Home / Insights / Rising Car Thefts of Kia and Hyundai Cars in America – Statistics Revealed

Rising Car Thefts of Kia and Hyundai Cars in America – Statistics Revealed

By Jason L Arthur
December 29, 2024
Fact Checked

South Korean automakers, Kia and Hyundai, settled a $200 million class-action lawsuit last week following a surge in car thefts, fuelled by a TikTok challenge. Going viral on social media is a brand marketing dream, but Kia and Hyundai came under the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Created by the so-called “Kia Boyz,” the Kia Challenge started a crime trend that resulted in thousands of Kia and Hyundai cars being stolen across the U.S. But who are the Kia Boyz, and how did they steal so many cars?

Find out the unbelievable facts and statistics of one of the most controversial TikTok challenges yet.

THE KIA CHALLENGE - KEY INSIGHTS

The origins of the Kia Challenge can be traced back to an increase in car thefts in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, that began in February 2021
The trend has been linked to an 82% increase in theft of Kia and Hyundai cars in 2022 compared to 2021.
An estimated 50,000 to 100,000 Kia and Hyundai cars were stolen as part of the challenge (2021 to Apr 2023). However, the exact figure is unknown.
This design flaw affects the 2011-2022 Kia and Hyundai cars with key start. An estimated, 8.3 million Kia and Hyundai vehicles are not equipped with immobilizer and are vulnerable to theft.
From January to June 2021, 66% of the 4,491 cars reported stolen in Milwaukee were Kias or Hyundais. During the same period in 2020, Kia and Hyundai accounted for only 100 stolen vehicles.
Videos of teenage boys stealing cars and driving dangerously started to circulate on social media in August 2021, accompanied by the hashtag #kiaboyz or #kiaboys.
Videos demonstrated that certain models of Kia and Hyundai cars could be stolen in seconds by simply popping off the steering wheel column and using a USB cable to turn the ignition on.
The rise of the challenge on social media caused the crime spree to spread beyond the Midwest and become a nationwide problem.
The main perpetrators of the challenge are boys aged 11-17 years old.
Videos with the hashtags #kiaboyz or #kiaboys have racked up over 66 million views on TikTok.
The underage drivers use the stolen cars for joyrides and, in some cases, to commit other crimes such as robberies and shootings.
According to NHTSA, the challenge has been linked to eight fatalities.

HOW MANY CARS HAVE BEEN STOLEN BECAUSE OF THE KIA CHALLENGE?

Vehicle theft in the U.S. is on the rise, with the annual number of vehicles stolen in 2022 reaching 1,001,967 – the highest total since 2008. However, the exact number of Kia and Hyundai cars stolen attributed to this trend is largely unknown, but it’s mostly in the range of 50,000 to 100,000. We base this estimate considering the size of the settlement is 200 million dollars ($6,125 to $3,375 per affected vehicle) and conservatively extrapolating the number of reported thefts across major cities nationwide.

To highlight the extent of the issue, here are some notable statistics from cities that filed a federal lawsuit against the two automakers:

In 2022, 55% of the 8,096 vehicles stolen in Milwaukee were Kia or Hyundai models (4,453 cars)
Between October and December 2022, more than 1,200 Kia or Hyundai cars were stolen in Cleveland, accounting for 62% of all vehicle thefts
In San Diego, 515 Kia and Hyundai cars were reported stolen in 2022
A massive 4,500 Kia and Hyundai cars were stolen in St. Louis between May 2022 and March 2023, representing 61% of all vehicle thefts and 88% of all attempted vehicle thefts

The number of cars stolen in just these four examples adds up to over 14,000. Considering all of the other major cities that filed a lawsuit and the fact that the trend began in 2021, a conservative estimate of the total number of cars stolen is 50,000-100,000.

The theft rate is so high in Georgia, Louisiana, Washington, Oregon, and Pennsylvania that the leading insurer, State Farm Insurance, no longer offers policies to new customers of the affected models.

In most cases, the stolen cars are abandoned with varying degrees of damage, including smashed windows, a broken steering wheel column, graffiti, missing number plates, and dented bodywork. The average cost of damage is estimated to be $2,000-$3000, with many of the necessary spare parts on backorder due to increased demand.

HOW MANY CARS ARE AFFECTED?

