These 2 Car Brands Seeing Spike In Thefts In PA, And Cops Say TikTok Is To Blame

PHILADELPHIA, PA — The social media application TikTok has come under fire for countless issues, ranging from its lack of security and impact on the mental health of teens, to national security implications and connection to the Chinese government. Now, officials say it's to blame for a massive nationwide crime wave that is significantly impacting the greater Philadelphia area.

Specifically, TikTok videos instructing criminals on exactly how to steal two types of cars, Kias and Hyundais, have led to a massive increase in thefts. Thefts have been on the rise for months and police have been warning residents since last summer, but now they're taking action.

In Norristown, the police department is issuing free car locks to vehicle owners. One free lock for each Kia made between 2011 and 2022 and each Hyundai made between 2015 and 2022 will be distributed.

"Police put out notices in December about this growing trend, and the number of reported thefts has decreased," the department said last week. "The locks are a proactive way to continue to prevent further thefts."

In the city of Philadelphia, 389 Kias and Hyundais were stolen in 2019. In 2022, a total of 2,600 were, according to an Inquirer review of Philadelphia Police Department data.

Over the past several months, thieves have posted videos demonstrating that by inserting a USB cable into a broken steering column, they can hot-wire an engine. In the past, thieves have used a screwdriver to hot-wire an engine.

Officials say the videos are exploiting a manufacturing defect that allows them to easily be hot-wired with a USB phone charger cord, The Washington Post reported.

Facing class-action lawsuits, Hyundai and Kia have announced plans to address the security defect. A lawsuit filed in California against Hyundai and Kia stated that the vehicles “are so easy to steal, teenagers and children as young as 11 years old are stealing and joyriding cars, and posting their exploits on social media, including one TikTok video that has over 33 million views,” the Post reported.

Police in some jurisdictions are encouraging Hyundai and Kia owners to purchase a brake pedal club, alarm, or other theft-prevention device to protect their vehicles from the TikTok trend.

Police are encouraging resident to keep information, such as the make, model, model year, license plate, and Vehicle Identification Number, easily accessible in case their vehicle is stolen. Car owners also should consider investing in a steering wheel lock, police said.

Owners of a Hyundai or Kia manufactured between 2010 and 2021 should contact a dealership to see what advanced auto prevention tools are available due to the rise in thefts, according to police.

Meanwhile, TikTok has been banned by government agencies across the nation, including in Pennsylvania, due to the app's connection to the Chinese government and security concerns.

The Pennsylvania Treasury department banned the app from devices in December.While the step is confined to just the small number of individuals who have Treasury-issued phones and tablets, it's reflective of broader and growing concern over the app's safety and ethics. Pennsylvania is one of 14 such states to have a department pass some form of a ban in recent months.

With reporting from Patch correspondent Mark Hand