Hyundai and Kia forced to update software on millions of vehicles because of viral TikTok challenge - Over 8 million vehicles are eligible for the free anti-theft software upgrade after the so-called ‘Kia Challenge’ on social media resulted in thousands of car thefts.

TL;DR

Hyundai and Kia are offering free software updates for millions of their cars in response to a rash of car thefts inspired by a viral social media challenge on TikTok. As a result, locking the doors with the key fob will set the factory alarm and activate an “ignition kill” feature so the vehicles cannot be started when subjected to the popularized theft mode. Additional models, including Kona, Palisade, and Santa Fe vehicles, will be serviced starting June 2023

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