More than a year after Hyundai and Kia released new anti-theft software updates, thefts of vehicles with the new software are falling.

The automakers released the updates after a tenfold increase in thefts of certain models. “Whole vehicle” theft claims are 64% lower among cars with the software upgrade. The cars in question are older models made before 2023. These vehicles were more vulnerable to theft due to turn-key ignitions and lack of basic auto-theft prevention tech. Between early 2020 and the first half of 2023, thefts of these models rose more than 1,000%.

As part of a $200 million settlement, Hyundai and Kia began offering free software upgrades in February 2023. Over 2 million vehicles have gotten the update so far. The HLDI noted that only 30% of eligible vehicles had the software by the end of 2023.

Now, 61% of eligible Hyundai vehicles have the software. However, even with the new software, these older models are still stolen more often than others. Owners may not be using the software correctly, and the theft wave was partly a social media fad.

Hyundai and Kia theft rates are expected to decline as more vehicles get the software.