- According to HDLI, the Hyundai/Kia anti-theft software upgrade reduced theft claims by 64%.
- Hyundai and Kia say that around 60% of the eligible vehicles received the upgrade as of July 2023.
- Theft claims of Hyundai and Kia models are still more than 8 times higher compared to other brands.
The huge wave of Hyundai and Kia thefts that started in 2021 with a viral video on social media seems to have finally received an effective solution. A study by the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) suggests that theft rates have been halved to vehicles that received the automakers’ software upgrade, although overall numbers remain very high.
According to the HDLI study, the vehicles that received the update had 53 percent lower theft claim frequencies compared to the ones still with the old software. These include thefts of the entire vehicle, damage to stolen and recovered vehicles, theft of car parts, and stolen items from the cabin. If we only count the whole vehicle theft, then the software upgrade reduced claim frequency by an impressive 64 percent.
More: Hyundai And Kia Thefts Have Reportedly Skyrocketed More Than 1,000%
The software upgrade, which was rolled out in February 2023, is compatible with 22 models from Hyundai and Kia, produced between 2011 and 2022. These are estimated to account for around 7 million out of the 9 million vulnerable vehicles on the roads. Furthermore, the companies offer the option of a theft deterrent ignition cylinder protector for those not eligible to receive the new software.
According to HDLI, only 30 percent of the eligible Hyundais and 28 percent of the eligible Kias on their database had received the update as of December 2023. More recent data by the automakers suggests that approximately 60 percent of the eligible vehicles have been upgraded as of mid-July 2024.
2018 Hyundai Sonata
When the new software is installed, the vehicle can only start with the original key or an identical duplicate. Hyundai and Kia supply owners of the upgraded vehicles with a special window sticker, indicating they are less prone to theft.
Matt Moore, senior vice president of HLDI describes the solution as “extremely effective”, calling more owners to upgrade their vehicles: “If you own a Hyundai or Kia without an electronic immobilizer, you should call your local dealer about getting the software upgrade today”.
Hyundai and Kia remain the champions of theft and vandalism claims
Despite the good news about the software upgrade, HDLI reports that the overall theft claim frequency of Hyundai and Kia vehicles is still rising, and remains elevated compared to other automakers. More specifically, in H2 2023, theft claims for 2003-2023 Hyundai/Kia models (11.7 claims / 1,000 vehicles) were more than 8 times higher than vehicles from other brands.
Vandalism claim frequency in H2 2023, was five times higher in Hyundai and Kia models (8 claims / 1,000 vehicles) versus other brands. The Institute suggests that these numbers might have to do with the fact that the software-based immobilizer is only activated when the driver uses the key fob to lock the vehicle, and not when using the traditional door lock.
The Hyundai and Kia models that had received the update showed a 61 percent increase in vandalism claim frequency, proving that people still tried to steal them. Thankfully, the monetary cost of those cases is much lower compared to a whole vehicle theft.
