Certain models of Kias and Hyundais have been specifically targeted for car thefts.

Martin Austermuhle / WAMU/DCist

Prince George’s County Police gave away 500 steering wheel lock devices to help with Kia theft prevention in a District Heights parking lot on Monday, according to NBC4. The initiative comes after a national rise in Kia and Hyundai thefts. In D.C., the Metropolitan Police Department is also distributing wheel locks today on a first-come-first-serve basis to help curb the thefts.

Both Kia and Hyundais built between 2010 and 2021 have been targeted after trends on TikTok and other online platforms have shown thieves how to use a USB cable to hotwire the vehicles that use a mechanical key — not a key fob and push-button start to the car. The Metropolitan Police Department reports the two brands have accounted for 31% of all stolen cars in D.C. in the first few weeks of this year, according to WUSA9.

In addition to steering wheel locks, Nikki Peele, the author of Congress Heights On The Rise blog, shared the following tips in a recent issue after her own Kia Soul was stolen (for more details, you can check out her newsletter here):

  • Put a note in your window indicating that your ignition has been upgraded and the USB cable hack won’t work.
  • If your car doesn’t have a tracking device, get an Apple Air Tag ($29) or something similar so you can locate your vehicle quickly.
  • Don’t leave anything you aren’t prepared to lose in your car.
  • Check to see if you have rental car coverage and for how long in the case of a stolen vehicle.
  • Use a car cover.
  • Chain and padlock your tires.
  • Check your insurance coverage to make sure your deductible is at a level you can handle. Car theft does not waive your insurance deductible.

Progressive and State Farm are refusing to cover specific Hyundai and Kia models in certain states because they’ve been deemed “too easy to steal,” according to CNN.

Kia and Hyundai say they will be providing a software update that will extend the car alarm from 30 seconds to a minute, and it’ll require the key to be in the ignition for the car to start, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Filed Under: car theft, hyundai, kia, wheel lock,