"Kia Boyz" thefts dissipate, but court cases linger
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Three years after the "Kia Boyz" made stealing cars a viral phenomenon, thefts have dropped — but the long-term impact is still unclear.
Why it matters: In Columbus and across the country, the trend led to skyrocketing car theft and break-in numbers and legal action against the automaker.
Flashback: "Kia Boyz" reports exploded in summer 2022, when TikTok videos pointed out that many Kia and Hyundai models — both owned by Hyundai Motor Group — could be broken into and stolen in seconds.
- The trend spread across the country.
How it works: The vehicles lacked immobilizers, technology that prevents an engine from starting without a key fob present, so thieves just needed to break a window, remove part of the steering column cover and use a screwdriver or other basic object to start the car.
- In 2023, Hyundai began offering a free software update or $170 immobilizer kit meant to solve the issue.
Threat level: The ease of entry resulted in teenagers joyriding stolen vehicles around Columbus streets, frequently crashing them and often causing deaths and other serious harm.
- By February 2023, Kia and Hyundais were two-thirds of all vehicle theft attempts in Columbus.
By the numbers: At the trend's peak in 2023, 5,316 Kia and Hyundais were reported stolen in Columbus alone, according to police data.
- That's half of the year's 10,660 total vehicle thefts.
- Last year, just 5,823 thefts were reported, 39% of which were Kia and Hyundai.
Friction point: Columbus filed a lawsuit against Hyundai in early 2023, and its case has been combined with other plaintiffs, including Cleveland, Indianapolis, Seattle and a wide variety of insurance companies.
- A judge recently ruled that the case can move forward.
Frustrated car owners, meanwhile, asked for stiffer punishments for those stealing vehicles, even for juveniles.
- The Franklin County Juvenile Court adjusted its points system in 2023 to allow for holding more juveniles in custody.
- But many criminal cases are still working through the legal system.
What they're saying: Franklin County Domestic Relations and Juvenile Court Judge Kim Browne tells Axios most judges "cannot say anything about a case or controversy that is currently or potentially on our docket."
- She says there are "a lot of cases still pending."
What we're watching: Individual families affected by crashes stemming from the thefts have also begun suing the automaker.