Hyundai presents dear repair for simply stolen ‘TikTok problem’ fashions

Many Hyundai and Kia house owners just lately discovered themselves because the butt of an unlucky web phenomenon. Customers on TikTok and different social media websites have shared movies of how to interrupt into and steal older Hyundai and Kia fashions which might be lacking an digital immobilizer. Now, Hyundai dealerships have an answer within the type of a retrofitted safety package.

It’s straightforward to blow this off as a fast-moving web pattern amongst Gen-Z-ers, however there have been loads of real-life penalties. Milwaukee information outlet WTMJ-TV reported that thieves had nabbed a median of six Hyundai automobiles a day up to now this 12 months, however Kia thefts have nonetheless outpaced their company cousins by round 400 extra this 12 months.

A lot to the dismay of car house owners, the $200-$300 value of an aftermarket immobilizer falls on them, not the automakers. Nonetheless, even when they have been free, the kits aren’t accessible to all Hyundai house owners. Solely fashions with key begin made between 2016 and 2021 are eligible for the repair, which features a kill change and alarm system. As soon as put in, the system sounds the horn if somebody tries to interrupt in, but when they make it previous that, the automotive received’t begin with out the important thing.

Hyundai offered practically three-quarters of one million vehicles within the U.S. in 2016 alone, so there are many folks driving round that want one among these kits. Kia and Hyundai have been sued over the difficulty, however up to now, solely Hyundai has a repair. For those who’ve received an affected Kia, it’s most likely time to go old-school with The Membership.