Are Hyundai and Kia vehicles too easy to steal????

[Mike007]

I read multiple stories over the weekend that Milwaukee Police are seeing a big spike in stolen cars, especially in the last month. MPD is warning suspects are targeting specifically Kia and Hyundai vehicles. Milwaukee police are providing free steering wheel locks to residents who own some models of Kia's and Hyundai's.

Any other cities seeing this spike?

 

[bburger]

I live in southern California - less than a block from my local police station. We've never had any problems on our street in the 6 years we've lived here. A couple week ago someone attempted to steal my 2012 Hyundai Tucson. They punched out my driver's side door lock to get in, and punched the ignition in an attempt to start it. Car was a mess due to them going through the glove box and center console looking for a key (they took nothing, even though there were a couple things of value hidden in those areas). They were clearly interested only in taking the car.

After that incident, I started doing my research - I never realized how easy my Hyundai is to steal - no chip in the key. I now have a club on the steering wheel as an additional deterrent until I get my Telluride.

I'm extremely nervous now about getting the Telluride, given how popular and valuable it is - worried it'll be an even bigger target. That being said, there is no ignition key hole to exploit - and the fob needs to be in the car to start it. Yes, they have sophisticated ways of duplicating your key fob too - so it's definitely not completely safe. I will likely also install a kill switch on the Telluride as additional protection. Not sure what else to do beyond that.

 

[ernysan]

Scent included!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Maximillan]

I live in southern California - less than a block from my local police station. We've never had any problems on our street in the 6 years we've lived here. A couple week ago someone attempted to steal my 2012 Hyundai Tucson. They punched out my driver's side door lock to get in, and punched the ignition in an attempt to start it. Car was a mess due to them going through the glove box and center console looking for a key (they took nothing, even though there were a couple things of value hidden in those areas). They were clearly interested only in taking the car.

After that incident, I started doing my research - I never realized how easy my Hyundai is to steal - no chip in the key. I now have a club on the steering wheel as an additional deterrent until I get my Telluride.

I'm extremely nervous now about getting the Telluride, given how popular and valuable it is - worried it'll be an even bigger target. That being said, there is no ignition key hole to exploit - and the fob needs to be in the car to start it. Yes, they have sophisticated ways of duplicating your key fob too - so it's definitely not completely safe. I will likely also install a kill switch on the Telluride as additional protection. Not sure what else to do beyond that.

I'm sorry to see you go through this mate. It's just a terrible thing to have your personal property exploited like this. Stay safe man.

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[gman1868]

When you're not driving the car, put the key fobs in a box like this, it blocks the signal so they can't duplicate the signal.

Faraday Box for Cell Phone Key Fob

 

[jumpyg]

City of Milwaukee considering suing Kia/Hyundai because 70% of stolen vehicles in the city are from that manufacturer. This is crazy! Does anyone know which models/years are being targeted? You would hope that the '22 Tellurides have been updated to prevent the type of thefts that are happening in Milwaukee....

Two-Thirds Of Milwaukee’s Stolen Cars Are Made By Kia Or Hyundai

 

[trideluvr]

When you're not driving the car, put the key fobs in a box like this, it blocks the signal so they can't duplicate the signal.

Faraday Box for Cell Phone Key Fob

Is that how the cars are being stolen? How far away from the car does the fob have to be in order to prevent this from happening?

 

[gman1868]

Is that how the cars are being stolen? How far away from the car does the fob have to be in order to prevent this from happening?

Typically for them to read the fob they need to be within the same range as the fob has with the vehicle. Most often they are much closer.

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[kevin22]

Came across this Hyundai, Kia Take Action after Cars Become Theft Targets in Milwaukee

Does the 2022 Telluride have engine immobilizer?

 

[ronniebell]

Since the Telluride has GPS (provided free the first year of ownership), I wonder how that plays out if it's stolen. The owner (via the Kia Access app) can see the location of the car at all times.

 

[bruesjoh04]

Came across this Hyundai, Kia Take Action after Cars Become Theft Targets in Milwaukee

Does the 2022 Telluride have engine immobilizer?

Every Telluride has an immobilizer.

Also, if it isn’t already obviously clear, no Telluride models are affected by this situation at all because no Tellurides have a key ignition.

 

[kevin22]

Every Telluride has an immobilizer.

Also, if it isn’t already obviously clear, no Telluride models are affected by this situation at all because no Tellurides have a key ignition.

Thanks

But they are using USB to start the car.

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[judojim]

Since the Telluride has GPS (provided free the first year of ownership), I wonder how that plays out if it's stolen. The owner (via the Kia Access app) can see the location of the car at all times.

We live in Wisconsin but spend our winters 1100 miles from home. No garage at the winter residence so the Telly is parked outside. Just purchased a Club for our travels. I know that if the thugs want to steal the vehicle there's not much stopping them anymore but the Club might serve as somewhat of a deterrent. We lived in El Paso, TX for several years and Clubbed all of our vehicles as auto theft was out of control. Again, just served as a deterrent as the losers just hack-sawed thru the steering wheel to remove the Club. I have know idea as to how easy/uneasy the Telluride is to steal. Seems to me that I read somewhere that the push button starter serves as a deterrent but don't know if true or untrue. Just my 2-cents worth.

 

[bruesjoh04]

Thanks

But they are using USB to start the car.

I’m no expert, but it is absolutely impossible to use a screwdriver, a USB stick, or other pointy device to turn a key ignition that doesn’t exist. Tellurides don’t have key ignitions.