The car manufacturers Hyundai and Kia are calling on owners of certain models to urgently update their car software, following a series of car thefts inspired by a viral challenge on social media on TikTok: plug a USB into the car to make it start and steal it.

The thieves known as “Let’s Go Boyz” they posted instructional videos on how to bypass vehicle security systems using tools as simple as a USB cable.

The so-called “Kia Challenge” on the social media platform led to hundreds of car thefts across the country, including at least 14 accidents reported and eight deaths, according to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The thefts are reportedly easy to accomplish because many Hyundai and Kia vehicles 2015-2019 lack immobilizers electronics that prevent thieves from simply breaking in and bypassing the ignition. The feature is standard equipment on almost all vehicles of the same period made by other manufacturers.

Hyundai and its subsidiary Kia are pushing to update the “anti-theft alarm software” to extend the duration of the alarm sound from 30 seconds to a minute. Vehicles will also be updated to require a key in the ignition switch to start the vehicle.

urgent update

Software update modifies certain vehicle control modules on Hyundai vehicles equipped with standard ignition systems “key on hand to start”.

As a result, locking the doors with the remote will activate the factory alarm and activate a “power off” so that vehicles cannot start when subject to the popular theft mode. Customers must use the key fob to unlock their vehicles and disable the “ignition kill” feature.

Here’s what the software update will do, according to the company: “The software update modifies certain vehicle control modules in Hyundai vehicles equipped with standard ‘turnkey to start’ ignition systems. As a result, lock the doors with the remote control will activate the factory alarm and will activate a ‘power off’ feature so that vehicles cannot start when subject to the popular theft mode. Customers must use the key fob to unlock their vehicles and disable the ‘ignition kill’ feature.”

USB cables: they are used to “bypass” a security measure. Photo: Shutterstock

While there’s no official figure for these thefts, statistics from individual cities provide an idea of ​​just how viral the trend has become. In Milwaukee, for example, police report that 469 Kias and 426 Hyundais were stolen in 2020. Those numbers rose the following year to 3,557 Kias and 3,406 Hyundais, according to NPR.

Approximately 3.8 million Hyundais and 4.5 million Kias should get these upgrades, for a total of 8.3 million cars.

Vehicle owners are directed to take their cars to a local dealership, where technicians will install the updates in less than an hour. Upgraded vehicles will also receive a window decal indicating that they have been equipped with anti-theft technology.

Starting this week, owners of 2017-2020 Elantra, 2015-2019 Sonata and 2020-2021 Venue vehicles are eligible for the upgrade.

Additional models, including the Kona, Palisade and Santa Fe vehicles, will receive service beginning in June 2023.

Previously, Hyundai charged owners at least 170 dollars by security kits to solve the problem. With installation and labor, those costs could rise to $500.

Hyundai and Kia were also offering some owners wheel locks to prevent theft. The NTSA says the companies have delivered 26,000 wheel locks from November 2022.