By james art The Glendale Police Department announces a special partnership with Hyundai Corporation of America. Hyundai dealers in Glendale will offer a free anti-theft software update for Hyundai models that use a “key to start”. Just four years ago, social media showed its viewers how easy it is to steal some Hyundai models. The fad caught on and Hyundai’s theft rate skyrocketed. After a class action lawsuit, Hyundai prepared a software upgrade to make its vulnerable models less vulnerable.
Glendale Police and Hyundai are encouraging Hyundai owners to take advantage of this free event to reduce the risk of their vehicle being stolen. An August 2024 report published by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety notes, “The companies’ solution is extremely effective. If you own a Hyundai or Kia vehicle without an electronic immobilizer, you should call your local dealer to receive a software upgrade today.”
Dave VandeLinde, Vice President of Hyundai Motor America, “First I want to thank Commander Jay O’Neill, Tina, Brian Gallagher for organizing this Valley anti-theft event and congratulate all members of the Glendale Police Department and the Valley Hyundai dealers for supporting our customers this Saturday.” Early last year, Hyundai released its software solution for model years 2011 to 2021 with a simple key (knife key) to start the engine. 830 Hyundai dealers across the country update about 1,000 vehicles with the anti-theft upgrade every day.
“The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently released a detailed report on the effectiveness of this software upgrade, highlighting its success in reducing theft rates. We appreciate the detailed published research and analysis by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Loss Data Institute, which confirms and recommends that all Hyundai customers obtain this software update as soon as possible.”
The 2021 to 2011 Hyundai models that require a blade key that you insert and turn to start the engine are the ones that need a software update. Hyundai owners can visit www.hyundaiantitheft.com and enter the vehicle serial number, or VIN, located on the inside of the driver’s side door, and see if their car needs this important software update.
Dave VandeLinde, vice president of Hyundai Motor America, describes what’s happening during the Hyundai Anti-Theft Upgrade at the Glendale Police Department’s main building, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024. The event was to announce and encourage Hyundai owners to check that their vehicle needs this free anti-theft software upgrade saturday october 26, 2024 at valley hyundai dealerships.
The process is simple, a Communication Vehicle Interface (CVI) plugs under the car’s dashboard and the CVI communicates wirelessly with the Android tablet. The Android tablet communicates with Hyundai’s servers over a secure network. It only takes about 15 minutes. If the car’s memory is too full, just like an older phone or computer cannot accept software updates, they will require a mechanical solution. A mechanical sleeve is permanently bonded to the outside of the ignition cylinder.
After the vehicle receives a software update, stickers are affixed to the inside of both front door windows. They are white, about two by three inches, which allows would-be thieves to see that this car has an extra layer of protection.
ANTI-THEFT EVENT DETAILS:
If your Hyundai vehicle has push button start or was manufactured after November 2021, it has an engine immobilizer and will not be affected by this software update notice. If your vehicle has a standard key-to-start ignition system, please check your vehicle’s VIN to see if your vehicle is eligible for the software upgrade.
No registration required | No registration | No cost | No registration
Saturday, October 26, 9am – 3pm If you can’t make it this weekend to find out, make an appointment on Saturday. All dealers listed below and any dealer nationwide are available to schedule an appointment to have this work done. The upgrade usually takes about 15 minutes, a manual update may take about 5 to 10 minutes longer. For more information, visit the Hyundai Anti-theft home page, www.hyundaiantitheft.com.
Hyundai dealerships
Chapman Hyundai:
Chapman Scottsdale Hyundai:
AutoNation Hyundai Tempe:
Larry H. Miller Hyundai Peoria:
Camelback Hyundai:
Earnhardt Hyundai N. Scottsdale:
Earnhardt Hyundai – Avondale: https://www.earnhardthyundai.com/
Horne Hyundai: https://www.hornehyundai.com/
Ken Garff Hyundai Surprise:
San Tan Hyundai: https://www.santanhyundai.com/
Trained service technicians will be on site to install and
complete the software upgrade, which should take less than 30 minutes.