[GeoSoul]

Thanks for finding and posting. Yes hopefully for us too.

Had to smile as she tried three times I think to get him to explain why immobilizers weren't installed from the beginning.

"It's a very short process. It's just a software reflash."

I noticed that too Tosen. She really seemed miffed (if you count the number of times she pushed her hair back when she was going for the kill) when she couldn't get this guy to take responsibility for criminal behavior.

I thought he kept his cool when she seemed more interested in nailing him for the TikTok inspired damages than what the actual theft upgrade KIA is providing. I would have reminded her that TikTok could start a challenge to smash iPads with bricks and that Apple should be held responsible for not putting smash proof screens on their tablets.

Definitely a graduate from the Action News Jackie school of journalistic excellence

 

[TosenR]

FWIW: There's a little bit of chatter going on (not much) over on the Sportage site about the "fix."

Kia vehicles are apparently SUPER easy to steal
...

This video below was posted on the Sportage site you linked to

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And then a follow up post on the Sportage thread

#164 Feb 23, 2023 (Edited)

And in a horrible twist of fate, that very guy who did the security update test video just got his Elantra stolen. Not boding well for the update, perhaps it fell under one of the mentioned use cases not in the video.

Well, it happened. My 17 Elantra SE was stolen and driven into the back of a UPS truck. This was after the Anti-Theft Logic update. I 100% confirm that I locked my car. Please invest in an AirTag

One comment that caught my eye was a user mentioning this being the 6th post-update HyunKia being stolen they’ve seen. That’s not reassuring.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[Hammerhead]

They need to have an immobilizer for thieves. Made outta lead.

 

[GeoSoul]

This video below was posted on the Sportage site you linked to

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And then a follow up post on the Sportage thread

#164 Feb 23, 2023 (Edited)

And in a horrible twist of fate, that very guy who did the security update test video just got his Elantra stolen. Not boding well for the update, perhaps it fell under one of the mentioned use cases not in the video.

Well, it happened. My 17 Elantra SE was stolen and driven into the back of a UPS truck. This was after the Anti-Theft Logic update. I 100% confirm that I locked my car. Please invest in an AirTag

One comment that caught my eye was a user mentioning this being the 6th post-update HyunKia being stolen they’ve seen. That’s not reassuring.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

He seemed quite happy with the update in the video. Without verified cases of failure, I wouldn't codemn the update before even getting it. They very well may have not followed the correct sequence just out of habit. I'll give it my own test before trashing it.

People can and do say anything on social media. Let's see what our own Kia Soul forum members say after getting it.

 

[5ft24]

Now here's a question that insurance companies haven't answered. What is their definition of a "passive immobilizer". Kia here is Washington is sending the club to specific police departments to distribute to Kia/Hyundai owners. However, they are only sending about 50 to each city. Up here there are way more of the vulnerable vehicles than 50 in each city. And the club is pretty much useless. Ways to defeat those have been public knowledge since right after they came out.
A kill switch? Will probably stop some of the Kiddies, but they are common and pretty much public knowledge of where to install, what wires to install them in etc.
And a further problem is blocking the videos showing how to steal the cars and prosecuting those that make them and spread them. Since Tik-Tock isn't banning them, they should be held accountable for every theft based off a video posted.
Kia and Hyundai need to have their noses held to the grindstone and be required to recall EVERY vehicle affected and retrofit them with sensors on the door/window that isn't alarmed. That would be a start. It shouldn't be the vehicle owners responsibility to fix a factory "oversight" at their own expense

 

[jeco30]

Has anyone had an issue getting a new insurance policy due to the immobilizer problem? My 2014 Soul has a push start so I think it doesn't have the issue, but concerned insurance companies will use this as an excuse to raise the rates on all Kia's.

Here’s The List Of Hyundai And Kia Models Being Blacklisted By State Farm | Carscoops

I had to talk with NJM when switching over from GEICO after their announced 25% rate increase request. NJM is insuring me but I don't have collision or comp because of the car's age (2012) and miles 130K - but NJM doesn't give a **** about The Club, they described it as a cheap, ineffective fix. Numerous class action suits will eventually force Kia/Hyundai to offer better fix

 

[5ft24]

Kia and Hyundai have a software update for the security system, but it depends on the dealer if they are willing to update it for free or not. It should be a mandated update.

 

[GeoSoul]

I had to talk with NJM when switching over from GEICO after their announced 25% rate increase request. NJM is insuring me but I don't have collision or comp because of the car's age (2012) and miles 130K - but NJM doesn't give a **** about The Club, they described it as a cheap, ineffective fix. Numerous class action suits will eventually force Kia/Hyundai to offer better fix

As of this week the Feds disagree:

“At this time, NHTSA has not determined that this issue constitutes either a safety defect or noncompliance requiring a recall,” wrote Cem Hatipoglu, NHTSA's acting associate director for enforcement, referring to the Hyundai and Kia vehicles susceptible to theft because they lack engine immobilizers.

