Old Model Hyundais and Kias More Likely to be Targeted for Car Break-ins

(EWING, N.J.) — Three attempted auto burglaries were reported to Ewing Police on Sept. 1 and 2 in the Glendale neighborhood. No cars were reported stolen, but most endured bashed windows.

Residents of Glendale took to their community Facebook group to report and commiserate about the break-ins, discuss the reasons this might be occurring, and to warn neighbors to protect their vehicles. 

Laura Vellenga, a resident in this area for 25 years, was the subject of one of the burglaries that took place on the night of Sept. 1, with a car that had just been repaired from a previous break in. 

“It happened to us twice within about 10 days,” Vellenga said. “It’s a pain to keep getting it fixed.”

Vellenga said she keeps nothing of value in her car, and was wondering why she’s become a target, especially since the car she drives is an older stick-shift vehicle. That was until she heard a rumor about the type of car she’s been driving.

“Older model Hyundais and Kias are apparently easy to jump start,” Vellenga said she heard around town, which would make sense in her case, since the twice-broken-into car was a 2005 Hyundai. 

Chief Albert Rhodes of the Ewing P.D. supported this suspicion regarding these models, noting that, “the theft attempts that were reported involved two Hyundais and one Kia. Due to a manufacturing issue, these vehicles seem to be very easy to steal once someone gains access to the interior.” 

CNN has even reported this to be true, and has found that the two brands have begun offering free anti-theft upgrades for some of these older models. “So far, more than 2 million Hyundai and Kia vehicles have gotten the update, according to the automakers,” CNN reports.

It seems that gaining access to the steering wheel and jump-starting the car is the main goal for these break-ins, as opposed to stealing items within the car. “Many times thieves will break a window to gain access and once inside it is a matter of seconds before they are able to start the vehicle and drive off,” Rhodes said.

Residents who own these types of cars might be left wondering how to proceed. For her part, Vellenga said, “If someone really wants your stuff, they’ll get it — there’s only so much you can do.” 

The most important thing to do, Chief Rhodes notes, is to always lock your car doors and call the police if you notice any suspicious activity. Rhodes also suggests looking into steering locking mechanisms, such as one called “The Club.” 

“It happens every now and then — we get a spurt of it, and then it dies down,” Vellenga notes. “I don’t actually get the feeling that crime is increasing. It’s just obnoxious.”