2021-2022 Kia Sportage Anti-Theft Software Upgrade

Why this matters

Owners of 2021-2022 Kia Sportage vehicles equipped with a steel key and a "turn-to-start" ignition system may be at an increased risk of theft. Recent social media "challenges" have highlighted vulnerabilities in certain Kia models, encouraging individuals to attempt to break into and steal these vehicles. This has led to concerns about vehicle security and potential losses for owners.

Kia has developed a solution to address these theft attempts. The company is actively reaching out to affected owners to inform them about an available software upgrade designed to deter such incidents. This proactive measure aims to protect vehicles and provide peace of mind to Kia owners.

What's being offered

Kia has developed a new software upgrade specifically designed to restrict the operation of your vehicle's ignition system. This upgrade will make it significantly harder for unauthorized individuals to start your vehicle, even if a break-in occurs without the key. The primary goal of this Kia Sportage anti-theft software is to prevent theft attempts from being successful.

In addition to the software update, Kia will also provide owners with window stickers. These stickers can be applied to your vehicle to visually deter potential thieves, signaling that the vehicle has received the enhanced security measures. The software upgrade and the window stickers are part of Kia's commitment to improving vehicle security for affected models.

Important Warnings

Kia emphasizes that this software upgrade is a limited-time offer. Owners must arrange for the Kia Sportage anti-theft software upgrade to be performed on their vehicle "BEFORE AUGUST 1, 2024, AS THIS IS A LIMITED TIME OFFER." Failure to have the upgrade completed by this date may result in the loss of the free service. Kia is not notifying consumers about this campaign via traditional recall letters, so owners should proactively schedule their appointment.

How to get the upgrade

To receive the complimentary Kia Sportage anti-theft software upgrade, you need to contact your authorized Kia dealer. The upgrade is available free of charge for eighteen (18) months from the date of the owner notification letter, which was January 27, 2023. The estimated time required for the upgrade procedure is approximately one to two hours, though actual service time may vary depending on the dealer's schedule.

To find your nearest dealer and schedule service, you can visit www.kia.com and use the "Find Dealer" button. On mobile devices, this option may appear as "Dealers." You can also use the QR code provided in the original owner letter to access this information directly. For additional assistance, you can contact the Kia Customer Care Team online at kia.com (Owners>Contact Us) or by phone at 800.333.4Kia (800.333.4542).