Hyundai and Kia Roll Out Free Software Fix for 8.3 Million Theft-Vulnerable Vehicles

NHTSA, Hyundai, and Kia jointly announced a free service campaign on February 14 to address a theft epidemic that had swept U.S. cities. Approximately 3.8 million Hyundais and 4.5 million Kias — totaling roughly 8.3 million vehicles — were eligible for a no-cost software update.

The root cause was the absence of electronic engine immobilizers on a broad swath of Hyundai and Kia models built through the mid-2020s. A TikTok social-media challenge popularized a technique that allowed thieves to start affected vehicles using little more than a USB cable and basic tool. NHTSA linked the viral method to at least 14 crashes and eight fatalities as of the announcement.

The campaign's software fix extended the duration of the theft alarm from 30 seconds to one minute and required the ignition key to be physically present in the switch for the vehicle to start. Owners were directed to contact Hyundai at 800-633-5151 or Kia at 800-333-4542 to arrange the free update.

For auto-glass shops, the theft wave had already generated significant repair revenue. The most common break-in method involved shattering a side window to gain interior access, driving elevated demand for door-glass replacements in cities with high concentrations of Hyundais and Kias throughout late 2022 and into 2023.

The theft epidemic also strained auto-glass parts inventories. High-volume demand for specific Hyundai and Kia door-glass part numbers created lead times that frustrated both shops and customers, particularly in cities where thefts were occurring in clusters.

NHTSA's announcement was a turning point, but not an immediate resolution. The software update required dealership visits, and throughput at Hyundai and Kia dealers was not infinite — meaning that break-in damage to un-updated vehicles would likely continue for months. Shops that built relationships with affected-vehicle owners during the crisis positioned themselves well for follow-on service visits.