American kids have learned to steal Kia and Hyundai with a USB cable. It’s a new challenge on TikTok

In the US, the Kia Challenge is starting to gain popularity. Its participants steal Kia and Hyundai cars, and then smash them or destroy them in an unusual way.

The challenge appeared after it became known that Kia and Hyundai can be stolen using a USB cable to charge smartphones. Attackers remove the casing under the steering wheel and insert a USB instead of a key. Then you just need to start the car.

This method works with Kia vehicles from 2011 to 2021 and Hyundai from 2015 to 2021. In particular, this way you can steal Kia Soul, Optima and Sportage.

After this method became known in the United States, the number of Kia and Hyundai thefts increased dramatically. In Milwaukee, 66% of all auto thefts are from Korean manufacturers. The number of thefts increased by 2500%.

A similar trend noted St. Pete Police Department.

Starting July 11 [по 27 июля]23 of the 56 stolen vehicles were 2021 and older Kia/Hyundai that use keys to start the engine.

St. Pete Police Department

Cars are mostly stolen by teenagers. They post videos of thefts on TikTok and YouTube, signing videos of Kia Challenge or Kia Boys.

They are not limited to one hijacking. Teenagers seriously violate the rules of the road, moving along sidewalks, lawns and passing through busy intersections at a red traffic light. Sometimes they knock down passers-by, deaths have already been recorded.

After the trip, the car, as a rule, is “beautifully” destroyed. For example, it can be broken or burned.

Kia and Hyundai are aware of the problem, but they can’t do anything. The issue has been fixed in 2022 vehicles. Owners of older cars are encouraged to install an alarm or other anti-theft means. [USA Today]