A TikTok user went viral after sharing a near-horror story: Her car vanished from her driveway, and she later found it a mile away.
Kaytlin Jarrell (@kaytlinjarrell21) says her neighborhood had already been hit by a string of thefts that snagged several neighbors.
“Literally just had three individuals arrested that were going around and breaking into people’s cars,” she said. “And today my car is missing.”
In the video, she asked viewers to “come with me to go find my car because it’s not in my driveway.” Luckily, her dad had a spare Mazda, so she drove around the area until she spotted the missing Kia Optima. As of this writing, her clip showing where she located the car has amassed 26,400 views.
Where Was the Kia Optima?
Jarrell says she hadn’t driven the spare more than a few minutes when she stumbled on her stolen Kia, parked just minutes from home. Apparently, the thieves didn’t bother to get far.
“I found my car and they’re stupid,” she said.
She called the police and waited.
“I am totally taking this to the fullest extent that I can possible to whoever did that,” she told viewers, and later recorded herself asking officers to press charges. She also wondered aloud how the thieves had gotten the car, since she had the keys and it locks automatically, even if she forgot.
An officer warned her that certain Kia models are common targets, saying thieves can “take the USBs and start the vehicles up.” The officer stated that it was a recall issue and advised Jarrell to bring the car to a dealership for repair.
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Why Do Thieves Fixate On Kias?
For years, certain Kia models have been a magnet for thieves—and the fact that they’re prime targets all comes down to a missing piece of technology.
According to Business Insider, cars made between roughly 2011 and 2021 that use a physical key were built without an engine immobilizer, a basic anti-theft feature that prevents a car from starting unless the right key or fob is nearby. Most other brands, such as Toyota and Honda, have made immobilizers standard for years. Kia and Hyundai didn’t, and thieves took notice.
The flaw exploded online after the so-called “Kia Challenge” went viral, showing how easily these cars could be hot-wired using something as simple as a USB cable. Videos spread fast, and thefts did too, especially in cities. Once the technique hit social media, stealing a Kia became a trend—one that overwhelmed police departments and infuriated car owners.
Kia and Hyundai have since tried to close the gap. They’re offering a free software upgrade through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that stops the car from starting without its key fob. Still, some owners say their cars remain targets. Now, law enforcement urges drivers to add old-school protections, such as steering wheel locks, for extra peace of mind.
Newer Kias aren’t part of the problem. Models built from late 2021 on now include engine immobilizers as standard equipment, making them much harder to steal. For everyone else, owners can check the Kia Customer Care Center or the NHTSA website to see if their vehicle qualifies for the software update.
Owners Say Kias Are Prime Targets
People who watched Jarrell’s video piled on, saying Kias are sitting ducks.
“Kia’s are the most stolen cars at the moment because all you need is a USB charger cord,” one woman shared. “But I’m glad you found your car.”
“The Kia boys dun found u,” another joked.
“It’s a Kia,” someone else observed. “They’re the easiest cars to steal. You should get someone to wire up a hidden kill switch.”
Some viewers said the trend pushed them away from the brand, or made them sell their own.
“I sold my Kia as soon as they started getting stolen,” one person wrote. “I had one of the easier steals, too, so I said BYE.”
“That’s why you don’t get a Kia,” another added.
Others were stunned at the method used to take the car.
“Ain’t no way with a usp port,” one commenter said.
Practical advice also appeared in the replies.
“Hide an Apple AirTag in it somewhere,” one recommended. “Or both the Apple and Android equivalent. It is worth the $50 spent.”
Motor1 has reached out to Jarrell via a direct message on TikTok.
