{"id":809,"date":"2026-01-12T05:39:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-12T05:39:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lookupaplate.com\/blog\/?p=809"},"modified":"2026-01-21T03:02:27","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T03:02:27","slug":"rising-car-thefts-of-kia-and-hyundai-cars-in-america-statistics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lookupaplate.com\/blog\/rising-car-thefts-of-kia-and-hyundai-cars-in-america-statistics\/","title":{"rendered":"Rising Car Thefts of Kia and Hyundai Cars in America &#8211; Statistics Revealed"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"809\" class=\"elementor elementor-809\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-df7fec5 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"df7fec5\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-afe3f31\" data-id=\"afe3f31\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c6a242f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c6a242f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.14.0 - 26-06-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">South Korean automakers, Kia and Hyundai, settled a $200 million class-action lawsuit last week following a surge in car thefts, fuelled by a TikTok challenge. Going viral on social media is a brand marketing dream, but Kia and Hyundai came under the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Created by the so-called \u201cKia Boyz,\u201d the Kia Challenge started a crime trend that resulted in thousands of Kia and Hyundai cars being stolen across the U.S. But who are the Kia Boyz, and how did they steal so many cars?\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Find out the unbelievable facts and statistics of one of the most controversial TikTok challenges yet.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a2cf9f8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"a2cf9f8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.14.0 - 26-06-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lookupaplate.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Kia-challenge-theft-statistics.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-817\" alt=\"KIA Challenge theft statistics\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lookupaplate.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Kia-challenge-theft-statistics.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.lookupaplate.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Kia-challenge-theft-statistics-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lookupaplate.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Kia-challenge-theft-statistics-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ef146ee elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ef146ee\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.14.0 - 26-06-2023 *\/\n.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}<\/style><h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">THE KIA CHALLENGE - KEY INSIGHTS<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fba2b40 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fba2b40\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The origins of the Kia Challenge can be traced back to an increase in car thefts in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, that began in&nbsp;<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">February 2021<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The trend has been linked to an&nbsp;<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">82% increase in theft of Kia and Hyundai<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">&nbsp;cars in 2022 compared to 2021.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">An estimated&nbsp;<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">50,000 to 100,000 Kia and Hyundai cars were stolen<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">&nbsp;as part of the challenge (2021 to Apr 2023). However, the exact figure is unknown.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">This design flaw affects the <b>2011-2022 Kia and Hyundai cars with key start<\/b><\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. An estimated,&nbsp;<\/span><strong style=\"background-color: transparent;\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">8.3 million&nbsp;<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\" style=\"background-color: transparent;\">Kia and Hyundai vehicles are not equipped with immobilizer and are vulnerable to theft.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Videos of teenage boys stealing cars and driving dangerously started to circulate on social media in August 2021, accompanied by the hashtag <b>#kiaboyz<\/b> or <b>#kiaboys<\/b>.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">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.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The rise of the challenge on social media caused the crime spree to spread beyond the Midwest and become a nationwide problem.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The main perpetrators of the challenge are boys aged 11-17 years old.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Videos with the hashtags <b>#kiaboyz<\/b> or <b>#kiaboys<\/b> have racked up over <b>66 million views<\/b> on TikTok.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The underage drivers use the stolen cars for joyrides and, in some cases, to commit other crimes such as robberies and shootings.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">According to NHTSA, the challenge has been linked to <b>eight fatalities<\/b>.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fcc3528 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"fcc3528\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">HOW MANY CARS HAVE BEEN STOLEN BECAUSE OF THE KIA CHALLENGE?\n<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5e1d4ed elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5e1d4ed\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Vehicle theft in the U.S. is on the rise, with the annual number of vehicles stolen in 2022 reaching\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">1,001,967 &#8211; the highest total since 2008<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. However, the exact number of Kia and Hyundai cars stolen attributed to this trend is largely\u00a0<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">unknown, but it&#8217;s mostly in the range of 50,000 to 100,000.<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0We base this estimate considering the size of the settlement is 200 million dollars ($6,125 to $3,375 per affected vehicle)<\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">and conservatively extrapolating the number of reported thefts across major cities nationwide.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To highlight the extent of the issue, here are some notable statistics from cities that filed a federal lawsuit against the two automakers:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2022, 55% of the 8,096 vehicles stolen in Milwaukee were Kia or Hyundai models (4,453 cars)<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Between October and December 2022, more than 1,200 Kia or Hyundai cars were stolen in Cleveland, accounting for 62% of all vehicle thefts<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In San Diego, 515 Kia and Hyundai cars were reported stolen in 2022<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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<\/span><\/li><\/ul><div>\u00a0<\/div><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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 <\/span><b>conservative estimate of the total number of cars stolen is 50,000-100,000<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>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.<\/p><p>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.