Hyundai security kit to prevent car thefts should be offered free of charge

A new aftermarket security kit being offered by Hyundai to prevent thefts of its easy-to-steal vehicles should be provided free of charge to Hyundai vehicle owners, according to Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs and Alderman Khalif J. Rainey, whose aldermanic districts have been heavily impacted by the rash of car thefts involving Hyundai and KIA vehicles.

On October 1, Hyundai announced that the new security kit would be available immediately for $170, and that Hyundai owners would be expected to cover the cost, as well as installation, which could cost up to $500. KIA – which does not offer a security kit – has been offering free steering wheel locks.

“We find it insulting and punitive to ask Hyundai owners to pay for a security kit that should not be needed in the first place,” Alderwoman Coggs and Alderman Rainey said. “Hyundai and KIA both should be providing kits and installing them free of charge, just as other normal vehicle ‘recalls’ are handled by other automakers. Additionally, this work should be expedited as quickly as possible to help remedy the threat of theft that already exists and which is being exacerbated by videos on social media,” they said.

Recent videos posted to social media have provided thieves with quick ‘how to’ lessons in stealing Hyundai and KIA vehicles, especially models that use a traditional key and do not have an engine immobilizer.

Last year, Alderwoman Coggs and Alderman Rainey sponsored Common Council legislation seeking direction from the Office of the City Attorney as to possible legal options the City may pursue related to ongoing significant theft issues with KIA and Hyundai vehicles. The legislation – Council file #210367 – asked the Office of the City Attorney to provide testimony to the Judiciary and Legislation Committee on what legal options exist to address the issues with KIA and Hyundai models, which have been favorite targets of car thieves because of specific security system shortcomings. The file remains open and will be heard again by the Judiciary and Legislation Committee at a future meeting.

Also in 2021 (in nearly identically-worded letters), Alderwoman Coggs and Alderman Rainey urged the heads of KIA and Hyundai to bolster their anti-theft systems so as to make their models harder to steal. The letters noted the jump in frequency with which the KIA and Hyundai models are stolen in the City of Milwaukee, according to the Milwaukee Police Department and backed up by posts on social media.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.