Trucks were no longer the most stolen cars in America last year; sedans took their place. But a lot of Hyundai and Kia 000270, +1.95% cars being stolen across the country caused the list of thieves’ favorite cars to change.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) is one of two groups that keep track of which cars are stolen the most. The numbers it gives don’t always match up with those from the Highway Loss Data Institute.
There has been a consistent pattern in both for decades: the most common cars are the ones that are stolen the most. Part of the reason for this is just plain luck, and part of the reason is that a lot of stolen cars are taken apart and sold for parts. A lot of people want parts for the most common cars.
The Hyundai/Kia theft wave changed the whole picture.
But 2023 was not like that.
Thieves often went after older Hyundai and Kia cars after videos on social media in late 2021 showed people how to steal them with a screwdriver and a USB cable.
Some Hyundai and Kia base models made after 2015 and after 2011 do not have an engine immobilizer. This common anti-theft device won’t let the car start unless the smart key has the right transponder built in.
Automobiles made by Hyundai and Kia that are older and more expensive often have immobilizers. Every car made by those two companies has one right now.
But thieves know that older models are easy to steal. Another thing they do is break into newer models, but don’t steal them. Instead, they damage the steering columns and windows.
Both companies have put out software fixes and given many owners free anti-theft devices to try to stop the scam. But that doesn’t mean the wave is over.
The NICB says that six of the ten most stolen cars in 2023 were Hyundai or Kia models. The NICB has made this full list:
The 10 most stolen cars of 2023
| Rank | Make/Model | 2023 Thefts |
| 1 | Hyundai Elantra | 48,445 |
| 2 | Hyundai Sonata | 42,813 |
| 3 | Kia Optima | 30,204 |
| 4 | Chevrolet Silverado | 23,721 |
| 5 | Kia Soul | 21,001 |
| 6 | Honda HMC, 1.93% Accord | 20,895 |
| 7 | Honda Civic | 19,858 |
| 8 | Kia Forte | 16,209 |
| 9 | Ford F, -0.10% F-150 | 15,852 |
| 10 | Kia Sportage | 15,749 |
How to protect your car
The NICB recommends that drivers take common-sense steps to protect their cars. They include:
- Roll up your windows, lock your doors, and take the keys or fob.
- Park in well-lit areas and, when possible, areas staffed by security personnel and further protected by surveillance cameras.
- Remove valuables from your car or keep valuables locked in your trunk or out of sight under a rear deck cover.
- Consider adding an immobilizing or tracking device for your vehicle.
If your car is stolen, the bureau says, report it as soon as possible. “Thirty-four percent of recovered stolen vehicles are recovered on the same day as the theft, and 45% are recovered within two days. Reporting the theft to law enforcement also provides a record to show to your insurer,” the NICB explains.
