To secure vehicles against a popular theft method targeting Hyundai vehicles without push-button ignitions and immobilizing anti-theft devices in the USA, the OEM is issuing a free security software upgrade to owners. The rollout has begun with more than one million Elantras, Sonatas and Venues being upgraded.
The software upgrade will be used to prevent the OEM’s vehicles from being started using a method of theft that has gone viral on TikTok and other social media platforms. Hyundai’s upgrade consists of modifying several vehicle control modules on models which feature standard turn-key-to-start ignition systems.
Following the upgrade, locking the doors using the key fob will set the factory alarm and activate an ignition kill feature so the vehicle can no longer be started using the popular theft method. Upon unlocking the vehicle, the ignition kill feature is switched off.
The technology has been launched (Feb 14) as a service campaign for almost four million vehicles, with the upgrade being rolled out first to more than 1 million model year 2017-2020 Elantra, 2015-2019 Sonata and 2020-2021 Venue vehicles.
“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, 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.”