The security flaw is present in all models with a turn-key ignition. This covers many of the lower-cost models manufactured by Kia and Hyundai from 2011 through 2022. The full list is summarised in the below table:

Brand	Model	Model years
Hyundai	Accent	2011–2022
	Elantra	2011–2022
	Elantra GT	2013–2017
	Elantra Coupe	2013–2014
	Elantra Touring	2011–2012
	Genesis Coupe	2011–2014
	Kona	2018–2022
	Palisade	2020–2021
	Santa Fe	2011–2012, 2019–2022
	Santa Fe, Santa Fe XL	2013–2018, 2019
	Santa Fe Sport	2013–2018
	Sonata	2011–2019
	Tucson	2011–2022
	Veloster	2012–2017, 2019–2021
	Venue	2020–2021
	Veracruz	2011–2012
Kia	Forte	2011–2021
	K5	2021–2022
	Optima	2011–2020
	Rio	2011–2021
	Sedona	2011–2021
	Seltos	2021–2022
	Soul	2010–2022
	Sorento	2011–2022
	Sportage	2011–2022

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 3.8 million Hyundais and 4.5 million Kias are affected.

WHY ARE THESE CARS SO EASY TO STEAL?

The affected Kia and Hyundai models have an essential design flaw – they lack immobilizers. This device does not allow a car to start unless the car key is present. It is a crucial anti-theft measure that has been a standard issue in the automotive industry for decades. In 2021, immobilizers were present in 97% of all vehicles manufactured that year. By comparison, only 26% of Kia and Hyundai models were equipped with immobilizers in 2015.

HOW DID KIA AND HYUNDAI RESPOND TO THE THEFTS?

Kia and Hyundai have been criticized for their slow reaction to the unfolding crime spree. Initial statements released in June 2021 denied any wrongdoing on behalf of the manufacturers, with Kia going so far as to say that they were already “concluding their investigation” on the matter.

As the extent of the crimes grew, both manufacturers scrambled to address the issue. Hyundai began to offer a $170 security kit in November 2021, comprising a kill switch and an alarm. With installation, owners could expect a total outlay of $500 to protect their vehicles. Both automakers offered, and continue to offer, free steering wheel locks to law enforcement agencies in the most affected areas.

By February 2023, Kia and Hyundai had developed and released theft deterrent software, available at no cost to owners of turn-key ignition vehicles. The software updates the theft alarm software logic to extend the length of the alarm sound from 30 seconds to one minute and requires the key to be in the ignition switch to turn the vehicle on. In addition, Hyundai is providing its customers with a window decal alerting would-be thieves that the vehicle is equipped with enhanced anti-theft protection.

THE $200 MILLION LAWSUIT

Kia and Hyundai’s failure to install immobilizers on their entry-level models put vehicle owners and the public at risk. In addition, the defect had an enormous economic impact on individuals (insurance claims, rental cars, lost wages, stolen property, etc.) and society as a whole (vehicles towed and stored at the public’s expense, damage to public property, police time and resources, etc.).

Drivers, insurers, and cities across the U.S. filed lawsuits against Kia and Hyundai seeking damages. These lawsuits were consolidated into one case in California, where both automakers have North American headquarters. Lawyers for the plaintiffs argued that Kia and Hyundai had failed to disclose the lack of immobilizers and deliberately misrepresented the safety of their vehicles.

Last week, Kia and Hyundai agreed to settle the case, paying up to $200 million in compensation. Owners of affected models whose vehicles were stolen can now claim up to $6,125 for out-of-pocket costs, and those who still have their vehicles but suffered damage to them can claim $3,375. Other related expenses including car rental, taxi, or transportation costs not covered by insurance are also included in the settlement.

Conclusion

Kia and Hyundai’s decision to overlook immobilizers to minimize manufacturing costs proved to be a terrible error of judgment. Teenagers looking for a thrill seized upon this fundamental design flaw and amplified it via social media. The resulting explosion in car thefts jeopardized public health, safety, and finances, even causing eight fatalities.

Despite ending in a $200 million settlement, the damage to the brands would have been even greater if they had not taken decisive action once and for all. This case should remind carmakers that basic safety standards should never be ignored, and defects can never be hidden, especially in the era of social media.

Sources:

Jason L Arthur

Jason Arthur is a data junkie, writer, veteran amateur racecar driver and motorsport photographer. He is the co-founder of LookupaPlate, a collaborative platform to report bad drivers plying on American roads. He is also building a blockchain-based vehicle data marketplace (in stealth mode) and is an adviser to several startups. Jason has been tracking the automotive industry since the 1990s and has a disturbingly deep obsession with the automotive world, and loves to explore whatever roads he can find. From high-speed racing on the circuit to off-road exploration, Jason has an insatiable appetite for adventure. Jason has written for numerous publications, including Autocar Magazine, Motorsport Magazine, and Road & Track.