Threat of rain cancels Kia and Hyundai software upgrade event

Editor's note: This is an updated version of the original story.

An event to provide software to prevent the thefts of certain models of Kias and Hyundais has been postponed due to the threat of "inclement weather," the Fayetteville Police Department announced Wednesday.

"We're working diligently with our partnerships to reschedule the event and ensure it's worth the wait," a news release said.

The National Weather Service in Raleigh predicts a 90% chance of heavy rain on Saturday when the event was to be held.

Owners of Hyundais and Kias, manufactured from 2011 through 2022, were invited to have the software updated this weekend. The affected cars have traditional turnkey ignitions, which are susceptible to being started without a key.

The event was to be held in partnership with Lee Hyundai and Fayetteville Kia, in collaboration with the police departments in Fayetteville, Spring Lake and Hope Mills, and the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office. 

"The Fayetteville Police Department has experienced a significant increase in the theft of Hyundai and Kia vehicles," the release said. "These types of vehicle thefts are not unique to Fayetteville and have been reported across the country."

A new date for the event has not been set, the release said.

Vehicle owners can still schedule the upgrade with Hyundai and Kia dealerships.

More:Fayetteville man struck and killed while attempting to stop carjacker in Lumberton

What the manufacturers are saying

According to Hyundai, thefts began to spike in the summer of 2022 in response to videos posted by car thieves to social media websites like TikTok in what became known as the "Kia Challenge."

"In these videos, thieves documented and promoted a specific method by which to bypass the vehicles’ security features, dismantle their steering columns and create direct access to their ignitions and challenged others to copycat their crimes," Hyundai said.

The following Hyundai vehicles are listed as being vulnerable:

• 2018-2022 Accent
• 2011-2022 Elantra and 2013-2020 Elantra GT
• 2013-2014 Genesis Coupe
• 2018-2022 Kona
• 2020-2021 Palisade
• 2013-2022 Santa Fe
• 2013-2018 Santa Fe Sport
• 2019 Santa Fe XL
• 2011-2019 Sonata
• 2011-2022 Tucson
• 2012-2017 and 2019-2021 Veloster
• 2020-2021 Venue

To check if a Kia needs the update visit https://ksupport.kiausa.com/ConsumerAffairs/SWLD and input a VIN number.

Public safety reporter Joseph Pierre can be reached at jpierre@gannett.com.