‘Kia Challenge’ is still impacting Macon-Bibb. Thefts of Kia, Hyundai cars increasing

A nationwide TikTok trend that triggered a spike in stolen Hyundai and Kia vehicles two years ago remains a problem for Bibb County law enforcement.

According to data from the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, 60 Hyundai and Kia cars were reported stolen in January and February alone, indicating a run of rising thefts in recent years is likely to continue. That’s already more than one-third of the number of Hyundai and Kia cars reported stolen in 2023.

In 2021, a group called the “Kia Boyz” shared videos on social media demonstrating and encouraging users to hotwire 2011-2022 Kia and Hyundai car models without an immobilizer using USB cards. The trend became popular in the summer of 2022, dubbing the name the “Kia Challenge.”

BSO Gang Unit Investigator Sgt. Tatreaus Gray said the likelihood of each reported stolen vehicle alert received by the sheriff’s office being one of those car models is high, particularly in the west and south sides of town.

“We let the people in the community know there is a high volume of crime right now with these types of car models in their neighborhood,” he said. “We tell them to be careful and mindful because [the suspects] will steal a car, and then drive that car to another car to steal it,” Gray said.

Sheriff David Davis said deputies are seeing a high number of youths committing auto theft and gun possession offenses.

At least 300 car break-ins and car thefts occurred in Bibb County between January and February 2024, according to the sheriff’s office daily crime reports.

In 2023, more than 150 Hyundai and Kia vehicles were reported stolen, and more than 100 of them were recovered, according to sheriff’s office data.

The data also shows 89 Hyundai vehicles were reported stolen in Bibb County in 2023, a 218% increase from 28 in 2022. The number of stolen Kia vehicles climbed by 113% — from 31 to 66 — in the same period.

Gray said most of the stolen cars end up in Bloomfield and South Macon, as suspects typically leave them behind or destroy them.

Some Kia, Hyundai cars not covered by insurance

Large insurance firms like State Farm and Progressive have responded to the dramatic spike by dropping current Hyundai and Kia owners and declining new customer applications in some states for certain model years and trim levels, said State Farm spokesperson Sevag Sarkissian.

“This is a serious problem impacting our customers and the entire auto insurance industry,” he said in an email. “We take seriously our responsibility to manage risk and the impact of excess claim costs on all our customers. In this case, it became necessary for the insurance company to take action to protect its business and policyholders.”

State Farm said there is no set time for when it will resume coverage for Hyundai and Kia owners, but it is closely monitoring the situation and will make appropriate adjustments going forward.

How to prevent theft?

The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office works to detect and recover stolen vehicles through FLOCK cameras, which scan passing cars’ license plates and record the brand, model, and color of the vehicle, said Gray.

But Hyundai and Kia owners can help with some preventative steps, he said.

“Park in well-lit areas or in areas that have cameras,” Gray said. “Keep your valuables out of the cars.”

Bryce Rawson, an assistant to Georgia’s commissioner of insurance and safety fire, advises car owners to consider anti-theft measures, such as software upgrades, vehicle immobilizers systems and steering wheel locks.

“It’s also worth shopping around with local insurance agencies, if a larger one won’t cover your vehicle,” Rawson added.

Tevin Smith, a Macon State Farm agent, said that the most important and wise thing a car buyer can do is conduct research before making a decision.

“Go and look at the consumer report on those vehicles and also call your insurance agent and verify coverage on different models before you even visit a car lot and make a purchase,” Smith said.

The Kia and Hyundai models most prone to theft were made between 2015 and 2019, according to a report from CNN. More recent models from both brands have better anti-theft protections in place.