai and Kia thefts have soared in recent years after criminals discovered that certain car models lacked engine immobilizers — technology that has long been standard in other vehicles.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] Grippler@feddit.dk 1 points 3 months ago (2 children)

So what was the exploit then? They could get in to the car without the key?

[–] Confused_Emus@lemmy.dbzer0.com 13 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

No engine immobilizer was the ultimate issue. And from what I understand, it was just an issue with models sold in the US, so all this misery was caused by a manufacturer’s cost saving measure.

ETA: To clarify, the cause was a manufacturer’s cost saving measure enabled by the US regulations’ lack of a requirement for engine immobilizers.

[–] PriorityMotif@lemmy.world 4 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Yeah, by breaking the window. Then they rip out the ignition cylinder and turn the electrical switch just like on old cars. They didn't put any kind of electronics into the key to prevent this from happening. Most keys from about 1999+ have an NFC type "chip" in them that prevents the car from starting without a key that is programmed to the car.

[–] Grippler@feddit.dk 2 points 3 months ago

Aah, so it actually has absolutely nothing to do with keyless access and driving like most seem to complain about.