ALLENTOWN, Pa. — If you don’t want your car to end part of a TikTok joyride online, a simple steering wheel lock to inhibit the car’s physical operation may be just the deterrent needed.
And for Kia and Hyundai owners, with vehicles of model years 2011-21, there are ways to get one free.
On Tuesday, the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office Auto Theft and Insurance Fraud Task Force gave away the locks alongside the AAA East Central office on Downyflake Lane — which also happens to be across from the Kia of Allentown dealership on nearby Lehigh Street.
“Those models didn’t have electronic engine immobilizers... The car is still vulnerable as a result of that, and [this is] a way to proactively prevent and deter auto theft.”Lehigh County Chief Deputy District Attorney David Mussel, who supervises the Auto Theft/Insurance Fraud Task Force, on Kia and Hyundai vehicles released from 2011-2021
The previous decade saw vehicles from the two companies with the same issue leaving them susceptible to thieves.
“Those models didn’t have electronic engine immobilizers,” said Lehigh County Chief Deputy District Attorney David Mussel, who supervises the Auto Theft/Insurance Fraud Task Force.
“They’ve since had a software patch; some people obviously didn’t get the update. The car is still vulnerable as a result of that, and [this is] a way to proactively prevent and deter auto theft.”
The anti-theft devices let the vehicle be started only when the correct key is used.
"... I saw that in the newsletter and was like, ‘Great deal.’ Who’s gonna pass up a free security device?”Kathy Mitchell, a longtime resident of Allentown and Hyundai driver
A few dozen drivers, both behind the wheel and walking — and with a quick showing of their vehicle registration and proof of insurance — had come through for a free wheel lock as of 30 minutes into the event.
“I’m just super grateful that this is happening," said Kathy Mitchell, a longtime Allentown resident and Hyundai driver.
“I thought about doing something like this, but I just hadn’t done it yet. And I saw that in the newsletter and was like, ‘Great deal.’ Who’s gonna pass up a free security device?”
No cost to taxpayers
While Mussel did not have exact case figures to share, he said 2023 was the worst year statistically for Hyundai and Kia vehicle thefts locally, though officials have noted a recent uptick.
Mussel said the devices distributed on Tuesday came courtesy of the vehicle manufacturer and at no cost to taxpayers.
The Autowear-branded devices go for less than $20 online.
Drivers of affected vehicles also can contact the manufacturer for a free wheel lock.
He recommended drivers always lock their cars when leaving them parked, never leave vehicles running and unattended and always set alarms.
More than 100 drivers came to the previous year's giveaway, according to AAA Central Director of Legislative Affairs Theresa Podguski.
Began as an online trend
The targeting of Kias and Hyundais is believed to have started as a trend on TikTok and in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where more than two-thirds of over 10,000 cars stolen there in 2021 were Kia or Hyundai.
There even were reports of screwdrivers and USB cables being used to start vehicles as part of the trend.
“In these videos, thieves documented and promoted a specific method by which to bypass the vehicles’ security features, dismantle their steering columns and create direct access to their ignitions and challenged others to copycat their crimes.”Kia Media, on the "Kia Challenge" on TikTok
“Following historically low rates of theft among Hyundai and Kia vehicles, thefts spiked in the summer of 2022 in response to videos posted by car thieves on TikTok and other social media channels in what became known as the ‘Kia Challenge,’” a May 2023 news release from Kia Media reads.
“In these videos, thieves documented and promoted a specific method by which to bypass the vehicles’ security features, dismantle their steering columns and create direct access to their ignitions and challenged others to copycat their crimes.”
Kia in May 2023 moved to resolve legal disputes with affected customers and offer free software upgrades and anti-theft devices to affected customers.
“Approximately 9 million 2011-2022 model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles on the road in the U.S. today — primarily 'base trim' or entry-level models, which are not equipped with push-button ignitions and immobilizing anti-theft devices — are or were susceptible to these social media-promoted thefts,” according to the release from Kia Media.
“While Hyundai and Kia believe these vehicles are fully compliant with federal anti-theft requirements, Hyundai and Kia have taken action to support the security of customers, and this agreement represents the latest step.”
Kia and Hyundai operate independently under the Hyundai Motor Group parent company.
Report: Kia, Hyundai were 3 of Top 5 stolen cars in 2024
From 2015-19, only about a quarter of Hyundai and Kia vehicles released featured the protective immobilzers.
But since November 2021, all new vehicles from the two companies come with an engine immobilizer as standard equipment.
In 2024, the National Insurance Crime Bureau listed its Top 5 most stolen vehicle makes and models across the country to include the Hyundai Elantra and Sonata topping the list at Nos. 1 and 2, over the Chevrolet Silverado.
And it placed the Kia Optima at No. 5, just behind the Honda Accord.
However, the March report also highlights a 17% decrease in stolen vehicles last year — the largest drop in the past four decades, from 1,020,729 thefts in 2023 to 850,708 in 2024.
