Worst Tiktok Challenge

[paulbaxter]

There's apparently a Tiktok challenge going around that shows how to steal older model Hyundais and Kias.

I call it the worst challenge because my car is now among those stolen. Hadn't heard about it until the police officer told me about it when I made the report. Then the insurance adjustor told me that Hyundais and Kias are the vast majority of their stolen car reports.

Anyhow, if you own a Kia or Hyundai with an old fashioned key starter, maybe think about some extra security precautions.

[hepcat]

Sorry about your loss. This has been a thing for a few years now. In the Chicago area almost half of the cars stolen in 2022 were Hyundais and Kias.

[Kraken]

(Wherein Kraken learns that there is such a thing as a "Tiktok Challenge," and that it apparently doesn't involve clocks.)

[Skinypupy]

Thread title implies such a thing as a “best TikTok challenge”.

[Jeff V]

It could be worse...in some areas, insurance companies are now refusing to insure those cars.

[Kraken]

Well, to be more on topic: Why Kias and Hyundais? Just for luls? Does Tiktok hate Korea?

[dbt1949]

Used to be Hondas. Probably has to do at the ease of stealing them. And the profits to be made.

[Isgrimnur]

Thread title implies such a thing as a “best TikTok challenge”.

Delete the app.

[Anonymous Bosch]

Well, to be more on topic: Why Kias and Hyundais? Just for luls? Does Tiktok hate Korea?

Because they have a widely-circulated vulnerability that makes it easy to tea-leaf 'em with a simple USB cable:

Kia, Hyundai Offer Owners Security Kits, Locks After Targeted Car Thefts

It’s a tough time to be a Kia or Hyundai owner.

Cars from 2021 and earlier are being targeted, especially in the Midwest in cities like Milwaukee and St. Louis, because of a missing steering wheel component that makes it easy to drive off with a simple hack. The keyless hack is spreading widely on social media to the point that Hyundai is selling an aftermarket security kit and both companies are developing a theft-prevention software update for next year.

These older, lower-cost models like the Kia Rio and Sportage and the Hyundai Accent have a traditional turn-key ignition but no engine immobilizer, which requires a matching chip in a key fob to start the engine. The thieves can quickly hotwire the system with something as simple as a USB cable once the ignition cover is pried off. The carjackings are part of a TikTok trend called the “Kia Challenge.”

[LawBeefaroni]

Well, to be more on topic: Why Kias and Hyundais? Just for luls? Does Tiktok hate Korea?

There's a simple method for "hot-wiring" them using a USB key.

It's a huge problem here. Pretty much you need The Club or similar if you have one of the affected models.

They call the thieves Kia Boys and there has been a surge in minors, many without a driver's license, stealing these and joyriding and/or using them in subsequent crimes.

[LawBeefaroni]

Milwaukee.

One of the Kia boys having ambitions to do HVAC as a career warms the heart though.

[El Guapo]

ok, so who here was doing the "steal paulbaxter's car" challenge?

[naednek]

I have a kia forte that sits outside. I've heard of this for a while. I'm not getting concerned because insurance companies are starting to drop covergae for owners. Which is lame. After reading this thread, it pushed me to buy a steering wheel lock.

[paulbaxter]

It's been a wonderful car otherwise. 2014 Elantra. 200k miles and still running like a champ.

[EvilHomer3k]

It looks like if you have a push button start for your car (rather than a key) this vulnerability shouldn't affect you. My wife's Sedona has push button so sadly, it's not affected. I hate that car.

[Smoove_B]

My wife's Sedona has push button so sadly, it's not affected. I hate that car.

Have you considered creating a new Tiktok challenge?

[stimpy]

We have a 2022 Elantra.
Missed it by this much.....
I just hope the thieves check the model year before doing their thieving.

[paulbaxter]

My car was found and towed to a dealership for repairs. When I called them on Friday for a time estimate, all they would tell me is "the parts are on backorder."

My insurance covers a rental vehicle for a month, but I'm hoping I'm not out of pocket for several weeks beyond that. The car is all full of crap that the thief left behind. Food wrappers, a hat, a cross hanging from the mirror, an air freshener, and even a phone. I'm thinking this wasn't the work of criminal masterminds.

[Unagi]

An air freshener?

A cross ?

How long was your car missing?

[Sudy]

Must've been a joyride situation; they abandoned the car once they hit the retaining wall.

[Isgrimnur]

Hyundai and Kia agree to $200 million legal settlement over theft issues May 18, 2023

The settlement, which could cover up to nine million vehicle owners, provides a total of up to $145 million that will be distributed to owners whose vehicles have been stolen to help cover their out-of-pocket losses.

This could include payments of up to $6,125 per owner for the complete loss of their vehicle as well as payments for damage to the vehicle and to personal property for up to $3,375. It could also include payments for insurance-related expenses and other costs, including car rental, taxi fare, ride share costs or public transit payments not otherwise covered by insurance.

Including costs related to installing anti-theft software systems and payments for other anti-theft measures, the total cost of the settlement could be slightly more or less than $200 million, depending on how many owners participate.

The vehicles in question, 2015-2019 Hyundai and Kia models, such as the Hyundai Santa Fe and Tucson and the Kia Forte and Sportage, when equipped with turn-key ignitions — as opposed to cars that only require a button to be pushed to start — are roughly twice as likely to be stolen as other vehicles of a similar age.

I'm hoping I'm not out of pocket for several weeks beyond that.

If you were, you have recourse.

[naednek]

Hyundai and Kia agree to $200 million legal settlement over theft issues May 18, 2023

The settlement, which could cover up to nine million vehicle owners, provides a total of up to $145 million that will be distributed to owners whose vehicles have been stolen to help cover their out-of-pocket losses.

This could include payments of up to $6,125 per owner for the complete loss of their vehicle as well as payments for damage to the vehicle and to personal property for up to $3,375. It could also include payments for insurance-related expenses and other costs, including car rental, taxi fare, ride share costs or public transit payments not otherwise covered by insurance.

Including costs related to installing anti-theft software systems and payments for other anti-theft measures, the total cost of the settlement could be slightly more or less than $200 million, depending on how many owners participate.

The vehicles in question, 2015-2019 Hyundai and Kia models, such as the Hyundai Santa Fe and Tucson and the Kia Forte and Sportage, when equipped with turn-key ignitions — as opposed to cars that only require a button to be pushed to start — are roughly twice as likely to be stolen as other vehicles of a similar age.

I'm hoping I'm not out of pocket for several weeks beyond that.

If you were, you have recourse.

Will they refund me for this?

[Isgrimnur]

You can always ask.

[Jeff V]

Eat your Tide pods and shut up.

Years ago, I was out to dinner with some people and one locked their keys in their car (a Kia I think, could have been Hyundai). One guy in the group had a massive keyring, and decided to try them all. And one worked! If was his key to The Club -- an anti-theft device! Months later I was at a cycling convention and they tried to sell me on The Club to protect my bike. I told them the story, and they sheepishly admitted that their keys could open the doors and start that car.