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a87a08a elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"a87a08a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lookupaplate.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/kia-hyundai-cars-with-turn-key-ignition-were-affected.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-818\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lookupaplate.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/kia-hyundai-cars-with-turn-key-ignition-were-affected.jpg 999w, https:\/\/www.lookupaplate.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/kia-hyundai-cars-with-turn-key-ignition-were-affected-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.lookupaplate.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/kia-hyundai-cars-with-turn-key-ignition-were-affected-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4d04f1e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4d04f1e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">HOW MANY CARS ARE AFFECTED?\n<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d77a75a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d77a75a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The security flaw is present in all models with a <\/span><b>turn-key ignition<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. 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:<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-de34ca5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"de34ca5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<table><tbody><tr><td><p><b>Brand<\/b><\/p><\/td><td><p><b>Model<\/b><\/p><\/td><td><p><b>Model years<\/b><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td rowspan=\"16\"><p><b>Hyundai<\/b><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Accent<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2011\u20132022<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Elantra<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2011\u20132022<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Elantra GT<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2013\u20132017<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Elantra Coupe<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2013\u20132014<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Elantra Touring<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2011\u20132012<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Genesis Coupe<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2011\u20132014<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kona<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2018\u20132022<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Palisade<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2020\u20132021<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Santa Fe<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2011\u20132012, 2019\u20132022<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Santa Fe, Santa Fe XL<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2013\u20132018, 2019<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Santa Fe Sport<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2013\u20132018<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sonata<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2011\u20132019<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tucson<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2011\u20132022<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Veloster<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2012\u20132017, 2019\u20132021<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Venue<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2020\u20132021<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Veracruz<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2011\u20132012<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td rowspan=\"9\"><p><b>Kia<\/b><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Forte<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2011\u20132021<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">K5<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2021\u20132022<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Optima<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2011\u20132020<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rio<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2011\u20132021<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sedona<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2011\u20132021<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seltos<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2021\u20132022<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Soul<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2010\u20132022<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sorento<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2011\u20132022<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sportage<\/span><\/p><\/td><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2011\u20132022<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e502eff elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e502eff\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 3.8 million Hyundais and 4.5 million Kias are affected.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-84bcea6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"84bcea6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">WHY ARE THESE CARS SO EASY TO STEAL?<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c65cd5e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c65cd5e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The affected Kia and Hyundai models have an essential <\/span><b>design flaw<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; 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.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7ff70d6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7ff70d6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">HOW DID KIA AND HYUNDAI RESPOND TO THE THEFTS?<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4790fcf elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4790fcf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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 \u201cconcluding their investigation\u201d on the matter.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As the extent of the crimes grew, both manufacturers scrambled to address the issue. Hyundai began to offer a <\/span><b>$170 security kit<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in November 2021, comprising a kill switch and an alarm. With installation, owners could expect a total outlay of <\/span><b>$500 to protect their vehicles<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Both automakers offered, and continue to offer, free steering wheel locks to law enforcement agencies in the most affected areas.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By February 2023, Kia and Hyundai had developed and released <\/span><b>theft deterrent software<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 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.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4a453a8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4a453a8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">THE $200 MILLION LAWSUIT<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7ff019b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7ff019b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kia and Hyundai\u2019s 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\u2019s expense, damage to public property, police time and resources, etc.).