BUFFALO, N.Y. — Kia owners are sounding off after 275 Kias have been stolen in the last year in the city of Buffalo as part of the “Kia Challenge," according to the Buffalo Police Department.
A video showing people how to steal Kias and Hyundais has inspired individuals to try it, take the cars for a joy ride and leave them.
Amanda Berg lives on the edge of Black Rock and said police told her that was what happened when she woke up to find her 2017 Kia Soul — her first car — was not where she left it.
“I got my license when I was a little bit older so we’ve been through a lot together,” said Berg.
The window was smashed and the dashboard torn apart. Police found it after about 30 minutes of searching. It is currently at a mechanic, but Berg said she does not know whether to keep it or trade it in.
In Lovejoy, Amanda Lindamer said the same thing happened to her car, only it was all captured and boasted about on her Ring Doorbell camera.
“Violated. [I’m] angry that somebody would have the audacity to not only violate you, but then to rub it in your face that they stole your personal property with your stuff in it,” said Lindamer. “And they’re proud of it. And it’s not a game.”
Lindamer said she and her husband both have Kias, but she has no desire to keep them if the issue is not fixed.
A spokesperson for Kia did not comment on why the affected vehicles have not been recalled and instead issued the following statement:
"Kia remains concerned that criminal actors are targeting certain Kia cars with a steel key and “turn-tostart” ignition systems. While no car can be made completely theft-proof, Kia continues to make steering wheel locks available to customers through interested local law enforcement agencies, subject to available supply, at no cost to concerned owners of these vehicles. Kia also continues its efforts to develop additional solutions for vehicles not originally equipped with an immobilizer, including the development and testing of enhanced security software designed to restrict operation of the vehicle’s ignition system. Kia has started notifying owners of certain models of the availability of this software upgrade at no cost, and Kia anticipates that it will make software upgrades available for most affected vehicles over the next few months. All 2022 models and trims have an immobilizer applied either at the beginning of the year or as a running change, and all Kia vehicles meet or exceed Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Kia customers with questions regarding their Kia vehicle should contact the Kia Consumer Assistance Center directly at 1-800-333-4542 (Kia).”
