Hyundai’s new EV has the coolest upgrade I’ve seen in years. With the e-Corner System, it turns the wheels 90 degrees and crab walks into a parking space. You gotta see this.
What happens when your car tech gets outdated?
Today’s cars are basically computers on wheels. The average modern car contains between 1,000 and 1,500 semiconductor chips. For electric vehicles, it’s as many as 3,000 chips. Just like your computer, your vehicle’s features could become outdated and unsupported. How long does your connected car have? Well, it depends.
Off the ‘Wagen
In 2022, Jake Brown bought a 2017 Volkswagen Passat. He knew some Volkswagens had been having trouble with their connected features, but Volkswagen said a fix was coming. He was in for a rude awakening; his Passat runs on 3G, a service AT&T discontinued for VW that same year.
Without connectivity, VW models built between 2014 and 2019 can no longer access smart features, including remote start, antitheft alerts and emergency assistance.
Volkswagen admits they still haven’t found a fix — and buyers aren’t happy. Some Hyundai and Nissan owners lost their smart features in the great 3G death, too.
It’s all about headroom
“Headroom,” of course, means how long your car has before its hardware can’t accept updates. Volkswagen says 4G sunsets won’t happen until 2035. If you have a car with 4G, that gives you 10 more years.
EV manufacturer Rivian says their hardware and software will last roughly seven years, but the right support could extend that estimate beyond the seven-year mark.
What happens after that?
The average age of cars still on the road is 12.6 years. When vehicles lose their ability to update, it’s like a hot potato. Whoever’s left holding the car when the time runs out gets burned, especially when it comes to resale value.
Steer clear
If you’re buying used, pay attention to any vehicles with connected features, especially those manufactured between 2012 and 2019. Here’s a list of all the 3G-equipped cars affected. Nearly every carmaker is listed, but these are the manufacturers without a fix:
Free privacy tool: See what your CAR collects about you
A new car has over 1,400 microchips and runs on 100 million lines of code. Because it is connected, it can also collect a lot of data about you.
Your car is like your phone, computer or tablet now — always listening. What is your vehicle collecting? Way more than we’d all like to think.
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Plus, thousands watch YouTuber Brian Christopher win (or lose) big on slots. I talk to him about how he’s turned this into a big business. All the deets on Hyundai’s anti-theft tech update. Get tips to boost your phone’s battery and snag Amazon deals. And meet iPad winner Ross — he got 100+ referrals to our newsletter, and shares his secret!
EVs are cheap right now: You can score the Hyundai Ioniq 5 for $259 a month or lease a Nissan Leaf for just $20 a month (paywall link). How the heck? Dealer incentives. Leased EVs are classified as “commercial vehicles,” qualifying them for a full $7,500 tax credit, which gets passed on to you.
64% fewer stolen cars
After Kia and Hyundai’s anti-theft software upgrades. The 2023 free update fixed shoddy security measures that made it way too easy to steal the vehicles. Drive one and not sure if you got the update? Call your dealership.
Drive a Hyundai or Kia? More than half a million models pose a fire risk
Is it just us, or are automotive recalls becoming more common? We recently reported on a pair of dangerous recalls that not only affect 140,000 Dodge SUVs but also nearly 60,000 child safety seats from a major manufacturer. You’ll want to check this out.
Kia might owe you money - Here's how to check
Vehicle manufacturer Kia is in damage control mode, and you could be in line for money if you drive a specific model. Hyundai and Kia recently rolled out an anti-theft software patch for about 8 million models.
However, the possible compensation has nothing to do with car thefts. Instead, Kia has agreed to a class-action lawsuit settlement related to anti-lock brake systems (ABS).
This doesn’t make cents: Honda, Hyundai and GM sold driving data for pennies. A letter to the FTC revealed data broker Verisk paid Honda 26 cents per car and Hyundai 61 cents per car. The info was then sold again to auto insurers. Hello, higher premiums. Opt out by going into your infotainment system’s Settings and looking for Data Privacy or Data Usage.
Is your car bricked? Since AT&T killed off 3G over two years ago, owners of 2014 to 2019 Volkswagens with VW Car-Net services have been in analog, so to speak. Without wireless connectivity, they no longer have features like remote start, emergency assistance or antitheft alerts. Volkswagen still doesn’t have a fix, and some 3G-reliant Hyundai and Nissan models are screwed, too. Cars with 4G should have until at least 2035. PSA: Check the connectivity specs before you buy, folks.
🔥 Hot wheels: Millions of 2010 to 2017 Hyundai models, including the Santa Fe and Elantra, and Kia models like the Sportage and Forte are ticking time bombs due to a fire hazard recall. With not enough parts to go around, fixes are delayed until at least June. The current solution? Contact dealers only if you see warning lights or smell smoke. Gee, thanks.
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Plus, I talk to a man who needs a safe space to share photos of his lost loved ones. Also, a 500 thousand vehicle recall for Hyundai and Kia – I reveal why you should park your car on the street for now. Worried about your job post the big AI boom? There’s some exciting news about a new high-paying job that’s emerging. And, I share some pro tips to protect your website with free online tests.
Car thefts are up and these are the models stolen most often
Between 2021 and 2022, car thefts skyrocketed. Some Hyundai and Kia models have a manufacturing flaw that makes them more vulnerable to theft. Tap or click here to learn how to get the fix.
But other models are even bigger targets for car thieves. Read on for a list of the 10 most likely vehicles to be stolen.
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Plus, Kia and Hyundai’s important update to stop car theft. How mail trucks are mapping cell networks all over the nation. And rent your extra space out for some extra cash.
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Nearly 500K older Nissans recalled for a dangerous airbag issue
Nissan is recalling over 400,000 vehicles that are potentially fitted with a dangerous airbag system. This is the second high-profile recall that involves Nissan vehicles in six months, as the company pulled more than 200,000 Titan and Frontier trucks from the roads last year.
Anti-theft software patch available for 8 million Hyundai and Kia models
Viral TikTok videos have shown vulnerabilities in millions of Hyundai and Kia vehicles that have led to many thefts. Several models were sold missing critical anti-theft software. That made it easy for thieves to steal those cars without needing a key. A software patch is finally rolling out to help stop auto thefts.
Millions of pounds of canned meat may be contaminated - Check your cabinets
Canned goods have a much longer shelf life than fresh meat and produce. But if something goes wrong with packaging, it could put your health at risk. That’s precisely what happened recently with over 2.5 million cans of meat and poultry products. A packaging defect could lead to contaminated contents.
Drive a Kia or Hyundai? You might have a hard time getting insurance
Did you know the type of car you drive may impact whether you can get insurance? Like how a smoking habit may affect your health insurance, a lack of safety features might put you in a pickle. If you drive certain Kia or Hyundai vehicles, pay attention. Some insurance companies are refusing these car owners a policy at all.