Kia and Hyundai have jointly announced a comprehensive plan to provide free physical anti-theft repairs to millions of their vehicles that were manufactured without built-in anti-theft mechanisms—an initiative that forms a central component of a large-scale settlement reached with numerous U.S. states. This agreement, which encompasses approximately nine million eligible vehicles produced and sold between 2011 and 2022, requires the installation of a specially designed zinc sleeve around each vehicle’s ignition cylinder. The purpose of this hardware enhancement is to strengthen the ignition system’s security and specifically counter the wave of thefts associated with the infamous “Kia Boyz” phenomenon, a viral social media trend that demonstrated how these cars could be unlawfully started using nothing more than a standard USB cable.
According to reports published by the Associated Press, the financial impact of this large-scale repair initiative could amount to as much as $500 million. This figure does not include several additional millions of dollars that the manufacturers have agreed to pay in restitution to affected owners of Hyundai and Kia vehicles who suffered losses or property damage after their cars were stolen. In addition to compensating for these damages, both automakers have pledged to ensure that every future model they produce will be equipped with an engine immobilizer—a sophisticated electronic component that prevents a vehicle’s engine from starting unless the correct key signal is detected, thereby rendering hot-wiring and similar theft methods practically impossible.
The initial vulnerability that made these particular Hyundai and Kia models prime targets for theft stemmed from their lack of immobilizers, a feature that is routinely included in most modern automobiles. This absence essentially opened the door to highly publicized crimes after online videos began circulating on major social media platforms, depicting step-by-step instructions for exploiting the flaw. The resulting “Kia Challenge,” as it came to be known, not only caused a surge in car thefts but also contributed to numerous accidents, some tragically involving fatalities, as stolen vehicles were recklessly driven or crashed.
In a related development from 2023, both companies had previously settled a separate class-action lawsuit over the same vulnerability by agreeing to pay approximately $200 million. As part of that earlier resolution, the automakers introduced a software-based immobilizer intended to reduce the rate of theft by updating the vehicle’s electronic control units. While this technological fix successfully mitigated a notable portion of the problem, it did not eliminate it entirely. At that stage, the physical zinc sleeve was offered only to those vehicle owners whose models were incompatible with the software update. Under the new settlement, however, the companies are expanding the scope of this remedy, making the protective hardware installation available free of charge on a far greater scale, encompassing millions of additional vehicles that had previously been excluded.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, who spearheaded the 2023 investigation culminating in this recent multi-state agreement, described the entire episode as a crisis that, in his words, “originated in a corporate boardroom, spread across the internet, and ended in tragedy when individuals began stealing these vehicles.” His statement underscores the complex chain of responsibility connecting corporate decision-making, digital culture, and real-world consequences. The settlement thus represents not only a logistical and financial commitment by Kia and Hyundai but also a broader acknowledgment of the role that corporate accountability plays in consumer safety and public trust.
Sourse: https://www.theverge.com/news/847454/kia-boyz-settlement-kia-hyundai-fix-ignition-cylinder
