It started with a viral TikTok video. Thieves discovered that millions of Hyundai and Kia vehicles lacked a key security feature, making them easy to steal. Soon, the “Kia Challenge” took off, and thefts skyrocketed. People died, insurance rates spiked, lawsuits followed, and major insurers even refused to cover some models. Now, with TikTok banned in the U.S., could future car owners be spared from the next viral theft wave–saving them hundreds of millions of dollars?

How a TikTok trend cost car owners millions

In 2021, videos surfaced on TikTok showing how to steal certain Hyundai and Kia models with a USB cable. The trick worked on cars with mechanical keys and no engine immobilizers. By 2022, police departments nationwide reported massive theft spikes. In Chicago, 551 Kia and Hyundai vehicles were stolen in the first half of the year. That number jumped to 6,250 by the end of the year.

In Milwaukee, thefts surged by more than 200% between 2019 and 2021. “In 2019, approximately 3,500 vehicles were stolen… By 2021, that number had increased to 10,500,” according to the Milwaukee Police Department. Kia and Hyundai models made up 67% of those stolen.

Insurance companies took notice. State Farm called the theft wave “a serious problem impacting our customers and the entire auto insurance industry.” Progressive described the rise as “explosive,” making the cars “extremely challenging to insure.” Some major insurers stopped covering affected models. Others dramatically raised premiums.

The legal consequences piled up. Kia and Hyundai settled a class-action lawsuit for $200 million in 2023. “The settlement covered approximately 9 million U.S. owners and included up to $145 million for out-of-pocket losses,” reported IA Magazine. Affected owners could receive anywhere from $250 to 60% of their car’s black book value.

Will the next car theft trend go viral?

Career car thieves will always find the next security flaw. But without TikTok, spreading that information just got harder. Would-be car thieves—many of them teenagers—may have never stolen a Kia if they hadn’t seen it go viral. And the trend made the streets dangerous: “The challenge also resulted in at least 14 crashes and eight fatalities,” reported Insurify.

The Supreme Court recently upheld the TikTok ban, with the Justice Department arguing the Chinese-owned platform poses a national security risk. Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said the court’s decision “is focused on protecting Americans, not restricting free speech.” The government wants decision-makers invested in safety and security here in the U.S., app owners willing to sit down and seek solutions to problems like the “Kia Challenge.”

The TikTok-fueled Hyundai and Kia theft wave left behind a mess—millions in damages, higher insurance rates, and a $200 million lawsuit. With TikTok now banned, experts hope the next big car security flaw won’t turn into a nationwide crime spree. But there are many ways to share information online. We may just have to wait and see what happens when the next major automobile security vulnerability surfaces.