Car theft has been on the rise nationwide throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is no exception. Police there report that car theft is up 172% in the city through October 18. Except for Kia and Hyundai vehicles.
In just the first six months of the year, Hyundai thefts are up more than 1,700%. Kia thefts nearly doubled that rise. They are up by almost 3,200%.
Wait…what?
A Technology Issue
Most of the vehicles targeted have been base model trims (and only base model trims) of 2015-or-newer Hyundais and 2011-or-newer Kias. Those vehicles share two traits – they lack an immobilizer, and breaking in through the rear window appears not to trigger an alarm.
Related: Does Auto Insurance Cover Theft?
An immobilizer is an electronic security device that prevents a car from starting unless the correct transponder – built into the smart key – is present. Most modern cars have them. But Hyundai and Kia, both part-owned by South Korea’s Hyundai Motor Company, did not add them to base model trims of their entire fleet until recently.
If you’re a Hyundai or Kia owner wondering whether you should be concerned, check your key. If it’s a simple steel key, your car may lack an immobilizer. If the head of your key is contained in a plastic housing, or you have a fob with buttons to remotely lock and unlock the doors, your car has an immobilizer.
Both companies have confirmed that all their 2022 models use immobilizers.
But their older cars don’t. So, the owner of a local repair shop told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, “thieves know they can break the back window without setting off an alarm, unlock the door, quickly peel back the steering column, and either use a screwdriver or a USB port to crank the car and go.”
Related: The Ten Most-Stolen Vehicles
Milwaukee ABC-affiliate WISN reports that “The city is strongly considering suing two automakers whose vehicles account for most of the thefts” under public nuisance laws. “We’ve looked at a number of potential causes of action. We have not joined any lawsuits at this point,” Deputy City Attorney Yolanda McGowan explains.
Hyundai, Kia Working on a Solution
The companies are now cooperating with police to find a solution to the problem, telling Car and Driver in a statement that they are “working closely with the Milwaukee Police Department and other local officials and departments.” They will distribute free anti-theft steering wheel locks to owners of Hyundai and Kia vehicles that lack immobilizers.