Is TikTok Causing More Hyundais and Kias To Be Stolen?
Is a TikTok trend behind a spike in Kia and Hyundai thefts?
Written by Andrew Kidd
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Table of Contents
- What does TikTok have to do with it?
- Why Kia and Hyundai cars?
- The automakers' response
- Is it really TikTok's fault?
- Find affordable protection for your car with Jerry
Load full table of contents
TikTok is responsible for some of the most popular (and memeable) content on the internet. From “eating” laundry detergent pods to kicking in doors, the social media app has influenced many of its users—particularly teenagers—to partake in sometimes dangerous activities for clout.
What does TikTok have to do with it?
It's being called the "Kia challenge," and unlike many other TikTok challenges, this one can result in costly property damage as the perpetrators often crash or abandon the stolen vehicles elsewhere after taking them on joyrides.
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Why Kia and Hyundai cars?
Why wouldn't they take something hotter than a Kia or Hyundai? It's because certain models of these vehicles can be boosted with something as simple as a screwdriver and phone charging cable. The method doesn't work with push-to-start vehicles, or those equipped with immobilizer devices.
While the "Kia Boyz" are reportedly based in Milwaukee, car thefts of Kia and Hyundai vehicles are up across the country.
In Louisville, Kentucky alone, 52 Kia and Hyundai models were stolen between July 1 and July 25. Police said approximately half of the vehicles had been recovered at the time of the report.
Another 56 vehicles—Kia or Hyundai models making up a little less than half that number—were stolen in the past two weeks in St. Petersburg, Florida. Other cities; like Grand Rapids, Michigan; Memphis, Tennessee; and Cincinnati, Ohio have also seen an uptick in stolen Hyundai and Kia vehicles in June.
But Milwaukee is the worst-hit area. It's gotten so bad that the city is even considering taking the automakers to court over it for having a "real detrimental impact on the quality of life" of residents.
The automakers' response
Kia spokespeople have told the media that 2022 models and newer ones are not susceptible to this method of theft, but car thieves might not know the difference between more recent model years since styling can be pretty similar. That means even if
thieves
aren't successful in stealing your car, you've still got some pricey repair work to deal with.And with the price of new cars the way they are currently, it's unlikely that everyone is going to be able to upgrade to a new Kia or Hyundai to benefit from those theft deterrents.
Is it really TikTok's fault?
Maybe. TikTok is a content platform that allows users to post practically whatever they want so long as they adhere to its
community guidelines
. Those guidelines specifically prohibit posting, uploading, streaming or sharing any content that "describes or provides instructional detail on how to perform a dangerous activity," as well as "dangerous games, dares, challenges, or stunts that might lead to injury or property damage."Grand theft auto seems like it would safely fall into that category, so hopefully users posting that content are getting banned and, ideally, reported to the local authorities. But beyond that, the content platform likely won't see any real consequences for allowing these videos to be posted in the first place.
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In the event your Kia or Hyundai gets boosted, you should definitely make sure you're properly covered.
The best way to get the lowest rate on your car insurance is to shop around—and
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