Kent and Tukwila offer wheel locks to Kia and Hyundai owners

The Kent and Tukwila police departments are offering Hyundai and Kia car owners free steering wheel locks.

The offer comes in response to a considerable increase in car thefts throughout Western Washington. Kia and Hyundai cars are particular targets because of a flaw that thieves can exploit. Within a minute, a person can use a simple USB cable to start the car and drive away. This information has spread far on social media, prompting warnings from local police departments.

Kia and Hyundai are providing the wheel locks to Kent and Tukwila.

Tukwila residents can pick up their locks at the Justice Center at 15005 Tukwila International Boulevard between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The Kent Police Department will hand out steering wheel locks to residents on a first-come, first-serve basis on Tuesday, Feb. 28 between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. at City Hall, and on Saturday, March 4 between 9 a.m. and noon.

The offer is only open to Tukwila or Kent residents at their respective police departments. Proof of residency can be mail, such as a utility bill, sent to a Tukwila or Kent home address.

Hyundai owners in Kent must have key ignition cars that were made before 2021. There are no stipulations for KIA owners.

Like many other regions throughout the United States, the Seattle area has experienced a significant uptick in car thefts, especially of Kia and Hyundai cars. Because of this increase, Seattle is suing the car companies.

Also in response to the thefts, Hyundai is offering free anti-theft software that will prevent its vehicles from starting using the USB tactic. Hyundai began rolling out the software fix for about 4 million of its vehicles on Feb. 14.

Kia has also begun offering and installing anti-theft software for select vehicles and will continue doing so on a rolling basis, according to a company statement.

"Kia is notifying eligible owners by mail when the software is available for their vehicles and instructing them to bring their vehicle to the nearest Kia dealership for the free upgrade, which takes under an hour to install," the statement said.

NOTE: This story has been updated to include a written response from Kia America.