The Oakland County Sheriff's Office confirmed a spike in Kia vehicle thefts in the south end of the county, an area that includes Novi and Northville.

Spokesperson Tyler Sweers said the office is "seeing a small spike" in Kia thefts in south Oakland County, C&G Newspapers reported Friday, Sept. 4. Sweers said Kias have long been a target for break-ins and theft, particularly involving juveniles.

The Kia Soul is the top target. Many older Souls with standard turnkey ignitions lack engine immobilizers, a feature that prevents the engine from starting without the correct key. Kia America has offered a free software update and steering wheel locks to close the gap. The company said it rolled the fix out to all local dealers more than three years ago.

The Kia Soul ranked 10th nationally among stolen vehicles in the first half of 2025, with 4,380 thefts, according to Insurify citing National Insurance Crime Bureau data. Thefts of the model were on track for a 35% drop by the end of 2025 compared to 2024, attributed to the security upgrades.

The trend is not new locally. In September 2024, the Northville Township Police Department warned residents about a separate wave of vehicle thefts and break-ins. Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police Scott Hilden said at the time that detectives had been working the cases since August 2024 and urged residents to remove valuables and key fobs from parked cars.

Authorities across the region are promoting the "9 p.m. routine," a nightly checklist that started in Florida in 2017. The steps: lock all vehicle doors, remove valuables and key fobs, and park in well-lit areas or a garage whenever possible.

Residents who see suspicious activity should call their local police department.