\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Last week, Kia and Hyundai agreed to settle the case, paying up to<\/span><b> $200 million in compensation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Owners of affected models whose vehicles were stolen can now claim up to <\/span><b>$6,125 for out-of-pocket<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> costs, and those who still have their vehicles but suffered damage to them can claim <\/span><b>$3,375<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Other related expenses including car rental, taxi, or transportation costs not covered by insurance are also included in the settlement.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b934b88 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b934b88\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Conclusion<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5efc130 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5efc130\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kia and Hyundai\u2019s 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4830f63 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4830f63\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Sources:<\/strong><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2023\/may\/19\/hyundai-kia-settle-theft-lawsuit\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2023\/may\/19\/hyundai-kia-settle-theft-lawsuit<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Kia_Challenge\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Kia_Challenge<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=39muqmJmeMM\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=39muqmJmeMM<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecut.com\/2022\/08\/what-is-the-kia-boyz-tiktok-trend.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.thecut.com\/2022\/08\/what-is-the-kia-boyz-tiktok-trend.html<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nicb.org\/news\/news-releases\/vehicle-thefts-nationwide-surpass-one-million-first-time-2008\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.nicb.org\/news\/news-releases\/vehicle-thefts-nationwide-surpass-one-million-first-time-2008<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hotcars.com\/kia-boyz-easily-steal-base-kia-hyundais-insurance\/#:~:text=The%20car%20theft%20count%20has,were%20of%20the%20Korean%20automakers\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.hotcars.com\/kia-boyz-easily-steal-base-kia-hyundais-insurance\/<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com\/ea\/e8\/7206b3174f639780656d5a853806\/031139591708.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com\/ea\/e8\/7206b3174f639780656d5a853806\/031139591708.pdf<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsandiego.com\/nbc-7-responds-2\/san-diego-city-attorney-suing-kia-hyundai-after-social-media-theft-challenge\/3189893\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.nbcsandiego.com\/nbc-7-responds-2\/san-diego-city-attorney-suing-kia-hyundai-after-social-media-theft-challenge\/3189893\/<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.stlouis-mo.gov\/government\/departments\/mayor\/news\/kia-hyundai-lawsuit.cfm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.stlouis-mo.gov\/government\/departments\/mayor\/news\/kia-hyundai-lawsuit.cfm<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/kia-hyundai-car-thefts-crime-wave-viral-tiktok-lawsuits-2023-3?r=US&amp;IR=T\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/kia-hyundai-car-thefts-crime-wave-viral-tiktok-lawsuits-2023-3?r=US&amp;IR=T<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.autoweek.com\/news\/industry-news\/a42959205\/hyundai-and-kia-boyz-challenge-car-theft-solution\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.autoweek.com\/news\/industry-news\/a42959205\/hyundai-and-kia-boyz-challenge-car-theft-solution\/<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.axios.com\/2022\/08\/27\/kia-hyundai-thefts-stolen-usb-immobilizer-tiktok\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.axios.com\/2022\/08\/27\/kia-hyundai-thefts-stolen-usb-immobilizer-tiktok<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.caranddriver.com\/news\/a43941743\/hyundai-kia-vehicle-theft-settlement\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.caranddriver.com\/news\/a43941743\/hyundai-kia-vehicle-theft-settlement\/<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/23726654-kia-hyundai-lawsuit\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/23726654-kia-hyundai-lawsuit<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.caranddriver.com\/news\/a42894196\/hyundai-kia-foiled-the-tiktok-theft-challenge\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.caranddriver.com\/news\/a42894196\/hyundai-kia-foiled-the-tiktok-theft-challenge\/<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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 \u201cKia Boyz,\u201d the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":817,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_theme","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[11],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.10 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Rising Car Thefts of Kia and Hyundai Cars in America - Statistics Revealed<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"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? 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Find out the unbelievable facts and statistics of one of the most controversial TikTok challenges yet.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.lookupaplate.com\/blog\/rising-car-thefts-of-kia-and-hyundai-cars-in-america-statistics\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"LookupAPlate\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-01-12T05:39:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-01-21T03:02:27+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.lookupaplate.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Kia-challenge-theft-statistics.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"667\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Jason L Arthur\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Jason L Arthur\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.lookupaplate.com\/blog\/rising-car-thefts-of-kia-and-hyundai-cars-in-america-statistics\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.lookupaplate.com\/blog\/rising-car-thefts-of-kia-and-hyundai-cars-in-america-statistics\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Jason L Arthur\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.lookupaplate.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/92dba4a4850bb4694cf2699f61e8aa7c\"},\"headline\":\"Rising Car Thefts of Kia and Hyundai Cars in America &#8211; Statistics Revealed\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-01-12T05:39:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-01-21T03:02:27+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.lookupaplate.com\/blog\/rising-car-thefts-of-kia-and-hyundai-cars-in-america-statistics\/\"},\"wordCount\":1495,\"commentCount\":1,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.lookupaplate.com\/blog\/#organization\"},\"articleSection\":[\"Insights\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.lookupaplate.com\/blog\/rising-car-thefts-of-kia-and-hyundai-cars-in-america-statistics\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.lookupaplate.com\/blog\/rising-car-thefts-of-kia-and-hyundai-cars-in-america-statistics\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.lookupaplate.com\/blog\/rising-car-thefts-of-kia-and-hyundai-cars-in-america-statistics\/\",\"name\":\"Rising Car Thefts of Kia and Hyundai Cars in America - Statistics Revealed\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.lookupaplate.com\/blog\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2026-01-12T05:39:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-01-21T03:02:27+00:00\",\"description\":\"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? 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