By John Q. Hosedrinker I own an older Kia, and I have to admit that I often worry about it being stolen. The thought of it being found damaged and in terrible condition is something I would rather not think about. But then I came across the story of a woman whose Kia has been stolen not once, not twice, but three times, even after a security upgrade. It made me question the effectiveness of these security measures and the safety of owning a Kia.
According to the Milwaukee police, there have been 308 vehicle thefts so far in 2024, with 64 of them being Kias. While this number may be down compared to previous years, it is still concerning. It seems like every 12-year-old in the neighborhood knows just how easy it is to steal these cars. Even if the “fix” were foolproof, the fact that the method is widely known means that the car will always be at risk of being broken into.
But why are these Kias such a hot target for thieves? It’s not like they are high-end luxury vehicles that are worth a fortune. Yet, people still seem to be drawn to stealing them. Is it the lack of security measures? Or is it simply a matter of supply and demand? The police say that once the overseas market is saturated with stolen cars, the demand will decrease. But until then, Kia owners will have to worry about keeping their vehicles safe.
Victim blaming seems to be prevalent when it comes to car thefts. People often ask why the owners didn’t take more precautions or why they chose to own a Kia in the first place. But the main problem here is not the cars; it’s the people who steal them. Instead of focusing on blaming the victims, we should be asking why there are so many individuals out there who are willing to commit these crimes.
It’s disheartening to hear that insurance premiums are going up for Kia owners, and some providers are even refusing to cover these vehicles due to the theft issues. It seems like Kia needs to take responsibility for their poor design and address the ignition switch issue. A recall might be the only way to truly solve this problem.
Some readers may suggest getting an alarm or installing a kill switch in the car. While these may be valid suggestions, they shouldn’t be necessary. As consumers, we should be able to trust that the vehicles we purchase are safe and secure. It shouldn’t be our responsibility to add extra layers of protection to prevent theft.
It’s obvious that Kia still has a problem, and the situation in Milwaukee is alarming. It’s frustrating to see that the woman in the story got her car back multiple times, but each time it was damaged and in terrible condition. I can only imagine the stress and inconvenience she had to endure. This kind of experience leaves one questioning the quality and reliability of Kia vehicles.
In conclusion, it’s clear that Kia owners in Milwaukee, and possibly in other areas as well, are facing a serious issue of car theft. The security upgrades seem to be insufficient, and the constant fear of having your vehicle stolen is both frustrating and disheartening. It’s time for Kia to step up and address these issues, ensuring that their customers feel safe and protected. Until then, it’s a risky endeavor to own a Kia in these areas, and potential buyers should be aware of the challenges they may face.