429:
in the United States against
Hyundai and Kia, the two brands agreed to pay about US$ 200 million, of which up to $ 145 million would offset out-of-pocket losses that car owners had incurred. The settlement was announced on May 18, 2023, and requires approval by a federal judge. However, it
421:
Starting
February 14, 2023, Hyundai introduced a free anti-theft software patch for some models of vehicle, and by June 23, all remaining eligible vehicles will have a patch that can be installed at a Hyundai dealership. Some models are unable to be upgraded, and instead customers will be reimbursed
346:
In Los
Angeles, the trend has been linked to an 85% increase in thefts of Kia and Hyundai vehicles in 2022 compared to 2021. In Chicago, thefts of the affected vehicle models increased by over nine times, and children as young as 11 years of age were reported to have participated in these thefts.
409:
TikTok has committed to removing pertinent videos uploaded by Kia
Challenge thieves from the platform. Kia and Hyundai have both expressed awareness of the increased thefts of their vehicles, with Kia also noting that new vehicles starting with their 2022
396:
with at least three guns in their possession. Lakewood police attempted to stop the vehicle after receiving reports that it was stolen, and would later cite the "Kia Boyz" online trend for the crime. One of the occupants, a 16-year-old boy,
337:
had her car severely damaged, with the words "Kia Boys Failed" and other vulgar language written on it. The vandals targeted her car due to its make, and it is suspected that they returned to steal the vehicle after the initial vandalism.
286:, when some began using hashtags identifying themselves as members of the "Kia Boys" or "Kia Boyz". Members of the Kia Boyz were depicted in a documentary uploaded to YouTube in May 2022; the video depicts a stolen red 2021
379:
a 55-year-old male motorcyclist in
Philadelphia while driving a stolen Kia car. The alleged driver of the Kia was a 17-year-old male and the other teens, all females, were between the ages of 14 and 17.
247:, an antenna coil in the key cylinder, and a SMARTRA unit. Kia vehicles manufactured from 2011 to 2021 and Hyundai vehicles manufactured from 2016 to 2021 that use a steel key, in comparison to a
22:
322:, two Kia cars were damaged by Kia Challenge participants in failed attempts to steal the vehicles. This is despite the vulnerability not existing in Australian cars manufactured since 2001.
301:
on a naked key slot and successfully starts a car. This vulnerability exists on a type of ignition switch used in many Kia/Hyundai cars sold until 2021, which are not equipped with an
770:
1481:
602:
58:
686:
980:
Lakewood police mentioned the "Kia Boyz" in police reports, court records show, referencing a national trend where teenagers steal cars, sometimes at gunpoint.
821:
630:
279:
to owners. A Traffic Safety Unit was formed in March. In June, a 16-year-old was killed and five other teenagers were injured following a police pursuit.
282:
The perpetrators of these car thefts remained isolated until a video circulated in August showing an unidentified driver nearly striking pedestrians at
57:
vehicles in the United States manufactured between 2011 and 2021. The trend, which began in
October 2022, has led to eight fatalities, according to the
1001:
574:
294:. Police identified the driver as 17-year-old Markell Hughes and arrested him in June. In 2023, he was again accused of driving another stolen car.
848:
496:
795:
658:
283:
631:"16-year-old dies, five other teens injured after a stolen vehicle crashes into another car, police say — latest in reckless driving crisis"
1116:
1049:
401:
in a
Lakewood swamp while fleeing the police. A 14-year-old and 17-year-old were charged; two others including an adult remain at large.
271:
began experiencing an increase in reckless driving and car thefts, particularly cars manufactured by Kia and
Hyundai. In response, the
1486:
330:
Immobilizers are required by law in all new vehicles sold in Canada since 2007, so only cars imported from the US are susceptible.
899:
1511:
1211:
873:
744:
235:—electronic security devices that prevent the engine from being started unless a proper key is inserted—a system present in most
470:
1506:
1496:
1244:
925:
1372:
1491:
334:
1433:
994:"Hyundai Introduces Free Anti-Theft Software Upgrade, Beginning With More Than 1 Million Elantras, Sonatas and Venues"
272:
1024:
546:
1276:
663:
635:
607:
579:
1402:
1271:
364:
1417:
1109:
717:
603:"'We've had enough of it': City leaders' special Traffic Safety Unit to battle reckless driving in Milwaukee"
1340:
993:
1355:
1350:
1175:
1154:
1139:
958:
659:"Criminal charges filed against a participant of the 'Kia Boys' video. He could face 22 years in prison"
291:
1443:
1345:
1297:
1249:
1149:
1144:
426:
389:
21:
1501:
1448:
1292:
1206:
1102:
1075:
276:
236:
97:
54:
46:
1397:
1313:
1254:
1234:
1125:
968:
376:
446:, a 2021 internet challenge which encouraged participants to engage in theft of school property.
