Kia and Hyundai are rolling out a free software program replace for automobiles which may be targets of the “Kia problem” — a viral TikTok problem that has impressed automotive thefts nationwide. The software program replace can be free for tens of millions of Kia and Hyundai homeowners, the US Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration (NHTSA) stated Tuesday.

The problem went viral in 2021, in response to CNBC, encouraging younger folks to steal sure makes and fashions of 2010-2021 Kia and Hyundai automobiles. The focused vehicles lack an immobilizer — an digital safety gadget that stops somebody from beginning a automotive engine with out the proper key. Movies on TikTok and different social media channels exhibit how one can successfully hotwire one in every of these vehicles with a USB twine. 

In Los Angeles, the viral problem led to an 85% year-over-year enhance in Hyundai and Kia thefts in 2022, CNBC reported. Thefts of Kias and Hyundais skyrocketed in different elements of the nation as effectively, whereas the thieves posted movies of themselves stealing the vehicles. Tags like “Kia boys” raked in tens of tens of millions of views on TikTok, despite the fact that the social media firm stated it could take away any such content material that it discovered. 

The problem has resulted in at the least 14 reported crashes and eight fatalities, in response to the NHTSA.

With the software program replace, you will need to put the right key within the ignition to activate the automobile, the NHTSA stated. The replace may also prolong the size of the alarm sound from 30 seconds to 1 minute.

The NHTSA stated homeowners of those automobiles ought to contact Hyundai (toll-free at 800-633-5151) or Kia (toll-free at 800-333-4542) for info on the replace.

Hyundai stated in a launch that the free software program improve can be out there to almost 4 million automobiles, beginning with greater than 1 million mannequin 12 months 2017-2020 Elantra, 2015-2019 Sonata and 2020-2021 Venue automobiles. The remaining eligible vehicles ought to be capable to get the improve by this June. 

Automobile homeowners should take their automobile to a Hyundai dealership to get the improve. The set up ought to take lower than an hour. The Hyundai set up additionally comes with a window decal alerting would-be thieves that the automotive is provided with new anti-theft know-how.

At www.hyundaiantitheft.com, Hyundai clients can enter their automobile’s Automobile Identification Quantity (VIN) to seek out out when it’s eligible for the software program improve.