KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Knoxville Police Department said it is seeing more Kia and Hyundai cars being stolen across the city.
As of April 22, KPD said there were 150 cars stolen or attempted to be stolen so far this year across Knoxville. It said 44 were Kias and 13 were Hyundais.
"It is an uptick in interest of these vehicles, but it wasn't unexpected with the social media trends and things coming down the pike," said Brian Foulks, a detective and an auto theft expert who works for the KPD.
Ever since a social media trend started in 2021 showing how to break into and start certain Kia and Hyundai models, there has been an increase in thefts of these cars. But, Foulks said these vehicles were already being targeted before the trend.
"It went up in volume," said Foulks. "They were easy to steal before. It just became more popular."
The models of Kias and Hyundais most at risk of being stolen are those with key ignitions. Many models with that feature don't have immobilizers, which activate automatically when a vehicle is switched off. It also prevents moving or starting up a car without a key. Those with push-button ignitions also have built-in theft-prevention measures.
Foulks also said there are things most drivers can do to lower the risk of their car being stolen, especially if they drive a Kia or Hyundai. They can park under cameras and in well-lit areas, where plenty of traffic is visible. People can also use anti-theft devices, such as an engine immobilizer. Car owners can also put in a GPS tracking device.
Drivers should make sure not to leave their keys in the car and to lock the doors when they leave. People also should not leave valuables inside their cars.
Foulks said most cars are stolen by teens. He said it's not just one person, or one group targeting cars — it's multiple individuals. Foulks said if thieves are caught, the consequences are serious.
"They tend to target places like apartment complexes or denser neighborhoods, where there are multiple vehicles. So, they get more bang for their buck when they go in," said Foulks. "They may not always be successful on one vehicle, so they like having two or three there. So, we'll have like an attempted theft and then a theft at an apartment complex, for example."
He said it can be a Class-D felony to steal a car.
"And you know that can get you anywhere from a year to two and a half years, three years in jail. That's not worth it for a joyride or a TikTok challenge," he said.
He also said KPD does not offer steering wheel locks, which prevents a vehicle from starting without the correct key. But, both Kia and Hyundai offer free software upgrades and free steering wheel locks.
The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance released a statement on the stolen vehicles, that statement can be found below.
"To date, the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance has not had any consumer complaints related to coverage denial based on whether a consumer was driving a KIA or Hyundai. Overall, Tennessee has a robust, healthy auto market with a variety of coverage options. Insofar as rate increases go, by statute insurance companies can raise their rates as long as they are actuarially justified. Nationwide, higher prices for replacement parts and the increase in car crashes are being cited as reasons why insurance rates are climbing."