Hyundai and Kia Respond to Viral TikTok Challenge with Massive Software Update on Millions of Vehicles

In a world where social media challenges have become commonplace, automakers Hyundai and Kia have been forced to update the software on millions of their vehicles due to a viral TikTok challenge. The challenge involved users turning on their car’s ignition and then turning it off three times quickly, causing the car’s lights to flash in a specific pattern. While this may seem harmless, it has caused some vehicles to stall, leading to concerns about safety and the need for a software update.

The Viral TikTok Challenge

The TikTok challenge, known as the “trunk challenge” or “ghost challenge,” went viral on the popular social media app in late 2021. The challenge involved users turning on their car’s ignition and then turning it off three times quickly, causing the car’s lights to flash in a specific pattern. The challenge was designed to create the illusion of a ghostly figure appearing in the car’s trunk when viewed through the rearview mirror.

However, some users soon discovered that the challenge caused their vehicles to stall, leading to concerns about safety and the need for a software update. The issue was first reported by a TikTok user who claimed that their 2016 Hyundai Tucson had stalled after attempting the challenge.

The Software Update

In response to the issue, Hyundai and Kia have been forced to issue a software update for millions of their vehicles. The software update will prevent the car’s lights from flashing in the specific pattern that was causing the stalling issue. The update is being offered free of charge to all affected vehicle owners, and can be performed at a dealership or by downloading the software onto a USB drive and updating the car’s software at home.

The software update is an important step in ensuring the safety of drivers and passengers of Hyundai and Kia vehicles. While the TikTok challenge may seem harmless, it has the potential to cause serious harm if it causes a vehicle to stall while driving.

Lessons Learned

This incident highlights the potential risks of social media challenges and the need for automakers to ensure that their vehicles are secure against these types of viral trends. Automakers must consider the potential consequences of these challenges and work to ensure that their vehicles are protected against them.

This incident also highlights the importance of software updates in the modern automotive industry. As vehicles become more complex and rely more on software, regular updates are necessary to ensure that they remain safe and secure. Automakers must ensure that their customers are aware of the need for updates and make it easy for them to access and install them.

Conclusion

The viral TikTok challenge that caused Hyundai and Kia to update the software on millions of their vehicles highlights the potential risks of social media challenges and the importance of software updates in the modern automotive industry. While this incident may seem relatively harmless, it has the potential to cause serious harm if it causes a vehicle to stall while driving. Automakers must be vigilant in ensuring that their vehicles are secure against these types of viral trends and must make it easy for their customers to access and install software updates.