ST. LOUIS — KIA owners have continued to fall victim to theft and break-ins across the country and an effort in St. Louis will work to help this weekend.
The manufacturer will hold drive-through clinics to install free anti-theft software on some models.
These pop-up clinics have become common as thieves continue to break into KIAs that use a steel key and "turn-to-start" ignition system.
- Downtown St. Louis - 608 S. Broadway at the Poplar and Broadway parking lot (next to Busch Stadium)
- Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Chesterfield - Chesterfield Mall - 291 Chesterfield Center
- Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Fueled by a social media trend, the theft rate of certain Kias and Hyundais increased by 1,000% between 2020 and 2023, according to the Highway Loss Data Institute.
'It's horrible. It's horrible. We work hard for these cars, and this happens," said Toni Little John, who was first in line for the repairs on Friday.
It takes technicians 30 minutes to install software on the vehicle. That'll essentially stop it from starting if your locked car gets broken into or stolen without the key.
Capt. Harry Dilworth of the Ferguson Police Department said the department receives dozens of reports about stolen Kias and Hyundais every month.
"I'm glad to see the auto manufacturers getting out there and being proactive," the police captain said.
Dilworth added that in addition to increasing patrols in hard-hit areas and watching out for suspicious activity, the police department has given out wheel locks to people in the Ferguson area and is teaching the public how to use them.
"The last probably year or so, we've probably given out close to 200 wheel locks. We're working on getting more," he added.
KIA owners who attend the clinic also walk away with wheel locks.
Here are the impacted Kia models:
- 2011-2022 Sportage
- 2011-2020 Optima
- 2011-2022 Sorento
- 2011-2021 Forte
- 2020-2022 Soul
- 2012-2021 Rio
- 2011-2021 Sedona
- 2021-2022 Seltos
- 2021-2022 K5