Kia America is hosting a free anti-theft software upgrade event for eligible Kia owners on August 12, 2023 at the Atlanta Civic Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. EDT. Kia Owners can confirm eligibility for the anti-theft software upgrade or order a free steering wheel lock at the following website: https://ksupport.kiausa.com/ConsumerAffairs/SWLD. Kia has also provided the Atlanta Police Department with a large quantity of free steering wheel locks1 to distribute to Kia owners not eligible for the software upgrade. This event is the latest in Kia’s efforts to support Kia owners, the Atlanta Police Department and the greater Atlanta community by making it more difficult for criminals to use methods of theft popularized on social media.
The anti-theft software upgrade is designed to restrict the operation of the vehicle’s ignition system should a criminal attempt be made to steal a locked vehicle without the owner’s key. The upgrade has been installed in over 575,000 Kia vehicles across the country thus far and owners report the process can be completed in as few as 30 minutes.
Kia America will continue to provide steering wheel locks to owners of impacted Kia vehicles that are not eligible for the software upgrade at no cost through a dedicated website. Kia has been and continues to be willing to work cooperatively with law enforcement agencies around the country to combat car theft and the role social media has played in encouraging it.
