This is laughable...
 

Got this letter today. I'm hiding the Vin number for obvious reasons but the highlights are all on KIA.

I'm guessing this is one of those 1980ish thing's that you hook to the steering wheel and the brake pedal? The things that thieves can saw through the steering wheel in 10 seconds to get rid of?

Called 5he dealer and they naturally told me they haven't heard of this... lol!

Won't upload pic so here's the text

IMPORTANT STEERING WHEEL LOCKING DEVICE OFFER
AVAILABLE TO YOU AT NO COST
18, 2023
offer Code: ESKSV
Dear Kia Forte Vehicle Owner
You may be aware of media reports regarding risky social media "challenges" that encourage young people to break-ln and
steal certain Kia vehicles These challenges target Kia vehicles equipped with a steel key
"turn-to-start" Ignition system.
a
and
in response to this new phenomenon of online theft promotion, we began taking steps to try to address this criminal activity
by providing steering wheel lock devices to interested local law enforcement agencles in certain affected areas, tobe
oistrbuted. to concemned Kia owners at no cost.
Our records indicate you may own or lease a potentially affected vehicle, and we are reaching out to let you know we are now
making steering wheel lock devices avallable directly to certain Kla vehicle owners. These devices can help deter a theft
attempt. We are making this device available to you free of charge and will ship it directly to you if you place your order by
to
A
NOVEMBER 1, 2024, subject to available supplies.

What Should You Do?
You may submit your request for a free steering wheel lock device online at
https://ksupport.kiausa.com/ConsumerAffairs/SWLD.You can also use the QR code below with your mobile device to access
this link (see the bottom of this letter for more information about QR code use):

You will be required to provide:
toK
The Vehicle Identification Number identified in this letter, as well as the Offer Code in the upper right corner
Your name and the address where you want the steering wheel lock device shipped to
Only one device will be available per eligible vehicle and orders must be placed on or before NOVEMBER 1. 2024

Upon receiving your order, the steering wheel lock device will be shipped directly to you for self-installation. You should
receive your steering wheel lock device within 14 days following order placement, but delivery
times can be affected by
supply availability and weather conditions affecting shipping.
If you require additional assistance, please feel free to reach out to the Kia Customer Care Team online at kia.com
(Owners>Contact Us) or via phone at 800.333.4Kia (4542)
Sincerely,
customer Care Department

A QR Code Is a square, 2-dimensional barcode that can be read by moblle devices loaded with an approprlate barcode or QR Code Reader App. The app reads the barcode image and then launches/uploads
ls a.
the specifnc informatton the code contalns such as URLs tex, photos, videos.
With a moble device, download a AR Code Reader App. ith many devices you can do this through an app store or marketplace.
Open the @R Code Reader App on your moblle device, The app wilutlize your device's camera, Center the code in the camera viewing area. With some apps, the URL or other information wll
automaltically load when the code is recognized, For others you may have to snap or take a plcture of the QR code . Refer to the QR Reader Code App instructions.
CS2305L FL102

:shakes head:

:rofl2:

I saw this on the news a few months back when it started to gain attention.

But yeah, they apparently will be sending the steering wheel lock clubs to owners that are affected.

The best security for your car is a garage.

Not really. A guy i used to work with had his car stolen from his locked garage. After he settled up with the insurance company. He bought a new car. Parked it in the garage with "The Club" on the steering wheel. Go into the garage the next morning, jumps in the car to gp to work. He finds a note on the steering wheel that reads, "if we want it, we're take it". "The Club" was laying on the seat in pieces. There were no signs of forced entry to the garage either.

:iagree: Even with the best security, if it's man-made, it's 100% hackable. I meant in terms of chances, a garage would be best vs sitting outside. But yes, you are 100% correct that even in a garage, it could still be stolen.

One of my childhood friends had a very short-lived dream of importing and owning a real Integra Type R. He was constantly paranoid about it and decided to rent a UHaul garage to store it (he lives in a high-rise condo that only has a parking garage at the bottom of the building and no individual private garage), and even put in live-feed cameras. He spent a pretty penny on buying, importing, and making it legal for US roads, and he's the type that likes to flaunt his sh!t. I warned him many times that he's going to attract the wrong type of attention. Sure enough, one night, he showed me a video of some people breaking/towing it out of the garage lol.

Sounds like an idea straight out of American Auto

Nothing is unstealable. There are preventative measures, so that you make it HARD to steal, but you can't prevent it 100%.

A good way to protect your car as best as possible is to follow these simple steps:
1. Don't advertise your car by posting on facebook, instagram etc - to let everyone know you own the car along with posting pics of where you actually live. That'll give thieves an idea where to look
2. Don't post info about your upcoming trips, vacations etc - because you'll let everyone know if you're not at home, and the car may be a sitting duck, waiting to be stolen.
3. Keyless entry/start - keep the keys in a lead box away, AWAY from the car. Not in the hall by the front doors.
4. Have cameras looking at the car
5. Put the car in a garage if possible
6. Have a sort of mechanical deterrent such as a Disklok (covers the whole steering wheel, not that simple to remove), or a pedal lock (locks all pedals together), or a transmission immobilizer (old school Mul-T-Lock which locks the gearshift).
7. Install a kill switch. A simple hidden switch to disable the fuel pump, or ignition is a great stealth device to prolong the time to steal a vehicle
8. Have a GPS tracker on the car. Sure, it will not help if a car is stolen and hidden underground, but you will have some idea of where it is, or where it may be. Much better than nothing.

Or, I can expect KIA to make it right with an engine immobilizer? Yea, I know, just kidding. :shakes head:

It goes for any manufacturer actually, key immobilizers aren't flawless and there are ways to bypass them...I would always prefer to add a mechanical protection of any sort.

Or just take the entire car apart and hide all the pieces in different places :rofl2:

https://www.amazon.com/AgriOtter-Ele.../dp/B091N9JS6C
Wire to hidden dash switch and ignition wire
connect high voltage side to two nails pushed into the foam of the drivers seat right where the balls are.
Place hidden camera in car dome light.
post video of thief electrocuting his ball sack on youtube. Gain subscribers. repeat. make passive income.

:eek::rofl2::tup:

Best sig Eva!!!! :roflpuke2:

Just ban Tik Tok already so these dumbass kids can stop these stupid trends.