Missouri State University’s Safety Department is warning Kia and Hyundai vehicle owners in Springfield that those brands are being targeted by thieves.
In a campus-wide email, officials said a Kia and Hyundai were stolen in the past two weeks from MSU campus parking areas. And they’ve been made aware of a broader pattern of thefts targeting those same vehicle models, specifically models from 2012-2021, in areas surrounding campus.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau’s 2024 Vehicle Theft Trends found that the Hyundai Elantra and Sonata were the most stolen vehicles in the U.S. last year. The Kia Optima was the fifth most stolen. Third was the Chevy Silverado 1500 and fourth was the Honda Accord.
The Kia and Hyundai vehicles are vulnerable due to vulnerabilities in their ignition systems, according to MSU Safety. They said these vehicles are at higher risk of theft if they're not equipped with immobilizers.
MSU Safety officials ask anyone who sees suspicious activity in or around campus parking lots to report it immediately to 417-836-5509.
Ways to protect your vehicle include using a steering wheel lock; parking in well-lit, high-traffic areas; locking doors and closing windows; and installing a vehicle alarm system or GPS tracker. You should never leave valuables or keys inside a vehicle.
