Thieves Target Hyundai, Kia as Car Theft Rates Rise

The latest TikTok trend could put owners of certain Hyundai and Kia vehicles at risk.

A viral challenge from the so-called Kia Boyz began circulating the short-form video platform in late 2021 and into 2022. The challenge highlighted the ease of stealing certain Kia and Hyundai models.

In the videos, masked figures show how to steal these cars by simply opening the steering column and using a regular USB cable to start the engine. This trick is actually an evolution of a long-known theft method that uses a screwdriver. It's made possible because the cars lack what's called an "immobilizer," which allows the car to recognize a properly paired vehicle key.

The result? A climbing rise in car thefts. More than a million vehicles were stolen across the United States in 2022, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), whose analysis notes it as the highest number since 2008.

As a notable example, in California’s Bay Area, motor vehicle thefts were up by as much as 69% in some communities last year— particularly in Oakland, which had a rate of one car stolen for about every 30 residents. And given how easy they are to steal, many of the cars in question were Kias and Hyundais.

Which cars can be stolen with a USB cable?

The models affected by the viral challenge include 2011-2021 Kias with twist-to-start ignition systems, plus the following Hyundai models:

Kias and Hyundais made after November 2021 all have immobilizers, which means they're not as easy to steal as the older models.

How to prevent your Hyundai or Kia from being stolen

Even if your car doesn't have an immobilizer, there are things you can do to make it harder for someone to steal.

If you can, park in a garage or other locked building. If you don't have access to one, park in a well-lit area and remove all items from your car, including USB cables. Locking your car is a good idea, too. Thieves might still be able to get in, but at least you've made it a bit more difficult.

Car theft and auto insurance: What you need to know

Because some Hyundais and Kias can be so easily stolen, State Farm and Progressive stopped writing new insurance policies for some models in some areas early in 2023.

If you have a Kia or Hyundai model that is more likely to be stolen, you might have trouble getting car insurance. Your best option is to shop around or contact an independent agency to shop around for you. Even then, you might need to buy coverage from a high-risk company.

Even if you have another type of car, a rise in car thefts can drive up auto insurance rates, regardless of your driving safety record and other factors.

A car is a huge purchase, so it’s important to get proper insurance. That way, if your car is stolen, you’ll still be covered. It's important to know that homeowners insurance doesn’t cover stolen cars. However, both homeowners and renters insurance policies may cover items stolen out of your car.

If you want your car insurance to cover theft, you need to buy what's called "comprehensive" or "other-than-collision" coverage. Buying this coverage will likely mean paying a higher rate, but you'll be able to file a claim and get the value of your car back if it's stolen.

Filing an insurance claim isn’t the only thing you’ll need to do if a thief steals your vehicle. If your car has been stolen, your first course of action should be to file a police report. Most insurance companies won’t honor your claim theft without one.

Finally, if you live in a high-risk area or drive one of these high-risk cars, consider getting a theft protection device. These range from basic steering wheel locks to security alarms and GPS trackers that can tell you where thieves have taken your missing car.