The TikTok Challenge That Teaches Teens to Steal Cars

Click on the tag #KiaBoys on TikTok and you’ll see that, at least as of February 2, 2023, it has 27.2 million views, and millions more on YouTube. Although many of the TikTok videos under this hashtag have notices stating that “participating in this activity could result in you or others getting hurt,” they are still getting significant traction on both platforms. These videos teach kids how to hot-wire certain Hyundai and Kia models using only a USB charging cable. The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) is now petitioning YouTube to take down these videos.¹

The process depicted in such videos is simple, and only requires someone to gain access to the vehicle, remove the steering wheel column, and hot-wire it with a USB cable. This viral trick, which takes 20 to 30 seconds from start to finish, teaches kids how to commit auto theft — in some cases, before they’re even old enough to drive.

Once the teens in the videos steal these vehicles, they use the stolen cars for joyrides or to commit other crimes. They then abandon the cars, often with major damages, on the side of roads.²

Across the U.S., car theft is on the rise. From 2020 to 2021, it increased by 6 percent, following a 17 percent increase from 2019 to 2020. The problem is worse in certain cities, like Columbus, Ohio, and Denver, Colorado, which have experienced high numbers of Hyundai and Kia thefts.³ However, it’s unclear why those car types are being targeted apart from the fact that they are easier to steal for reasons we detail below.

Columbus, Ohio

From July 2021 to 2022, car theft attempts in Columbus rose from 43 to 733, an increase of over 1,600 percent. As for actual car thefts, Columbus saw 3,000 in 2021 and 4,000 in 2022, a 34 percent increase, according to Duane Marby, the city’s police commander.

Significantly, 45 percent of the cars stolen were Kias and Hyundais, thefts that are attributed to the viral TikTok videos. Unfortunately, some of the thefts have also been connected to other crimes, including at least four homicides.⁴

Denver, Colorado

The Denver-Aurora-Lakewood area was the No. 2 core-based statistical area in the U.S. for auto theft in 2021, with 964 cars stolen per 100,000 residents, according to NICB data. As of February 2, 2023, the neighborhood around the Denver International Airport had the highest motor vehicle theft rates in the state, with 61.74 thefts per 1,000 residents, or 76 total instances so far in 2023.⁵

Notably, auto theft in Denver increased by 160 percent from 2018 to 2022. The majority of cars stolen were Hyundai and Kia models, according to local reports.⁶

As a result of this auto theft trend, State Farm and Progressive are no longer covering some Hyundai and Kia models from 2010 through 2021 that use mechanical keys, as opposed to key fobs and push buttons. Cars powered by mechanical keys are easier to steal, which seems to be the main reason these vehicles are being targeted.

Car insurance covers theft only if you have comprehensive coverage, which no state requires. If you don’t have comprehensive coverage already, we recommend getting it as part of full-coverage car insurance. In addition to auto theft, it covers any damages to your car from non-collisions, such as vandalism or inclement weather.

If your entire car is stolen, as opposed to a vehicle part, comprehensive coverage can pay to replace it with a vehicle of the same actual market value (AMV) — that is, what you paid for the car originally minus depreciation. To get back exactly what you paid, you would need new car replacement coverage.

Fortunately, if you’re one of the drivers State Farm and Progressive rejected, you can still find other providers for insurance coverage. Check out our list of the best auto insurance companies to learn more.