A damaged steering column of a Kia Soul
A damaged steering column of a Kia Soul as a result of the Kia Challenge

The Kia Challenge is a viral TikTok trend attributed to a series of motor vehicle thefts targeting Kia and Hyundai vehicles in the United States manufactured between 2011 and 2021. The trend, which began in October 2022, has led to eight fatalities, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.[1]

Background

Absence of immobilizers (2011–2021)

Affected vehicles[2]
Brand Model Model years
Hyundai Accent 2015–2021
Elantra
Kona
Santa Fe
Tucson
Veloster 2015–2018
Kia Forte 2015–2021
Optima
Optima Hybrid 2015–2016
Rio 2015–2021
Sedona
Sorento 2015–2016
Soul 2015–2021
Sportage

Until 2011, most Kia vehicles were manufactured with immobilizers—electronic security devices that prevent the engine from being started unless a proper key is inserted—a system present in most Hyundai vehicles until 2016.[3] In Kia Sportage models manufactured in 2010, the immobilizer system comprised a transponder in the ignition key, an antenna coil in the key cylinder, and a SMARTRA unit.[4] Kia vehicles manufactured from 2011 to 2021 and Hyundai vehicles manufactured from 2016 to 2021 that use a steel key, in comparison to a key fob and a push-button start mechanism, lack immobilizers.[5]

Kia Boys and thefts (2021–2023)

In February 2021, Milwaukee, Wisconsin began experiencing an increase in reckless driving and car thefts, particularly cars manufactured by Kia and Hyundai. In response, the Milwaukee Police Department began offering free steering-wheel locks to owners.[6] A Traffic Safety Unit was formed in March.[7] In June, a 16-year-old was killed and five other teenagers were injured following a police pursuit.[8]

The perpetrators of these car thefts remained isolated until a video circulated in August showing an unidentified driver nearly striking pedestrians at John Marshall High School, when some began using hashtags identifying themselves as members of the "Kia Boys" or "Kia Boyz". Members of the Kia Boyz were depicted in a documentary uploaded to YouTube in May 2022; the video depicts a stolen red 2021 Hyundai Elantra from Hertz. Police identified the driver as 17-year-old Markell Hughes and arrested him in June.[9] In 2023, he was again accused of driving another stolen car.[10]

A video was posted on TikTok on July 12, 2022, where the author uses a USB connector on a naked key slot and successfully starts a car.[11] This vulnerability exists on a type of ignition switch used in many Kia/Hyundai cars sold until 2021, which are not equipped with an immobilizer system.[12] The video was taken down on July 25.[11]

Incidents

United States

In Los Angeles, the trend has been linked to an 85% increase in thefts of Kia and Hyundai vehicles in 2022 compared to 2021. In Chicago, thefts of the affected vehicle models increased by over nine times, and children as young as 11 years of age were reported to have participated in these thefts.[13]

New York

On October 23, 2022, six teenagers aged 14 to 19 stole a Kia Sportage in Buffalo, New York. Four of the teenagers were killed when they subsequently crashed the stolen car. The Buffalo Police Department linked the incident to the Kia Challenge.[14]

Washington

On December 2, 2023 five teenagers in Lakewood, Washington were driving in a stolen Kia Sportage with at least three guns in their possession.[15] Lakewood police attempted to stop the vehicle after receiving reports that it was stolen, and would later cite the "Kia Boyz" online trend for the crime.[15] One of the occupants, a 16-year-old boy, drowned in a Lakewood swamp while fleeing the police.[15] A 14-year-old and 17-year-old were charged; two others including an adult remain at large.[15]

Australia

In Brisbane, two Kia cars were damaged by Kia Challenge participants in failed attempts to steal the vehicles.[16] This is despite the vulnerability not existing in Australian cars manufactured since 2001.[17]

Responses from involved companies

TikTok has committed to removing pertinent videos uploaded by Kia Challenge thieves from the platform. Kia and Hyundai have both expressed awareness of the increased thefts of their vehicles, with Kia also noting that new vehicles starting with their 2022 model year now come with immobilizers installed.[11]

