The latest development in the Hyundai-Kia car theft fiasco finds the automakers handing out fairly simple anti-theft devices.
According to Bloomberg, Hyundai and Kia are giving steering wheel locks to customers with models affected by the social media-fueled stealing spree.
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Many Hyundai and Kia customers have seen their vehicles stolen or been denied auto insurance.
Hyundai said it’s already doled out 23,000 locks and the company has offered to reimburse any customers who have already purchased one.
The free steering wheel locks arrive as the automakers work on providing anti-theft software updates to more than 8 million vehicles in the U.S.
For nearly two years, Hyundai and Kia vehicles have been disproportionately targeted by car thieves exploiting the lack of immobilizers in earlier models.
As Jalopnik points out, anti-theft immobilizers have been standard in Hyundai and Kia models since late 2021.
