Westfield Police Offer Free Steering Wheel Locks To Stop Kia/Hyundai Thefts

WESTFIELD, NJ — Westfield Police have partnered with Hyundai to offer free steering wheel locks to Westfield residents who own and/or operate certain model Hyundai and Kia vehicles susceptible to theft, announced Chief Christopher Battiloro.

According to a statement issued by Hyundai, all of its vehicles produced since November 2021 are
equipped with an engine immobilizer as standard equipment. However, certain Hyundai vehicles
produced prior to that time without push-start ignitions and immobilizing anti-theft devices have been the target of increased criminal activity nationwide.

Affected Hyundai and Kia vehicles include the following:

Hyundai:

• 2011-2022 Accent
• 2011-2022 Elantra
• 2013-2017 Elantra GT
• 2013-2014 Elantra Coupe
• 2011-2012 Elantra Touring
• 2011-2014 Genesis Coupe
• 2018-2022 Kona
• 2020-2021 Palisade
• 2011-2012, 2019-2022 Santa Fe
• 2013-2018, 2019 Santa Fe; Santa Fe XL
• 2013-2018 Santa Fe Sport
• 2011-2019 Sonata
• 2011-2022 Tucson
• 2012-2017, 2019-2021 Veloster
• 2020-2021 Venue
• 2011-2012 Veracruz

Kia:

• 2011-2021 Forte
• 2021-2022 K5
• 2011-2020 Optima
• 2011-2021 Rio
• 2011-2021 Sedona
• 2021-2022 Seltos
• 2010-2022 Soul
• 2011-2022 Sportage

If a resident owns and/or operates one of these affected Hyundai or Kia vehicles, the Westfield Police Department will provide them with a free steering wheel lock to help guard against vehicle theft.

These steering wheel locks are available at the Westfield Police Department 24 hours a day. During business hours, they can be obtained at the Records & Information Technology Bureau.

During non-business hours, they can be obtained at the Police Desk. One needs only to present proof of Westfield residency and the affected vehicle’s registration to obtain one.

One wheel lock will be provided for each affected Hyundai or Kia vehicle.

Hyundai advises that all of its nearly 4 million affected vehicles are now eligible for a free anti-theft software upgrade, which is designed to prevent them from starting during a method of theft popularized on TikTok and other social media channels.

The software upgrade modifies certain vehicle control modules on 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, this so the vehicles cannot be started when subjected to the popularized theft mode.

Customers must then use the key fob to unlock their vehicles to deactivate the "ignition kill" feature.

The free software upgrade can be performed by Hyundai dealers and takes less than one hour for
installation. Additionally, 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.

To generate awareness of the software upgrade and drive completion rates among customers, Hyundai has been actively promoting www.HyundaiAntiTeheft.com. This site provides affected Hyundai customers with information on available solutions and directs them to schedule an appointment at a local Hyundai dealer, if their vehicle lacks an engine immobilizer and is eligible for the software upgrade.

"Vehicle thefts and attempted vehicle thefts remain one of Westfield’s most pressing criminal
problems," said Battiloro. "Partnering with Hyundai to issue free steering wheel locks is just
another proactive step the Westfield Police Department is taking to help combat this persistent criminal problem."