Hyundai Offers Free Anti-Theft Upgrade In Response to Thefts and Insurance Issues

If you have watched the mainstream news lately, you may have seen some FUD reporting about Hyundai vehicles. Some viral interweb content makes it sound as if Hyundai vehicles are being stolen in droves. Fact or fiction, Hyundai has just nipped the problem in the bud.

In response to the theft risk in its vehicles without push-button ignitions and immobilizing anti-theft devices in the United States, Hyundai has introduced a free anti-theft software upgrade to prevent the vehicles from starting during a method of theft popularized on TikTok and other social media channels.

The service campaign covers about 4 million vehicles. It will kick off with coverage for 2017-2020 Elantra, 2015-2019 Sonata and 2020-2021 Venue vehicles. The remaining eligible affected vehicles will be included by June 2023. The no-charge security upgrade will be performed by Hyundai dealers and will take under an hour to install. Once complete, each vehicle will have a window decal affixed to inform criminals that the vehicle is equipped with enhanced anti-theft technology. As an added measure, Hyundai is also offering free steering wheel locks to law enforcement agencies for distribution to local residents who own or lease affected models.

“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,” said Randy Parker, CEO, of Hyundai Motor America. “We have prioritized the upgrade’s availability for owners and lessees of our highest-selling vehicles and those most targeted by thieves in order for dealers to service them first.”

Every Hyundai vehicle produced since November 2021 is equipped with an engine immobilizer as standard equipment. Here is the rollout plan Hyundai has shared:
Service Campaign Rollout Schedule

Phase 1 Starting Now

2017-2020 Elantra

2015-2019 Sonata

2020-2021 Venue

Phase 2 Starting June 2023

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

Security Update Details
The security update modifies affected vehicle control modules on Hyundai vehicles equipped with “turn-key-to-start” ignition systems. Once completed, locking the doors with the key fob will set the factory alarm and activate an “ignition kill” feature so the vehicles cannot be started using the popularized theft mode. The key fob will be required to deactivate the “ignition kill” feature.

Hyundai has begun to notify its customers about the anti-theft service campaign through multiple points of contact (e.g., mail, email, outbound phone contact and a dedicated website) with instructions to bring their vehicle to the nearest Hyundai dealership to have the free upgrade installed. More information is available at www.hyundaiantitheft.com, where customers can input their vehicle’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to find out when it is eligible for the software upgrade.

Hyundai image provided by Hyundai media is for representational purposes only.