Update: DC giving out free steering wheel locks if you own a 2011-2021 Kia or Hyundai

Update from the Mayor’s Office:

“Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced that DC residents who own a 2011-2021 Kia or Hyundai vehicle are eligible to receive a free steering wheel lock from an MPD District station starting this Friday, February 24. MPD is partnering with Kia and Hyundai corporations to combat motor vehicle theft after a social media challenge that encourages using a USB cable to steal these types of cars led to a substantial increase in Kia and Hyundai car thefts.

“Car theft is a serious problem – it is incredibly stressful and often costly and time-consuming for the victims, and it is dangerous to have these stolen cars on the road,” said Mayor Bowser. “I encourage all DC residents who own a 2011-2021 Kia or Hyundai to pick up their free steering wheel locks as soon as possible from a District station to prevent theft. As MPD and our public safety partners work together to prevent car theft and hold accountable those who are stealing cars in our city, this is one way we can work together to proactively prevent crime.”

This week, MPD will begin offering free steering wheel locks to District residents who own a 2011-2021 Kia or Hyundai on a first-come, first-serve basis and while supplies last.

Residents who qualify for the steering wheel lock must have proof of the below:

A 2011-2021 Hyundai or Kia Vehicle
A steel key ignition (keyless entry/push-to-start vehicles are not impacted)
Proof of DC registration
A District ID

Starting this Friday, February 24, residents with impacted Kia and Hyundai vehicles can pick up a steering wheel lock by visiting any of the MPD District stations:

First District: 101 M Street SW
Second District: 3320 Idaho Avenue NW
Third District: 1620 V Street NW
Fourth District: 6001 Georgia Avenue NW
Fifth District: 1805 Bladensburg Road NE
Sixth District: 5002 Hayes Street NE
Seventh District: 2455 Alabama Ave SE

The steering wheel locks will be given to qualified residents on a first-come, first-served basis. Residents can check to see if their local District station has any wheel locks remaining by going to mpdc.dc.gov/autotheft

In 2022, there were 3,761 motor vehicle thefts in Washington, DC, an 8% increase from 2021. The social media trend of how to steal the cars, which was made public during the summer of 2022, directly increased the number of motor vehicle thefts the city saw involving Hyundai and Kia vehicles. In January 2022, there were 25 total reported incidents of motor vehicle thefts involving these vehicles. In December 2022, there were 150 reported incidents.”

“Dear PoPville,

My Kia was stolen Sunday. I don’t know when DC put out a safety alert to Kia and Hyundai owners but it might be worth mentioning again.

The police found a Kia from Virginia that had been stolen parked next to where my car had been parked. They said the thieves likely stole that car in VA, drove it until it ran out of gas (because the cars can’t be restarted once they’ve been stolen via USB cable to the ignition), abandoned it near the next Kia they saw, which happened to be my car. Hope this info might help others protect their cars.”