Steering wheel lock offered from Kia for 2011 Soul

Sounds like good customer service / care.

A software update for a 2011 car? It will not explode or anything. So, Why?

MonsterSoul said:

Sounds like good customer service / care.

A software update for a 2011 car? It will not explode or anything. So, Why?

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Yes, it’s nice they’re including the 1st Gen for the free steering wheel lock device.

Gen 1 has computers too, but I guess it’s too old for them to bother developing an update for it like the other generations are getting.

rhysoul said:

Yes, it’s nice they’re including the 1st Gen for the free steering wheel lock device.

Gen 1 has computers too, but I guess it’s too old for them to bother developing an update for it like the other generations are getting.

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Are you thinking any of the Gen 2 Souls will be getting the software update?

GeoSoul said:

Are you thinking any of the Gen 2 Souls will be getting the software update?

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Yes. I can’t believe a 2014-2019 Kia Rio is getting the software update but the 2nd generation Soul isn’t. I don’t think manual transmission owners will get it though.

So, I don’t believe that news story you posted recently. I think there was some misinformation in it. But then again, I could be completely wrong. We should know soon.

rhysoul said:

Yes. I can’t believe a 2014-2019 Kia Rio is getting the software update but the 2nd generation Soul isn’t. I don’t think manual transmission owners will get it though.

So, I don’t believe that news story you posted recently. I think there was some misinformation in it. But then again, I could be completely wrong. We should know soon.

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I sure hope you're right. CBS news said this:

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 4.5 million Kias are eligible for the software update. Anyone with a 2011-2021 model with a twist-to-start ignition system is eligible.

GeoSoul said:

I sure hope you're right. CBS news said this:

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 4.5 million Kias are eligible for the software update. Anyone with a 2011-2021 model with a twist-to-start ignition system is eligible.

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There’s still too much confusion with this and Kia hasn’t done anything to clarify. Already that report above is inaccurate since my 2011 Soul + was only eligible for the steering wheel lock, not the software update.

rhysoul said:

There’s still too much confusion with this and Kia hasn’t done anything to clarify. Already that report above is inaccurate since my 2011 Soul + was only eligible for the steering wheel lock, not the software update.

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It's being handled by Kia badly & the media is still misleading the public with tabloid style journalism.

Our local ABC news once again reported last night that "people are stealing Kia's with just a USB cable." Like if you have a USB cable......you just drive off with a free Kia.

He left out the fact that you must first violently bust out the safety glass and then break apart the steering column. If you're able to do that, and not be noticed, you can pretty much turn the ignition with a multitude of items, one of which is a USB plug (the "cable" has nothing to do with it) or a swiss army knife or the pancake flipper from the Easy Bake Oven collection.

rhysoul said:

Got a notice in the mail for my 2011 Soul + for a free steering wheel lock today.

I’m not going to bother ordering it for that car, but it seems like even the first Gen is getting something. But it’s not a software update. Still nothing from Kia for my 2019 though.

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i just got the same letter today for my 2010 Soul stick shift. I don't know what this software update is all about as I have not been keeping up with it, but hey my usb port quit working a few years ago, soooo.
I'm sure that's not what they are talking about, Lol. I've been meaning to put a kill switch in, so maybe I'll go ahead and do it.

Cash2010 said:

i just got the same letter today for my 2010 Soul stick shift. I don't know what this software update is all about as I have not been keeping up with it, but hey my usb port quit working a few years ago, soooo.
I'm sure that's not what they are talking about, Lol. I've been meaning to put a kill switch in, so maybe I'll go ahead and do it.

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Did Kia offer you the software update for your 2010?

Cash2010 said:

i just got the same letter today for my 2010 Soul stick shift. I don't know what this software update is all about as I have not been keeping up with it, but hey my usb port quit working a few years ago, soooo.
I'm sure that's not what they are talking about, Lol. I've been meaning to put a kill switch in, so maybe I'll go ahead and do it.

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The software update is like a hacked together version of an engine kill. It requires you to use the key fob to lock and unlock your car. It won’t let it start otherwise.

So if you use the fob to lock the car and someone tries to steal it in the middle of the night it won’t start unless you used the key fob to unlock the door. That’s how I understand the software update to work.

First Gen (10-11 at least, who knows about 12-13) is not getting that, we get just The Club.

It's a joke.

These locks have been considered trash since they were all the rage back in the 90's when all you would see is commercials for" the club"

A child could bypass them

johnyj said:

It's a joke.

These locks have been considered trash since they were all the rage back in the 90's when all you would see is commercials for" the club"

A child could bypass them

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Yes, I agree. They’re basically just a deterrent. If someone wants to take your car, the club isn’t going to stop them.

rhysoul said:

Yes, I agree. They’re basically just a deterrent. If someone wants to take your car, the club isn’t going to stop them.

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Amen. There is no such thing as an unstealable car, if a thief wants it bad enough.

rhysoul said:

Yes, I agree. They’re basically just a deterrent. If someone wants to take your car, the club isn’t going to stop them.

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Flatsole said:

Amen. There is no such thing as an unstealable car, if a thief wants it bad enough.

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I too agree. If a Gone In 60 Seconds level type thief wants it he/she is going to get it. But I doubt, at least I haven't heard, that those kinds of thieves are targets Kia Souls.

It is the looking to go joyriding, brute force attacking (break window, tear apart steering column), punk thief I want to deter. And so thus finding and utilizing some reasonably priced method - since looking like Kia won't be providing an immobilzer upgrade/update - for (hopefully) causing idiot, unskilled thief to

1. not break window and/or
2. not tear apart steering column and/or
3. not be able to drive car away.

A theft deterrent method that doesn't involve every night, all night sitting up in a lawn chair, auto-loading shotgun in hand, and an arm hooked up to an intravenous drip of No Doz.

Actually I park inside overnight so my main concerns are for when away from car at a department store or venue, and while parked for work.

I have a keyless push button starter on my 2013 Soul Exclaim and I got the letter. I figure if someone’s dumb enough to try to steal a 10 year old car, they’re dumb enough not to notice the steering wheel column trick won’t work in my Kia.

rhysoul said:

Got a notice in the mail for my 2011 Soul + for a free steering wheel lock today.

I’m not going to bother ordering it for that car, but it seems like even the first Gen is getting something. But it’s not a software update. Still nothing from Kia for my 2019 though.

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Got the same thing a couple of days ago, went ahead and ordered it...don't know that I'll use it, but if my insurance company makes any noise I'll have a reply for them...

Got one coming for my 2010 Exclaim, don't know if I will use it or not.

Buzz said:

Got one coming for my 2010 Exclaim, don't know if I will use it or not.

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Kia is sending you one? Very cool. Someone was just asking why 2010 models were excluded but maybe they aren't.

GeoSoul said:

Did Kia offer you the software update for your 2010?

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No, Have not seen a software update offer.