Despite Kia and Hyundai announcing a decrease in vehicle thefts in the United States, vehicle thefts are ongoing, causing owners significant distress. A theft method popularized by TikTok a few years ago, which primarily targeted Kia models, has been mitigated with improvements. However, thieves still focus on Kia vehicles, causing continuing damage and concern.
In Eaton County, Michigan, thefts targeting Kia and Hyundai cars have risen again. Local authorities have expressed their worries, noting, “Thieves are attempting to target vehicles that have already been patched, adding to the anxiety of vehicle owners.”
Theft Epidemic: Rising Attacks on Kia and Hyundai Vehicles
The infamous “Kia Boys,” a group of thieves primarily targeting Kia cars, continue their reckless attacks. Although the easy theft methods once viral on TikTok are no longer effective, thieves are still finding ways to target these vehicles, resorting to tactics like breaking windows and damaging vehicle components.
Police in Eaton County report that thefts of Kia and Hyundai vehicles are again increasing, causing significant damage to vehicle owners. In many cases, thieves have tried to steal cars with push-to-start functions instead of traditional keys, only to fail. This highlights the growing problem of indiscriminate theft attempts, with thieves increasingly targeting cars without concern for the damage they cause.
Local media reports have noted that Kia owners now fear leaving their vehicles on the road, as attempts to steal the cars have resulted in extensive damage. Broken windows, damaged wiring, and costly repairs have become common, leaving vehicle owners with significant financial losses.
Kia’s Brand Reputation Under Threat
These ongoing incidents have severely impacted Kia’s brand reputation. While the TikTok-inspired theft methods have been addressed, the continuing theft attempts have fueled perceptions that Kia remains vulnerable to car theft. This threatens the trust consumers place in the brand, especially regarding its stability and reliability—which are key to consumers selecting a vehicle.
Kia has already implemented an anti-theft update to counter these issues, but even with this patch, thieves can still cause significant damage once they gain access to the vehicle. As a result, there are growing calls for Kia to adopt more comprehensive and robust countermeasures to enhance vehicle security and prevent further damage from theft attempts.
The company needs more active and thorough after-sales support and consumer protection measures to rebuild its brand image. Experts suggest that Kia must go beyond simple patches and invest in more effective, fundamental improvements to its vehicle security system to solidify its position in the U.S. market in the long term. This will be essential for restoring consumer trust and stabilizing its brand reputation.
