SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News)-Kia and Hyundai cars have been vulnerable to break-ins for years due to their missing protective features in their anti-theft systems.
In June 2023, New York City sued the two firms for failing to install devices to prevent their cars from being stolen.
Recent social media challenges, on TikTok in particular, continue to encourage young teens to steal these vehicles off the street with objects as simple as USB cords/chargers or coins.
These trends have pushed Hyundai to begin hosting software clinics throughout the nation to install protective features into their cars before the issue gets even worse.
“I’m thinking of definitely switching vehicles,” said Marcus Waller, a Central New York resident, 2014 Kia Sorento owner. “My wife and I split our car, so if it gets stolen, we have to deal with double the damage as neither of us would be able to get to work for a while especially if our insurance does not cover stolen objects.”
“These car break-ins are definitely prevalent in Syracuse, as the majority of the break-ins, of the 63% increase this year, have involved Kia and Hyundai users,” said Lieutenant Matthew Malinowski , the Public Information Officer of the Syracuse Police Department.
According to the Wired, auto theft has escalated throughout the country, not just in New York, “In Chicago, for example, average car theft rates of about 850 per month are now consistently up to more than 2,000 per month. “
The Syracuse Police Department said it will continue trying to tackle this issue by promoting these clinics and targeting manufacturers that continue to sell cars without these upgrades.
The next clinic will take place in Rochester on Nov. 17 and Nov. 18 at the Monroe Community College parking lot from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Three more clinics are going to start in Chicago and Minnesota, making the clinics nationwide.
