Hyundai has introduced a free anti-theft software upgrade for its vehicles in response to the increasing thefts of its vehicles in the United States. The upgrade aims to prevent vehicles from starting during a method of theft popularized on TikTok and other social media channels. The technology will be launched as a service campaign for almost 4 million vehicles, with the upgrade rolling out first to more than 1 million model year 2017-2020 Elantra, 2015-2019 Sonata, and 2020-2021 Venue vehicles.
The upgrade will be available from February 14 and will be performed by Hyundai dealers, taking less than an hour for installation. Following the upgrade, each vehicle will be affixed with window decals to alert potential thieves that the vehicle is equipped with enhanced anti-theft technology.
Service Campaign Rollout Schedule
Phase 1:
- 2017-2020 Elantra
- 2015-2019 Sonata
- 2020-2021 Venue
In June 2023, the software upgrade will be available for far more vehicles (Phase 2). They are:
- 2018-2022 Accent
- 2011-2016 Elantra
- 2021-2022 Elantra
- 2018-2020 Elantra GT
- 2011-2014 Genesis Coupe
- 2018-2022 Kona
- 2020-2021 Palisade
- 2013-2018 Santa Fe Sport
- 2013-2022 Santa Fe
- 2019 Santa Fe XL
- 2011-2014 Sonata
- 2011-2022 Tucson
- 2012-2017, 2019-2021 Veloster
Randy Parker, CEO of Hyundai Motor America, said: “Hyundai is committed to ensuring the quality and integrity of our products through continuous improvement and is pleased to provide affected customers with an additional theft deterrent through this software upgrade.”
Hyundai is prioritizing the upgrade’s availability for the owners and lessees of their highest-selling vehicles and those most targeted by thieves. The upgrade will be made available to the remaining eligible affected vehicles by June 2023.
Hyundai is also providing free steering wheel locks to law enforcement agencies for distribution to local residents who own or lease affected models. All Hyundai vehicles produced since November 2021 are equipped with an engine immobilizer as standard equipment.
The software upgrade modifies certain vehicle control modules on Hyundai vehicles equipped with standard “turn-key-to-start” ignition systems. As a result, locking the doors with the key fob will set the factory alarm and activate an “ignition kill” feature so the vehicles cannot be started when subjected to the popularized theft mode. Customers must use the key fob to unlock their vehicles to deactivate the “ignition kill” feature.
Hyundai is notifying customers about the anti-theft service campaign through multiple points of contact, including mail, email, outbound phone contact, and a dedicated website. Customers can input their vehicle’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on www.hyundaiantitheft.com to find out when their vehicle is eligible for the software upgrade.
For customers with 2011-2022 model year vehicles without engine immobilizers, Hyundai is finalizing a program to reimburse them for the purchase of steering wheel locks. More details will be provided to these customers soon.
Source: Hyundai Motor America
