Police warn of renewed Kia, Hyundai theft wave

New Britain Township Police are urging Kia and Hyundai owners to take extra precautions after a recent spike in thefts of certain models across Pennsylvania.

The warning comes as communities statewide — and nationwide — are once again seeing thieves target vehicles without an engine immobilizer, an electronic device that prevents the engine from starting without the correct key or key fob, police said. 

Many Kia and Hyundai models built before 2023 lack the feature, making them more vulnerable to theft, even when locked.

The trend first gained attention during a viral TikTok challenge in 2021, when videos showed how to hot-wire certain models using simple tools, police said. While automakers rolled out a free software upgrade in 2023 to prevent easy hot-wiring and unauthorized starts, police said many vehicles have yet to receive the fix.

Police offer prevention tips
Authorities recommend Kia and Hyundai owners take the following steps to protect their vehicles:

• Contact a dealership to confirm if the vehicle has an engine immobilizer and, if not, schedule the free installation.
• Park in well-lit, high-traffic areas whenever possible.
• Use a steering wheel lock, such as a “club,” as a visible deterrent.
• Always lock the vehicle and remove the keys, even for short stops.

Kia and Hyundai have included engine immobilizers as standard equipment in all models produced after 2023.

Police said awareness and quick action remain the best defenses against the ongoing theft trend.