[NorthYorkie]

A worrying segment on the Watchdog segment on tonight's "One Show" regarding the vulnerability of keyless cars. It would seem that Kia's are particularly susceptible to these relay attacks. Is there a software fix for this to make the key operate as just a remote unlock by keypress only.

It seems to me that keyless is a solution looking for a problem that didn't exist. I don't find it difficult to press a button on the fob to unlock. I have to press a button on the handle, so what's the point if it creates a security risk !

Having watched the segment on the One Show, I think the obvious thing is to do is keep the key fobs in a 'faraday cage' pouch/box and/or add some sort of secondary protection to the vehicle (modern day versions of the 'Krooklock', disklock etc).

Not that you should have to with a modern vehicle, but I suppose we are where we are.

I wonder if ultimately Kia can find a way to deactivate the keyless software on the vehicle, and owners can go back to pressing the button on the fob.

As you rightly point out, 'Keyless' is a 'solution' to the really insignificant, minor matter of pressing a button on a key fob!

 

[NorthYorkie]

Following the BBC piece on the One Show, I PM'd Kia Customer Services about the matter.

I enquired with Kia Customer Services via PM if my 2021 Sportage GT Line S could have its 'Keyless' deactivated by Kia dealerships, and revert to 'pressing the button' but was told it wasn't possible.

They did copy me into a Kia issued statement as follows:

Kia is deeply concerned about the risk to our customers’ property posed by determined criminals utilising the latest technology to break into vehicles and we are aware that this is an issue across the industry.

Safeguarding the security and safety of our vehicles is crucial to us and we shall continue to develop and update new effective countermeasures against hacking and relay attacks such as ultra-wideband technology, in addition to security features that are already available in some models (motion-sensor fobs and unique-user identification).

One action which Kia UK has also taken is offering of Faraday pouches for keyless entry equipped vehicle keys. These are available for customers of new or approved used vehicles, equally they can be bought as standalone items via Kia Dealers.

I have enquired which Kia models do actually have these 'motion sensor fobs and 'unique-user identification'. Or at least if my vehicle has such measures being a 2021 model. I await their response.

For other Kia owners with 'keyless', it seems to be a case of 'buy your own faraday pouch'!

 

[NorthYorkie]

@NorthYorkie it would be interesting to know if your 2021 Sportage has the motion-sensor type fob - I suspect not. I suppose you could always try placing the fob close to the car, wait a few minutes and then try and open it on the handle button. But wait until the rain stops...

Hi mr.macspot,

Well, I have asked the question of Kia Customer Services. I await their reply with interest.

Yes, when (or is that if?) it stops raining I will do a few experiments and see if the fob does 'go to sleep' when left alone.

 

[NorthYorkie]

@NorthYorkie it would be interesting to know if your 2021 Sportage has the motion-sensor type fob - I suspect not. I suppose you could always try placing the fob close to the car, wait a few minutes and then try and open it on the handle button. But wait until the rain stops...

Hi mr.macspot,

In a lull in the near persistent rain/drizzle this morning I carried out some experiments with the key fob and the car.

It would appear the fob on my 2021 Sportage does not have the motion sensor. Or of it does, it takes over 30 minutes to ‘go to sleep’.

The problem of course is if it did have this feature, it is difficult to establish as every time the fob is moved, it ‘wakes it up’ and acts as the 'non motion sensor' type fobs do.

I will wait and see what Kia Customer Services say as I pm'd them the VIN etc.

 

[NorthYorkie]

I had a similar size tin and did the same, it didn't work. I lined it with crumpled kitchen foil, interior and lid, and that worked. However after a some regular use the foil flattened and the tin failed to block the signal again, you have to replace the foil frequently. I'm thinking of buying a proper Faraday box next.

I think I have the perfect method of securing the fob..............

Wrap fob in crumpled foil.
Place fob in a faraday pouch.
Wrap pouch in crumpled foil.
Place pouch in a faraday box.
Wrap faraday box in crumpled foil.
Store faraday box in the microwave oven (switched off of course).
Wrap the microwave oven in crumpled foil
Store microwave oven in a large fridge.

At this point I ran out of baco-foil, so couldn't wrap the fridge!

As to where I would have put the wrapped fridge, god only knows!

 

[NorthYorkie]

@NorthYorkie it would be interesting to know if your 2021 Sportage has the motion-sensor type fob - I suspect not.

Hello again mr.macspot.

Kia Customer services have today replied re my request to them as stated in post #7 of this thread re which Kia vehicles (or at least if my 2021 Sportage having suplied the VIN number) had the 'motion sensor fobs' and/or 'unique-user identification'.

The response is:

We're waiting for confirmation from our product team on how to identify the models with this tech. Kind regards KCS

Edit at 1338hrs: further update from Kia Customer Services as follows:

We've confirmed the Sport age isn't currently manufactured with these features. We expect to see them rolled out across most models in the next few years. Kind regards KCS

They cannot even spell Sportage correctly!