VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB) — Auto theft was on the decline for two years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Kelly Blue Book. Now research shows it’s on the rise again.
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, nearly 250,000 vehicle thefts were reported from January to March 2022. They say auto theft has increased dramatically compared to 2021, when about 930,000 Americans reported stolen vehicles for that year.
“They found an easy way to steal the Kia and a few others that are very easy to enter and start. They develop some computer programs quite ingeniously. There are also ways they go to dealerships, test drive a car, and in the process find a way to program a key fob,” said Ashley Paulk, Lowndes County Sheriff.
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Research shows that some base-model 2010-2021 Hyundais and Kias lack electronic mobilizers, which are standard equipment that prevent the cars from being stolen.
A Kia spokesman confirmed to Kelly Blue that this claim only applies to base models. Most Hyundai and Kia models from this period include immobilizers, but not the cheapest versions.
A woman who recently had her Kia stolen but was found by police the next day says it was a nightmare. One minute her car was in her driveway, the next it wasn’t.
“It made me feel hurt. I feel like I get post traumatic stress from it just knowing there is nothing to prevent it from happening again. It’s an unsettling feeling,” said Stacey Lynette, a victim of auto theft.
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, vehicle theft totals are nearing record highs. According to the NICB, over 745,000 vehicles were reported stolen in the first three quarters of 2022.
“These cars are expensive. They are still high end cars. You know, when you say Kia, some people say, “Well, that’s a cheap car.” no Kia builds a pretty high quality car. Please lock your car and try to park it in a well-lit place. If you have a gated garage, drag it into your gated garage.”
Upon viewing a report of an incident (crime) received by the Albany Police Department, several Kias had been tampered with. One was confirmed to have been stolen.
“You should do a recall. I know that the repair will be expensive, but at the same time everything else. I ended up paying $2,500 out of my own pocket just to get my car fixed. They should immobilize the vehicles so this doesn’t happen to people all the time,” Lynette said.
Kia and Hyundai have addressed part of the problem by adding immobilizers to their 2022-2023 models. Some say that’s a good thing, but what about the models before it? The question has yet to be answered.
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