575:"Milwaukee has stepped up its response to reckless driving. With summer upon us, is it enough?"
1050:"Judge declines to approve Hyundai/Kia class action settlement, noting weak proposed remedies"
360:
252:
172:
1455:
1325:
963:
900:"4 teens dead in crash possibly linked to TikTok car theft challenge, police say – National"
140:
126:
1476:
1407:
1378:
1229:
1185:
551:
287:
112:
26:
959:"Records reveal more details about night boy died in Lakewood swamp while fleeing police"
1412:
1330:
1221:
718:"TikTok trend blamed for spike in car thefts. These brands are being targeted the most"
431:
363:. Four of the teenagers were killed when they subsequently crashed the stolen car. The
133:
102:
1470:
1261:
926:"Teen facing murder charge in stolen car crash that killed Philadelphia motorcyclist"
822:"Kia and Hyundai vehicles in Canada not affected by U.S. theft issue, automakers say"
298:
1438:
1318:
1239:
1180:
687:"Driver in Kia Boys YouTube video again accused of driving stolen car in Milwaukee"
471:"Hyundai and Kia agree to $ 200 million settlement over TikTok car theft challenge"
443:
393:
356:
244:
243:
models manufactured in 2010, the immobilizer system comprised a transponder in the
240:
219:
119:
497:"These Hyundai and Kia Models Are Blacklisted By State Farm Insurance Over Thefts"
1266:
1094:
415:
302:
232:
199:
75:
1335:
411:
192:
165:
30:
849:"Online trend believed to have sparked vehicle vandalism in Summerland, B.C."
268:
264:
155:
1159:
319:
209:
398:
297:
A video was posted on TikTok on July 12, 2022, where the author uses a
248:
182:
520:
1025:"Kia and Hyundai to Pay $ 200 Million to Settle Suit Over Car Thefts"
42:
532:
375:
On May 28, 2024, five teenagers were taken into custody after they
745:"How Thieves Are Stealing Hyundais and Kias With Just a USB Cable"
547:"Thieves across America are stealing Hyundais and Kias in seconds"
20:
796:"Hyundai, Kia update security after TikTok challenge car thefts"
1098:
1087:
228:
150:
50:
874:"TikTok challenge spurs rise in thefts of Kia, Hyundai cars"
355:
On
October 23, 2022, six teenagers aged 14 to 19 stole a
1426:
1390:
1364:
1306:
1285:
1220:
1199:
1168:
1132:
711:
709:
707:
952:
950:
948:
946:
924:McCormick, Annie; Pinder, Leland (May 29, 2024).
872:DiLella, Chris; Day, Andrea (September 8, 2022).
771:"Alarming new TikTok challenge targets Kia cars"
59:National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
1110:
305:system. The video was taken down on July 25.
8:
1117:
1103:
1095:
367:linked the incident to the Kia Challenge.
79:
1482:October 2022 crimes in the United States
333:On November 11, 2023, a senior woman in
521:Hyundai Sonata 2015 Owner's Manual 2015
461:
388:On December 2, 2023, five teenagers in
16:2022 thefts of Kia and Hyundai vehicles
1004:from the original on February 17, 2023
847:Femia, Victoria (November 12, 2023).
685:Hughes, Elliot (September 20, 2023).
533:Kia Sportage 2010 Owner's Manual 2010
7:
898:Do Couto, Sarah (October 26, 2022).
957:Bsanti, Puneet (December 8, 2023).
573:Robles, Christian (June 10, 2021).
545:Frank, Annalise (August 27, 2022).
495:Demattia, Nico (February 5, 2023).
469:Hawkins, Andrew J. (May 18, 2023).
70:Absence of immobilizers (2011–2021)
1072:Hyundai Sonata 2015 Owner's Manual
992:Gabriel, Ira (February 14, 2023).
14:
716:List, Madeleine (July 25, 2022).
