Hyundai Offers Security Upgrade for Vulnerable Ioniq 5 Models
Hyundai is now providing an “optional” security upgrade for the Ioniq 5 in the UK to thwart thieves utilizing a Game Boy-like device. The car manufacturer is asking owners of certain Ioniq 5 models to pay £49 ($65) for the upgrade, which enhances hardware and software to prevent unauthorized access to their vehicles, reports 24brussels.
This follow-up comes as Kia, Hyundai, and Genesis EVs have faced significant challenges from a sophisticated handheld device that exploits vulnerabilities in the wirelessly controlled access systems of these vehicles. The device mimics a Game Boy and has been responsible for a series of thefts across the UK and beyond, targeting models like the Ioniq 5, original Kia EV6, and Genesis GV60.
The paid upgrade, introduced as a response to “evolving security threats,” promises protection against the alarming rise in car thefts using these devices. Despite the added fee for the upgrade, there is criticism about Hyundai’s decision to charge customers to bolster security against a flaw inherent in their own systems, especially given the five-year warranty they offer on their vehicles.
Hyundai’s initiative emphasizes the severity of threats posed by electronic devices designed by hackers, which have been reportedly employed for at least five years to bypass keyless entry systems. These upgrades, while intended to safeguard vehicles, have raised questions about why customers should incur costs related to security deficiencies in the automotive technology provided by the company itself.
Investigations have revealed that the handheld devices, which cost around €20,000 in Europe, have been extensively used in stealing cars from various manufacturers, including Kia, Hyundai, Nissan, Genesis, and Mitsubishi. Reports indicate Hyundai’s Ioniq and Kia’s EV6 were amongst the most frequently stolen vehicles in the UK in 2024, highlighting the vulnerabilities these cars face.
In addition to the electronic theft issues, security researchers unearthed flaws in Kia’s online portal last year, permitting unauthorized access to vehicles. This finding is part of broader security vulnerabilities that have plagued Hyundai Motor Group, which oversees Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis brands. Notably, Hyundai and Kia reached a $200 million settlement in 2023 in relation to security breaches that enabled theft using simple USB cables, exposing the pressing need for improved security measures across their vehicle lines.