LOS ANGELES: Hyundai Motor America and independently operated American Automobile Association (AAA) insurers announced last week a program to offer insurance options in most states for owners of certain Hyundai vehicles without push-button ignitions and immobilising anti-theft devices.
Under the program, AAA insurers will issue new and renewal policies for eligible affected Hyundai customers.
Hyundai has also expedited the roll out of the free anti-theft software upgrade for affected vehicles.
All of the nearly 4 million vehicles involved will be eligible for the upgrade this week, two months ahead of the original schedule.
The software upgrade is designed to prevent the vehicles from starting during a method of theft popularised on TikTok and other social media channels.
“Our goal is to get every one of these vehicles into a dealership for the free software upgrade,” said Hyundai Motor America CEO Randy Parker.
The software upgrade modifies certain vehicle control modules on Hyundai vehicles equipped with standard “turn-key-to-start” ignition systems.
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. Customers must use the key fob to unlock their vehicles in order to deactivate the “ignition kill” feature.
The free upgrade will be performed by Hyundai dealers and will take less than one hour for installation. Following completion of the upgrade, each vehicle will be affixed with window decals to alert would-be thieves that the vehicle is equipped with enhanced anti-theft technology.
Additionally, for a smaller group of 2011-2022 model year vehicles that cannot accommodate the software upgrade, Hyundai will reimburse those owners for their purchase of steering wheel locks.
Hyundai is also preparing to provide this subset of customers with the option of obtaining reimbursement to offset their purchase of a different anti-theft device, such as an alarm kit.
All Hyundai vehicles produced since November 2021 are equipped with an engine immobiliser as standard equipment.
In addition, Hyundai said it continues to work with more than 450 law enforcement agencies across the country to provide no-cost steering wheel locks to affected communities.
The program will be available in all states with the exception of those states where AAA does not offer insurance namely Alaska, Massachusetts and Washington state.