405:Responses from involved companies
1084:Kia Sportage 2010 Owner's Manual
1023:Medina, Eduardo (May 18, 2023).
769:Nagel, Jessica (July 30, 2022).
657:Bentley, Drake (June 28, 2022).
629:Hughes, Elliot (June 16, 2021).
601:Lynch, La Risa (March 3, 2021).
231:vehicles were manufactured with
33:as a result of the Kia Challenge
259:Kia Boys and thefts (2021–2023)
743:Stumpf, Rob (August 2, 2022).
430:was rejected by federal judge
255:mechanism, lack immobilizers.
1:
1373:Everywhere at the End of Time
1126:Internet challenges and dares
335:Summerland, British Columbia
1434:List of Internet challenges
273:Milwaukee Police Department
45:trend to which a series of
1528:
664:Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
636:Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
608:Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
580:Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
422:for steering wheel locks.
73:
49:is attributed, targeting
392:were driving in a stolen
365:Buffalo Police Department
284:John Marshall High School
213:
186:
159:
149:
106:
96:
1487:2022 crimes in Australia
239:vehicles until 2016. In
1512:Corporate controversies
34:
1507:Hyundai Motor Company
1497:2020s fads and trends
74:Further information:
24:
1444:Blue Whale Challenge
1277:Exploding watermelon
1245:Golden retriever egg
427:class-action lawsuit
390:Lakewood, Washington
277:steering-wheel locks
275:began offering free
47:motor vehicle thefts
1492:Motor vehicle theft
1449:Momo Challenge hoax
802:. February 16, 2023
82:
1056:. August 17, 2023.
1029:The New York Times
969:Tacoma, Washington
828:. January 30, 2023
263:In February 2021,
81:Affected vehicles
80:
35:
1464:
1463:
930:6abc Philadelphia
377:struck and killed
361:Buffalo, New York
253:push-button start
227:Until 2011, most
225:
224:
1519:
1456:Folklore studies
1119:
1112:
1105:
1096:
1091:
1079:
1058:
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964:The News Tribune
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691:Journal Sentinel
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83:
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1522:
1521:
1520:
1518:
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1516:
1467:
1466:
1465:
1460:
1422:
1408:No Nut November
1403:Charlie Charlie
1386:
1360:
1302:
1281:
1272:Saltine cracker
1230:Bottle flipping
1216:
1195:
1186:Gallon smashing
1164:
1128:
1123:
1082:
1070:
1067:
1062:
1061:
1048:
1047:
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1033:
1031:
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1021:
1017:
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1005:
998:hyundainews.com
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468:
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463:
458:
453:
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386:
373:
353:
344:
328:
316:
311:
288:Hyundai Elantra
261:
78:
72:
67:
27:steering column
17:
12:
11:
5:
1525:
1523:
1515:
1514:
1509:
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1376:
1368:
1366:
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1361:
1359:
1358:
1353:
1348:
1343:
1341:Merry-go-round
1338:
1333:
1328:
1323:
1322:
1321:
1310:
1308:
1304:
1303:
1301:
1300:
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1269:
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1226:
1224:
1222:Food and drink
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864:
839:
813:
787:
761:
735:
703:
677:
649:
621:
593:
565:
537:
525:
523:, p. 107.
513:
487:
460:
459:
457:
454:
452:
449:
448:
447:
439:
436:
432:James V. Selna
414:now come with
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71:
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15:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
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1275:
1273:
1270:
1268:
1265:
1263:
1262:Milk chugging
1260:
1256:
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1213:
1210:
1208:
1205:
1204:
1202:
1198:
1192:
1189:
1187:
1184:
1182:
1181:Devious licks
1179:
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953:
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927:
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917:
905:
901:
894:
891:
879:
875:
868:
865:
853:
850:
843:
840:
832:September 13,
827:
823:
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797:
791:
788:
776:
772:
765:
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750:
746:
739:
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688:
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678:
666:
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632:
625:
622:
610:
609:
604:
597:
594:
582:
581:
576:
569:
566:
554:
553:
548:
541:
538:
535:, p. 15.
