Hyundai, Kia say they’ll fix millions of easily stolen cars

>They would roll out software updates and vehicle locks on 4 million cars across the U.S.

>In a statement, Kia said it has distributed more than 23,000 locks so far and would continue providing locks to affected owners.

In large cities the widespread ease at which these cars are stolen results in numerous high speed chases and lost lives. It sounds like they are continuing with the low-tech and opt-in approach requiring owners to use a special lock or initiate the fix on their own at the dealer which is unacceptable.

Not a great response from Hyundai and Kia.

> “We thank the Attorneys General for the opportunity to let them know what we have done and will continue to do to combat this rise in car theft and the role social media has played in encouraging it,” Kia said in a statement.

This sentence literally makes no sense. They're thanking Attorney General for the opportunity of letting them know of the role social media played? I think they might have maybe wanted to thank the social media actors involved in bringing this to light - but failed to write an English sentence saying so.

This is a low quality article that would lead people to believe incorrect information. The headline is incorrect, as they won't be "fixing" the problem.

The latest news that I believe accompanied the statement quoted is that they are giving out (or reimbursing) steering wheel locks (as in "The Club") to some customers,[0]. Steering wheel locks are very frustrating to use and easily defeated.

They're also not adding immobilizers but rather connecting the fob buttons to the engine via software:[1]

> The software upgrade modifies certain vehicle control modules on Hyundai vehicles equipped with standard “turn-key-to-start” ignition systems. As a result, locking the doors with the key fob will set the factory alarm and activate an “ignition kill”

This software update will require a service visit and isn't yet available for most affected vehicles.

And to put things in perspective:

> 96 percent of vehicles had engine immobilizers as standard equipment in 2015, the feature was standard on only 26 percent of Hyundai and Kia models [up through 2021].

[0] https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-safety/hyundai-offe... [1] https://www.theverge.com/2023/2/14/23599300/hyundai-kia-car-...

While standing in line in January to get my rental car (my Prius's catalytic converter had been stolen for the second time in three years), the couple ahead of me said their Kia was in the garage for repairs after being stolen a week after they bought it.