Starting February 14, 2023, Hyundai introduced a free anti-theft software patch for some models of vehicle, and by June 23, all remaining eligible vehicles will have a patch that can be installed at a Hyundai dealership. Some models are unable to be upgraded, and instead customers will be reimbursed for steering wheel locks.[18]

To settle a class-action lawsuit in the United States against Hyundai and Kia, the two brands agreed to pay about US$200 million, of which up to $145 million would offset out-of-pocket losses that car owners had incurred. The settlement was announced on May 18, 2023, and requires approval by a federal judge.[19] However, it was rejected by federal judge James V. Selna.[20]

See also

  • Devious lick, a 2021 internet challenge which encouraged participants to engage in theft of school property.

References

Citations

  1. ↑ Hawkins, Andrew J. (May 18, 2023). "Hyundai and Kia agree to $200 million settlement over TikTok car theft challenge". The Verge. Retrieved July 15, 2023.
  2. ↑ Demattia, Nico (February 5, 2023). "These Hyundai and Kia Models Are Blacklisted By State Farm Insurance Over Thefts". The Drive. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  3. ↑ Hyundai Sonata 2015 Owner's Manual 2015, p. 107.
  4. ↑ Kia Sportage 2010 Owner's Manual 2010, p. 15.
  5. ↑ Frank, Annalise (August 27, 2022). "Thieves across America are stealing Hyundais and Kias in seconds". Axios. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  6. ↑ Robles, Christian (June 10, 2021). "Milwaukee has stepped up its response to reckless driving. With summer upon us, is it enough?". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  7. ↑ Lynch, La Risa (March 3, 2021). "'We've had enough of it': City leaders' special Traffic Safety Unit to battle reckless driving in Milwaukee". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  8. ↑ Hughes, Elliot (June 16, 2021). "16-year-old dies, five other teens injured after a stolen vehicle crashes into another car, police say — latest in reckless driving crisis". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  9. ↑ Bentley, Drake (June 28, 2022). "Criminal charges filed against a participant of the 'Kia Boys' video. He could face 22 years in prison". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  10. ↑ https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/crime/2023/09/20/driver-in-viral-kia-boys-video-accused-of-driving-stolen-car/70909754007/
  11. 1 2 3 List, Madeleine (July 25, 2022). "TikTok trend blamed for spike in car thefts. These brands are being targeted the most". Miami Herald. Miami. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  12. ↑ Stumpf, Rob (August 2, 2022). "How Thieves Are Stealing Hyundais and Kias With Just a USB Cable". Thedrive.com. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  13. ↑ DiLella, Chris; Day, Andrea (September 8, 2022). "TikTok challenge spurs rise in thefts of Kia, Hyundai cars". CNBC. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  14. ↑ Do Couto, Sarah (October 26, 2022). "4 teens dead in crash possibly linked to TikTok car theft challenge, police say – National". Global News. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  15. 1 2 3 4 Bsanti, Puneet (December 8, 2023). "Records reveal more details about night boy died in Lakewood swamp while fleeing police". The News Tribune. Tacoma, Washington. Retrieved December 15, 2023. Lakewood police mentioned the "Kia Boyz" in police reports, court records show, referencing a national trend where teenagers steal cars, sometimes at gunpoint.
  16. ↑ Nagel, Jessica (July 30, 2022). "Alarming new TikTok challenge targets Kia cars". 9Now. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  17. ↑ "Hyundai, Kia update security after TikTok challenge car thefts". ABC News. February 16, 2023. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  18. ↑ Gabriel, Ira (February 14, 2023). "Hyundai Introduces Free Anti-Theft Software Upgrade, Beginning With More Than 1 Million Elantras, Sonatas and Venues". hyundainews.com. Archived from the original on February 17, 2023. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  19. ↑ Medina, Eduardo (May 18, 2023). "Kia and Hyundai to Pay $200 Million to Settle Suit Over Car Thefts". The New York Times. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  20. ↑ "Judge declines to approve Hyundai/Kia class action settlement, noting weak proposed remedies". AP News. August 17, 2023.

Works cited


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