Hyundai thefts have decreased by 90% in Montgomery County following efforts by local officials to fight the rise in auto theft.
Reports of stolen Hyundai vehicles declined to 10 this month, in a drop from October of last year, when 103 vehicles were reported stolen. September 2024 alone saw 35 stolen.
Reports of stolen Hyundais skyrocketed in 2021 after a social media trend showed how easy they were to steal because of a flawed ignition system.
D.C. and Maryland had a higher percent increase in auto thefts than the rest of the country, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau.
Since the increase in vehicle theft, local officials have introduced multiple initiatives to help combat the rise in crime.
Hyundai repair events were held in a parking lot outside Montgomery County police headquarters. Technicians sent by the automaker last May outfitted every vehicle in line with a free software update designed to address a flaw in the ignition system of 2011 to 2022 model Hyundai vehicles.
The Montgomery County Police Department also created the Auto Crime Enforcement Section in 2023 to address the issue of auto thefts throughout the county.
Because of the high theft rate, some Hyundai owners have been denied coverage by their insurance companies.
"There's a new Maryland Insurance Commissioner, Marie Grant, and we hope that she will step up to the plate and protect consumers and make sure that auto insurance is affordable for everyone," said Michael DeLong with the Consumer Federation of America, a nonprofit that has advocated for Hyundai owners nationwide.
Hyundai thefts have steadily declined since October 2023. Thirty-five Hyundai vehicles were reported stolen in September, indicating a more than 70% decline in Hyundai thefts in the past month.
Police still encourage residents to practice safety measures such as locking their cars and reporting suspicious behavior.
