2021 Kia Forte

My main issue is concerning a critical design flaw that has been found due to a social media challenge called the Kia Challenge where people are able to start up and steal a Kia after only using a USB cord adapter (found near the key start on the steering wheel) without needing a key. This has caused a concerning increase in the theft of Kias across the country which has also affected my insurance rates. After repeatedly trying to contact Kia for two days on August 2nd and August 3rd, I was finally able to get in contact with customer service concerning the recent issue with Kias (model years of 2011 to 2021 with manual key start steering wheels) that are being stolen by just using a USB cord to turn on the car without a key. After waiting on hold for an hour, the customer service agent was extremely rude and uncaring about my concerns as my area is also being affected by these recent car thefts. My insurance rates have also gone up due to the overall riskiness of owning these cars and their likelihood of being stolen because it has a key start for the engine. After doing research on the information available to me, I found out that Kia higher-ups approved measures to cut the costs by not including automobile immobilizers that have been the industry standard for a little over 20s years. It makes no sense that my older 2018 model Camry has industry standard parts but my 2021 Kia Forte does not. I am highly aggravated that I am stuck having to pay for a vehicle that has a higher likelihood of being stolen all because the company wanted to save a few dollars and not include immobilizers on their cars until the 2022 models. I am highly upset that Kia, their reps, and dealers have displayed an abhorrent lack of concern in trying to fix this issue as this prevents me from having to go to important job sites for work. This issue needs to be resolved as soon as possible. Link to story https://www.insider.com/tiktok-kia-challenge-using-usb-cables-to-steal-cars-2022-7

A defect in 2021 Kia Forte vehicle engine start and security systems allows for the rear window to be broken without an alarm activation and the car to be started without a key or key-like device. The vehicle can be started with something as simple as a screwdriver. Vehicles of this make and model are being targeted by criminal activity and it is a safety concern for Kia consumers and drivers. Kia is aware of this defect and has issued a statement that all future vehicles will come with improved safety systems and an engine immobilizer, but no recall on vehicles before the 2022 model year have been made for repairs or adjustment to solve the issue. My 2021 Kia Forte was stolen from my house while I was home and which failed to cause a triggered alarm. There were no possessions in the car and the vehicle was locked. The individual who stole the vehicle only had to pull off my steering column cover and the ignition box to steal the vehicle. This is a rising concern throughout the nation, and Milwaukee currently has a class action suit for this safety defect. A new car with no history of problems and very little usage should not have this problem.

There is no kill switch. this is a new car but doesn't have the push start. So, I have gotten it stolen twice. It's still at body shop. I had to pay 500 twice for detectible and I asked while they have car if Kia could put a safety feature, so it doesn't happen again they told me Kia is doing nothing at this time. Please I need answers. We don't want this car anymore.

The contact owns 2021 Kia Forte. The contact stated the brakes would constantly squeak when making a stop. There were no warning lights illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that it was not a failure. The contact stated while she was parking the vehicle in a parking lot, the brake pedal was depressed and failed to respond. The contact stated the vehicle inadvertently accelerated on its own and crashed into a building. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact sustained injuries on the chest but she did not seek medical assistance. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The dealer was made aware of the failure and did not provide any assistance. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 3000.

6/20/2021 Miles when purchased: 18. I bought my Kia Forte and drove it home to Livermore from San Jose without any problem. 6/21/2021 & 6/22/2021 I did not drive anywhere. 6/23/2021 I drove to Dublin Bowl from Livermore. When I returned home (Livermore) and was pulling into my driveway, as I pressed on the accelerator the car completely lost power. When I let off on the accelerator and pressed it again, the car lurched forward, and I had to quickly brake to avoid crashing into my garage door. 6/24/2021 I did not drive anywhere. 6/25/2021 I drove to Dublin Bowl from Livermore. When I was leaving the parking lot, again pressing the accelerator produced a complete loss of power. Letting off the accelerator and easing it back down produced normal operation. This scared me as there were pedestrians present and I was not sure how much control I had on speed. While I was driving home on I-580 at freeway speed, I tried to change lanes. As I tried to accelerate, I experienced a complete loss of power. I had to swerve back into my lane and let off the gas and ease it back down to produce normal operation. Total miles to date: 140. Not driving car now.