Kia and Hyundai Pay $200 Million for Cars That Could Be Stolen With a USB Cable

Approximately 9 million Kia and Hyundai vehicles manufactured between 2011 and 2022 were sold without engine immobilizer anti-theft technology — a basic security feature standard in virtually all other modern vehicles. The omission was a cost-cutting measure.

In 2022, a viral TikTok trend dubbed the "Kia Boys" demonstrated how these vehicles could be stolen using nothing more than a USB cable and a screwdriver. The videos went viral, and thefts of Kia and Hyundai vehicles skyrocketed nationwide. Some cities reported increases of over 800% in thefts of these specific vehicles.

Vehicle owners — many of whom were unaware their cars lacked basic security features — faced devastating consequences. Cars were stolen, crashed, and totaled. Insurance rates skyrocketed. Some owners found their vehicles uninsurable. Others were stuck with car payments on stolen vehicles.

Multiple cities, including New York City, Chicago, and St. Louis, filed separate lawsuits against the automakers, arguing that the theft epidemic was straining police resources and endangering public safety.

The automakers initially responded slowly, offering only a steering wheel lock as a remedy. It wasn't until sustained public pressure and regulatory attention that they developed a software update to address the vulnerability.