Kansas City Kia owner hit twice by car thieves—even after security update
Tess Koppelman did everything right. She got the security update for her Kia Sorento, meant to stop the TikTok Kia Challenge thieves. It didn’t work. Her Kia was broken into twice in two months. Now, she barely drives it. She told Reader’s Digest: “I don’t drive that car anywhere anymore unless it’s daylight and in the suburbs.”
Kia and Hyundai still top the most stolen list
The Kia Challenge started in 2022 when viral TikTok videos showed how to steal Kia and Hyundai models using a USB cable. Thieves targeted models with mechanical keys and no immobilizers.
By 2023, Kia and Hyundai took six of the top ten spots on the most stolen cars list, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). Hyundai Elantra was number one, with 48,445 thefts. Hyundai Sonata followed at 42,813 thefts.
“It’s been a bad year for Kia owners here in Kansas City,” Koppelman said.
Even with the security updates, thefts continue. Nicholas Zeitlinger, an NICB public affairs specialist, confirmed that Kia and Hyundai models didn’t appear on past top ten lists before the viral videos. He said, “Before the trend started, these models did not appear on our top 10 most stolen vehicles lists.”
The Hyundai/Kia theft security fix that didn’t fix it
Kia and Hyundai responded with software updates and steering wheel lock giveaways. The fix was supposed to stop thefts. Instead, many owners still got hit. Koppelman wasn’t alone. Another customer at her body shop had a Kia broken into three times in one summer. To make matters worse, her insurance agent has struggled to find insurance for her Kia.
Maya Afilalo, an industry analyst at AutoInsurance.com, explained why these models remain vulnerable. “These vehicles are so attractive to thieves because they don’t require special skills or tools to steal,” she said.
Even cities took action. Chicago sued Kia and Hyundai, blaming them for 41% of all car thefts in the city. Seattle, Cleveland, and New York also reported massive Kia and Hyundai theft spikes.
How do you stay ahead of car thieves?
Koppelman has one solution: drive less. Other Kia and Hyundai owners may not have that option. She’s also changed when and where she’ll drive–or park. With thefts still rising and security updates failing, one question remains: what will it take to stop the Kia Challenge for good?
