Hyundai Motor Co. will distribute free steering-wheel locks within the US and improve anti-theft software program on 4 million autos after a spate of TikTok-inspired automotive thefts.

The viral movies goal Hyundais and Kias that lack an electronic-security characteristic — known as an engine immobilizer — that retains the automotive from being began with no key. Thus far this 12 months, New York police have arrested 109 suspects for thefts of sure fashions of Kia and Hyundai automobiles.

*The South Korean carmaker stated engine immobilizers have been customary on all Hyundai and Kia automobiles since November 2021. A free software program improve to stop the tactic of theft concerned within the viral movies has been rolled out to 1 million clients, and an additional 3 million drivers can be eligible for the improve in coming weeks, Hyundai stated in an announcement Friday.   

It is going to additionally reimburse clients who’ve purchased steering wheel locks and continues to offer steering locks to legislation enforcement businesses to distribute to native residents who personal or lease affected fashions, it added. Greater than 23,000 locks have been distributed, Kia stated in a separate assertion. 

“Hyundai Motor America is dedicated to making sure the standard and integrity of our merchandise,” the automaker stated.

The issue has sparked lawsuits from Columbus, Ohio, and Seattle and at the least 15 client lawsuits that sought class-action standing.

A minimum of 20 state attorneys within the U.S. have despatched letters to Hyundai and Kia to induce the automakers to boost anti-theft measures, with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Division reporting that 80 % of all autos stolen in its district final 12 months have been Kia or Hyundai fashions.

“We thank the Attorneys Normal for the chance to allow them to know what we’ve carried out and can proceed to do to fight this rise in automotive theft and the position social media has performed in encouraging it,” Kia stated in its assertion.