Kia Challenge

The Kia Challenge is a TikTok trend linked to a series of motor vehicle thefts in 2022 targeting Kia and Hyundai vehicles in the United States and Australia. The thefts, mainly perpetrated by teenagers,[1] have resulted in four deaths in the United States and a large increase in thefts of the affected car models.

Background

The "Kia Boyz" trend began in Milwaukee in 2021 and quickly began spreading across the Midwest. A video was posted on TikTok on July 12, 2022, where the author uses a USB connector on a naked key slot and successfully hotwires a car.[2] 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.[3] The video was taken down on July 25.[2]

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 were reported to have participated in these thefts.[1]

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.[4]

Australia

In Brisbane, two Kia cars were damaged by Kia Challenge participants in failed attempts to steal the vehicles.[5]

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.[2]

Starting February 14, Hyundai introduced a free anti-theft software patch for some models of vehicle, and by June 23, 2023, 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.[6]

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

References
  1. DiLella, Chris; Day, Andrea (September 8, 2022). "TikTok challenge spurs rise in thefts of Kia, Hyundai cars". CNBC. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  2. 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.
  3. Stumpf, Rob (August 2, 2022). "How Thieves Are Stealing Hyundais and Kias With Just a USB Cable". Thedrive.com. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  4. 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.
  5. Nagel, Jessica (July 30, 2022). "Alarming new TikTok challenge targets Kia cars". 9Now. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  6. 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.


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