Is your Hyundai at risk for theft? A weekend event in North Texas has the solution

Harriet Ramos
·3 min read

Hyundai owners in North Texas whose vehicles are at risk of being stolen can get free anti-theft software installed this weekend at an event hosted by the automobile manufacturer and the Grand Prairie Police Department.

Technicians will be on-site to install the software at The Epic, located at 2960 Epic Place in Grand Prairie, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday. Hyundai owners who show up will also receive a complimentary steering wheel lock, according to a company news release.

“Customer’s only out of their vehicle for about 30 minutes, and we take really good care of them while we’re getting their car addressed and then we send them on their way,” said Hyundai Motor America spokesperson Dave VandeLinde.

As Vox reported in June 2023, the number of Hyundai and Kia thefts has increased exponentially over the last few years. A social media trend, known as the Kia Challenge, encourages young people to exploit a weakness in certain models of the two makes of vehicles and steal them for joyrides and social media likes.

Hyundai responded by updating their anti-theft software, which prevents vehicles from being turned on without the key. According to VandeLinde, the company identified 3.7 million Hyundai vehicles that needed software updates. About 1.35 million have been updated since the software launched in February 2023.

VandeLinde said he hopes a lot of Hyundai owners take advantage of the software installation event this weekend. There is no cost and no appointment necessary. The only thing technicians need to install the software is the vehicle’s identification number, also known as the serial number or VIN.

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About 40,000 vehicles within a 50-mile radius of the Dallas-Fort Worth area need the software update, VandeLinde said.

Here is a list of affected vehicles according to the company’s anti-theft website:

  • 2018-2022 Accent

  • 2011-2022 Elantra

  • 2013-2020 Elantra GT

  • 2013-2014 Genesis Coupe

  • 2018-2022 Kona

  • 2020-2021 Palisade

  • 2013-2022 Santa Fe

  • 2013-2018 Santa Fe Sport

  • 2019 Santa Fe XL

  • 2011-2019 Sonata

  • 2011-2022 Tucson

  • 2012-2017 & 2019-2021 Veloster

  • 2020-2021 Venue

“If anyone has (a Hyundai) or has a friend or family member or a coworker that has a 2011 through 2021 Hyundai vehicle that has a key that you insert and turn to start the vehicle, we really want to see them in the tent this weekend in Grand Prairie,” VandeLinde said.

Hyundai owners can also visit the anti-theft website to learn more about the software updates or make an appointment with a local dealer if they can’t attend the mobile clinic this weekend.

Hyundai, in partnership with local police departments, has conducted anti-theft software upgrade events across the United States for the past year. The Grand Prairie event is the 29th nationwide, according to VandeLinde, and the seventh in Texas.

In addition to installing the anti-theft software, Hyundai representatives also use the events to educate the public on vehicle safety practices — don’t park your vehicle in a dark area, don’t leave valuables inside and always lock up, VandeLinde said.

The company doesn’t have hard numbers on vehicle thefts — the insurance industry typically handles those claims — but VandeLinde said they are seeing a “steep drop off” in the demand for parts associated with break-ins, like ignition cylinders, steering column covers and glass.

“This would be a difficult situation for any company,” VandeLinde said. “No one wants to be feeling that their customers are at risk or not having a good experience with the brand. So really, for us, this is all about doing everything we can to make the customers feel good about the Hyundai products and the Hyundai company overall.”

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