534:
529:
526:
522:
517:
514:
502:
498:
491:
488:
476:
472:
465:
462:
455:
450:
445:
442:
441:
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433:
428:
423:
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404:
402:
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395:
391:
383:
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378:
370:
368:
366:
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358:
350:
348:
342:United States
341:
339:
336:
331:
325:
323:
321:
313:
308:
306:
304:
300:
299:USB connector
295:
293:
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285:
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278:
274:
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258:
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250:
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242:
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176:
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173:Optima Hybrid
171:
170:
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148:
144:
142:
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95:
91:
88:
85:
84:
77:
69:
64:
62:
60:
56:
52:
48:
44:
40:
39:Kia Challenge
32:
28:
23:
19:
1439:Urban legend
1379:
1371:
1356:Skullbreaker
1351:Salt and ice
1319:Choking game
1240:Chubby bunny
1190:
1176:24 Hour Fort
1083:
1071:
1053:
1044:
1032:. Retrieved
1028:
1018:
1008:February 17,
1006:. Retrieved
997:
987:
979:
974:December 15,
972:. Retrieved
962:
933:. Retrieved
929:
919:
907:. Retrieved
903:
893:
881:. Retrieved
877:
867:
855:. Retrieved
851:
842:
830:. Retrieved
825:
816:
804:. Retrieved
799:
790:
778:. Retrieved
774:
764:
752:. Retrieved
749:Thedrive.com
748:
738:
726:. Retrieved
722:Miami Herald
721:
694:. Retrieved
690:
680:
668:. Retrieved
662:
652:
640:. Retrieved
634:
624:
612:. Retrieved
606:
596:
584:. Retrieved
578:
568:
556:. Retrieved
550:
540:
528:
516:
504:. Retrieved
500:
490:
478:. Retrieved
474:
464:
444:Devious lick
425:To settle a
424:
420:
416:immobilizers
408:
394:Kia Sportage
387:
374:
371:Pennsylvania
357:Kia Sportage
354:
345:
332:
329:
317:
296:
281:
262:
245:ignition key
241:Kia Sportage
233:immobilizers
226:
92:Model years
38:
36:
18:
1267:Neknominate
1212:Running Man
1155:Rice bucket
1140:Book bucket
1065:Works cited
909:October 28,
904:Global News
883:October 28,
852:Global News
780:October 28,
754:December 3,
728:October 30,
418:installed.
303:immobilizer
76:Immobilizer
41:is a viral
1502:Kia Motors
1471:Categories
1346:Milk crate
1336:Knife game
1298:Safe Hands
1250:Hot pepper
1150:Ice bucket
1145:Food stamp
806:August 31,
451:References
412:model year
384:Washington
214:2015–2021
204:2015–2016
187:2015–2021
177:2015–2016
160:2015–2021
145:2015–2018
107:2015–2021
65:Background
31:Kia Optima
25:A damaged
1418:Tide Pods
1382:blindfold
1293:22 Pushup
1207:Mannequin
501:The Drive
475:The Verge
456:Citations
314:Australia
309:Incidents
269:Wisconsin
265:Milwaukee
1427:See also
1413:Planking
1398:Benadryl
1380:Bird Box
1314:Blackout
1255:One Chip
1235:Cinnamon
1160:TrashTag
1002:Archived
800:ABC News
480:July 15,
438:See also
351:New York
320:Brisbane
220:Sportage
141:Veloster
127:Santa Fe
1133:Charity
1090:. 2010.
1078:. 2015.
1076:Hyundai
1054:AP News
1034:May 18,
935:May 29,
857:June 9,
826:CTVNews
724:. Miami
696:June 9,
670:May 18,
642:May 18,
614:May 18,
586:May 18,
558:May 18,
506:May 18,
399:drowned
249:key fob
237:Hyundai
200:Sorento
113:Elantra
98:Hyundai
55:Hyundai
1477:TikTok
1326:Condom
1307:Stunts
1286:Health
326:Canada
251:and a
193:Sedona
166:Optima
134:Tucson
103:Accent
89:Model
86:Brand
43:TikTok
1391:Other
1365:Media
1200:Dance
1169:Crime
552:Axios
292:Hertz
290:from
156:Forte
29:of a
1331:Fire
1036:2023
1010:2023
976:2023
937:2024
911:2022
885:2022
878:CNBC
859:2024
834:2024
808:2023
782:2022
775:9Now
756:2022
730:2022
698:2024
672:2023
644:2023
616:2023
588:2023
560:2023
508:2023
482:2023
210:Soul
120:Kona
53:and
37:The
1191:Kia
1088:Kia
359:in
318:In
229:Kia
183:Rio
151:Kia
51:Kia
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