Hyundai wants loniq 5 customers to pay for cybersecurity patch in baffling move

Confusion Over the “Patch”

• Several commenters note the title is misleading: this isn’t just software, it involves hardware changes to the car’s locking/ignition system.
• Others argue “patch” is still fair because the upgrade mitigates an exploit, regardless of being hardware, software, or both.
• One quote from Hyundai’s press language suggests they see it as an optional “additional security” package, not a defect fix.

Who Should Pay for Security Fixes?

• Many argue that if the factory design allows trivial theft, that’s a product defect, analogous to faulty brakes or locks; the manufacturer should eat the cost.
• Others push back: no lock is perfectly secure; risk varies by country and crime level; you can’t demand free upgrades for every new attack vector forever.
• A minority say £49 / ~$65 is acceptable for extra security on a pricey car; they’d pay but aren’t happy about the principle.
• Comparisons are made to CPUs (Spectre/Meltdown) and old phones: where’s the line between reasonable lifetime support and “free replacements forever”?

Brand, Dealerships, and Buying Decisions

• Several commenters say this move, on top of past Kia/Hyundai security scandals and service issues, takes the brands off their shopping list.
• Others share bad dealership experiences (bait‑and‑switch on lease offers, high service costs), reinforcing distrust.
• A few still praise the Ioniq/EV6 product itself and would pay for the upgrade, but see the decision as short‑sighted PR.

Car Theft, Keyless Entry, and Attack Tools

• Context from Kia Boyz/USB-era flaws: earlier Hyundai/Kia designs were “embarrassingly” easy to steal, sometimes with basic tools.
• Keyless entry is identified as a major vector; some models don’t let owners permanently disable it.
• The “Gameboy-like” device is described as a specialized, expensive tool (around $20k), not just a Flipper Zero, though concepts are similar.
• One owner reports having two Ioniq 5s stolen via keyless hacks and is done with the brand.

Regulation, Insurance, and Liability

• Discussion of UK context: high car-theft rates, vehicles rapidly exported via containers.
• Some wonder if insurers will treat the upgrade as mandatory, or blame owners for remaining “unpatched.”
• A commenter cites UN Regulations 155/156: in many countries, manufacturers must provide free fixes for safety/cybersecurity issues; Hyundai’s stance might be challengeable legally.

Desire for Simpler, Less Connected EVs

• Many express a wish for “dumb” EVs: minimal software, no complex infotainment, critical systems air‑gapped.
• Examples like Slate, Telo, VW e‑Up, Dacia Spring, Microlino are mentioned as closer to this ideal, though often constrained by mandates like eCall and backup-camera rules.
• Skepticism remains about whether there’s a large enough mainstream market for such stripped‑down vehicles.