Hyundai

⚠️ Article status notice: This article has been marked as incomplete

This article needs additional work for its sourcing and verifiability to meet the wiki's Content Guidelines and be in line with our Mission Statement for comprehensive coverage of consumer protection issues.

This notice will be removed once sufficient documentation has been added to establish the systemic nature of these issues. Once you believe the article is ready to have its notice removed, please visit the Moderator's noticeboard, or the discord and post to the #appeals channel.

Learn more ▼

This Article Requires Additional Verification

---

This article has been flagged due to verification concerns. While the topic might have merit, the claims presented lack citations that live up to our standards, or rely on sources that are questionable or unverifiable by our standards. Articles must meet the Moderator Guidelines and Mission statement; factual accuracy and systemic relevance are required for inclusion here!

Why This Article Is In Question

---

Articles in this wiki are required to:

• Provide verifiable & credible evidence to substantiate claims.
• Avoid relying on anecdotal, unsourced, or suspicious citations that lack legitimacy.
• Make sure that all claims are backed by reliable documentation or reporting from reputable sources.

Examples of issues that trigger this notice:

• A topic that heavily relies on forum posts, personal blogs, or other unverifiable sources.
• Unsupported claims with no evidence or citations to back them up.
• Citations to disreputable sources, like non-expert blogs or sites known for spreading misinformation.

How You Can Improve This Article

---

To address verification concerns:

• Replace or supplement weak citations with credible, verifiable sources.
• Make sure that claims are backed by reputable reporting or independent documentation.
• Provide additional evidence to demonstrate systemic relevance and factual accuracy. For example:
  • Avoid: Claims based entirely on personal anecdotes or hearsay without supporting documentation.
  • Include: Corporate policies, internal communications, receipts, repair logs, verifiable video evidence, or credible investigative reports.

If you believe this notice has been placed in error, or once the article has been updated to address these concerns, please visit the #appeals channel on our Discord server: Join here.

Hyundai

Basic information
Founded	1967
Legal structure	Public
Industry	Automotive
Official website	https://hyundai.com/

Hyundai Motor Company, commonly referred to as Hyundai, is a South Korean multinational automotive manufacturer headquartered in Seoul. Founded in 1967 by Chung Ju-yung, Hyundai is one of the largest car manufacturers in the world, producing a wide range of vehicles, including sedans, SUVs, trucks, and electric vehicles.

Hyundai has also been accused of selling customer's telemetry data to third-party Verisk which then performed risk assessments and generated reports that insurance companies purchased for drivers.

Consumer Protection and Right to Repair

Hyundai customers were quoted $56,000 CAD for a new battery pack plus labor cost. This figure has sparked controversy, as it effectively makes replacement economically unfeasible. Hyundai tried to blame the misquote on one "independent" dealer, despite the fact that multiple sources have confirmed identical pricing across authorized dealerships.

Keyless Entry Exploit

In August 2025, a flaw was discovered in the security of Hyundai's wireless communications protocol which allows hackers with a "Game Boy-style" device to access the Ioniq 5 and gain physical access to the vehicle without the owner's consent. Hyundai is offering to fix this flaw in their production software for customers who pay a £49 charge.

Background

Keyless entry systems and push-button start systems in cars are becoming increasingly prevalent, offering drivers greater convenience and enhanced features like remote start. While these systems enhance the user experience, they have also introduced new security challenges, with criminals developing ways to exploit vulnerabilities. These systems have long been vulnerable to relay attacks, a broader issue in the automotive industry documented by security researchers. Previous incidents (e.g., Kia “USB hacks” and BMW relay thefts) illustrate a systemic security problem across the industry.

Hyundai's Response

Hyundai put out a statement on their website:

All vehicles produced by Hyundai are developed and certified in accordance with all applicable security and regulatory standards in place at the time of production and sale, including the applied security systems installed.

Recently, evolving security threats, including the use of unauthorised electronic devices to bypass vehicle locking systems have become more prevalent in the UK. This is an industry-wide issue and Hyundai is providing appropriate responses in line with industry practices.

As part of the Company’s commitment to supporting our customers, we are able to offer a subsidised software and hardware upgrade for a customer contribution of £49.

Hyundai’s statement frames the £49 charge as part of their “commitment to supporting customers,” describing the fix as a “subsidised upgrade.” However, this phrasing shifts attention away from the underlying issue—that customers are being asked to pay to address a security vulnerability in the company’s product. While the cost may be reduced, the language used makes it less clear that responsibility for the expense has been placed on owners rather than covered by the manufacturer.

Customer Backlash

Many consumers have expressed sharp frustration and disillusionment over Hyundai's handling of the Ioniq 5 keyless theft vulnerability. One notable case involves a digital security expert, whose Ioniq 5 was stolen in under 20 seconds using a handheld emulator device disguising itself as a Game Boy. The owner says Hyundai had warned him of other modifications the vehicle required, but failed to alert him and other motorists that its security systems were compromised.