SEATTLE — Hyundai owners can receive free anti-theft software at four western Washington locations this week.
The manufacturer is offering the software at the following locations:
- Tacoma Dome: 8 am to 5 pm Friday; 8am to 6pm Saturday; 8am to 2pm Sunday
- Factoria mall in Bellevue: 8am to 6pm Friday; 8am to 6pm Saturday; 8am to 2pm Sunday
- Doug’s Hyundai, Edmonds: 9 am to 3 pm Saturday
- Robert Larson Hyundai, Tacoma: 8 am to 5 pm Saturday
“The mobile clinic is intended to complement Hyundai’s nationwide network of dealerships and drive further installations of Hyundai’s free anti-theft software upgrade for customers who continue to be affected by thefts,” Hyundai wrote online. “Specially trained mobile service technicians will be on-site to install and complete the software upgrade, which should take less than 30 minutes.”
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Hyundai owners don’t need an appointment to get the software.
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“The events are part of a larger effort to reduce the number of thefts of these vehicles throughout the Puget Sound region, after a popular online trend has caused thefts of Kia and Hyundai vehicles to spike,” the city of Bellevue wrote in a news release . “Owners of affected Hyundai vehicles will be able to come to the events without an appointment and receive a free security software upgrade or an ignition hardware upgrade that will take about 20 minutes to complete. Owners can also receive a free steering wheel lock and crime prevention information.”
Info from the Puget Sound Auto Theft Task Force:
HYUNDAI OWNERS: We want to remind you of Hyundai’s anti-theft software installation event this weekend. You don’t need an appointment and the upgrade is FREE. The following vehicles have a key-start ignition and NEED the software upgrade:
2018 – 2022 Accent
2011 – 2022 Elantra
2013 – 2020 Elantra GT
2013 – 2014 Genesis Coupe
2018 – 2022 Kona
2020 – 2021 Palisade
2013 – 2022 Sante Fe
2013- 2018 Santa Fe Sport
2019 Santa Fe XL
2011 – 2019 Sonata
2011 – 2022 Tucson
2012 – 2017 Veloster
2019 – 2021 Veloster
2020 – 2021 Venues
The software upgrade modifies certain vehicle control modules on Hyundai vehicles equipped with standard “turn-key-to-start” ignition systems. As a result, locking the doors will set the factory alarm and activate an “ignition kill” feature so the vehicle cannot be started when subjected to the popularized theft mode.
The upgrade is installed by Hyundai technicians, takes about 30 minutes, and there is a climate-controlled customer waiting area.
Please visit one of these locations this weekend:
TACOMA DOME
Friday | 8 am – 6 pm
Saturday | 8 am – 5 pm
Sunday | 8 am – 2 pm
FACTORIA MALL
Friday & Saturday | 8 am – 6 pm
Sunday | 8 am – 2 pm
ROBERT LARSON HYUNDAI | 7601 S TACOMA WAY | TACOMA
Saturday | 8am – 5pm
DOUG’S HYUNDAI | 22130 HWY 99 | EDMONDS
Saturday | 9 am – 3 pm
There are also FREE steering wheel locks available, which we highly recommend as a visual deterrent, even after the upgrade.
To see if your vehicle needs the upgrade, please use Hyundai’s VIN checker: