The ‘Kia Boys’ continue to be a thorn in the side of the Korean automaker, so the company has introduced a new theft deterrent ignition cylinder protector.
Designed for vehicles that weren’t eligible for last year’s software security update, the component aims to reinforce the ignition cylinder body and prevent its removal. Ideally, this will stop the vehicle from being stolen.
The theft deterrent can be installed on a handful of different models including the 2011-2016 Forte, 2011-2021 Rio, 2014 Sedona, 2011-2016 Sportage, and 2010-2022 Soul. The device is free and owners can visit this site to enter their VIN and confirm eligibility.
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Kia will reach out to owners and tell them to visit their nearest dealership for installation. The company didn’t say much about that process, but noted once the ignition cylinder protector is installed, window decals will be added to inform “would-be car thieves that the vehicle is equipped with enhanced theft protection.”
The effort is in response to a social media-fueled crime spree, which highlighted lax security on a number of Hyundai and Kia vehicles. While the thefts continue, Kia noted they installed anti-theft software on approximately 940,000 vehicles last year and have distributed more than 325,000 steering wheel locks. Of course, that’s little consolation to owners who have had their vehicles stolen, sometimes on multiple occasions.
That being said, Kia America’s Greg Silvestri said “Vehicle security is a top priority for Kia and we continue to take action to support our customers by helping to protect their vehicles from thefts, which have been encouraged by content spread across social media. Reinforcing the ignition cylinder body is the latest step to help guard against these methods of theft and we strongly encourage owners of vehicles that don’t have engine immobilizers and are not able to receive our security software upgrade to have this free security measure installed.”
The move follows a similar effort by Hyundai, which is offering an ignition cylinder protector on the 2011-2017 Accent, 2013-2014 Elantra Coupe, 2011-2012 Elantra Touring, 2011-2012 Genesis Coupe, 2011-2012 Santa Fe, and 2011-2012 Veracruz.