In particular, Hatipoglu said, the federal standard for automotive safety does not require cars to come with immobilizers, the hardware at the center of the controversy that has put affected vehicle owners on edge.

Hatipoglu said the standard by which NHTSA would normally issue recalls “does not contemplate actions taken by criminal actors to break open or remove part of the steering column and take out the ignition lock to start a vehicle."

In casual parlance, that's what's called hot-wiring a car.

Feds decline to recall vulnerable Hyundai and Kia vehicles despite nationwide theft spree

A TikTok-inspired trend has led to at least eight deaths, 18 state attorneys general said in a letter to U.S. transportation officials.

www.nbcnews.com

 

[Flatsole]

Kia and Hyundai need to have their noses held to the grindstone and be required to recall EVERY vehicle affected and retrofit them with sensors on the door/window that isn't alarmed. That would be a start. It shouldn't be the vehicle owners responsibility to fix a factory "oversight" at their own expense

🤡

 

[Flatsole]

Numerous class action suits will eventually force Kia/Hyundai to offer better fix

🤡

 

[KaptainRandom]

It continues to amaze me how people buy a lower priced car, equiped as described, meeting or exceeding all govt regulations...
Then claim a defect for a properly working device.
If you did not buy immobilizer,
You did not get immobilizer.
Blaming the manufacturer for theft/damage
Is akin to blaming your home builder for when a burgalar breaks a window to enter your home to steal your stuff, CUZ THE HOMEBUILDER DID NOT PROVIDE ADT, THAT YOU DIDN'T PAY FOR.

 

[KaptainRandom]

Did you buy fog lights on your kia.
If you didn't get the fog light model,
And you have trouble driving in fog,
Is that kias fault?

 

[rhysoul]

Kia and Hyundai have a software update for the security system, but it depends on the dealer if they are willing to update it for free or not. It should be a mandated update.

This isn’t true. If your car is eligible for the software update, Kia will update the software for free. Only 2020-2021 Souls are eligible though. The older Souls are only getting a free “steering wheel locking device”, aka The Club.

All Kia and Hyundai 2022 and newer have an immobilzer standard from the factory.

 

[5ft24]

This isn’t true. If your car is eligible for the software update, Kia will update the software for free. Only 2020-2021 Souls are eligible though. The older Souls are only getting a free “steering wheel locking device”, aka The Club.

All Kia and Hyundai 2022 and newer have an immobilzer standard from the factory.

And insurance companies don't recognize the club as an effective immobilizer device

 

[GeoSoul]

This isn’t true. If your car is eligible for the software update, Kia will update the software for free. Only 2020-2021 Souls are eligible though. The older Souls are only getting a free “steering wheel locking device”, aka The Club.

All Kia and Hyundai 2022 and newer have an immobilzer standard from the factory.

It's amazing to me the misinformation in the media. Even recent articles are saying KIA did this great job of putting these software immobilizers on all older cars that didn't have them. When, like you pointed out, it's only a small fraction of Souls that got this update (like a year and a halfs worth). 2009-2019 not eligible.

Action News Jackie should pick that tidbit of information up and run with it. But she's busy covering other stuff....

 

[MonsterSoul]

It's amazing to me the misinformation in the media.

100% BS all the time is the new normal at many "media outlets".
Or maybe it's not that new.
I quit TV "news" years ago for that reason.
It's all road apples. Which is what we used to call those things that fell from a horses ass.
I could go on I suppose, but it is a pointless rant that will change nothing.
Just don't watch or listen or read, "the news".
It's an evil drug and will make you lose your mind.

 

[KaptainRandom]

And these same media outlets fail to report kias and hyundais are NOT in the Top 10 Most Stolen in the USA or in 49 of the 50 states.

The cars of the TikTok, being a JoyRide Challenge, are mostly recovered and make great media shots.
The Top 10 Most Stolen are taken by pros for parts and resell and are usually NOT recovered and therefore do not make great media shots.

 

[MonsterSoul]

Do you consider cutting off the hand of a thief to be barbaric?
I think maybe, but they won't do it more than twice.
Anyway, punishment fits the crime.

White collar thief, using your head?
You only get one. Then, The guillotine will claim her bloody prize!

Apolgies to Geddy Lee.

 

[GeoSoul]

Do you consider cutting off the hand of a thief to be barbaric?
I think maybe, but they won't do it more than twice.
Anyway, punishment fits the crime.

White collar thief, using your head?
You only get one. Then, The guillotine will claim her bloody prize!

Apolgies to Geddy Lee.

It does make you wonder what it will take to bring back lawful behavior and civility. We have so much teen gun usage & theft, on an extremely violent level. Hugs & sensitivity don't seem to be solving it.

 

[jeco30]

Kia and Hyundai have a software update for the security system, but it depends on the dealer if they are willing to update it for free or not. It should be a mandated update.

Dealers never give stuff away that they can sell, dooh. Unless you're talking about a free doodad when you overpay for a car.