Vehicle thefts have increased in the United States over the past four years, with more than one million cars stolen in 2023 alone, but two specific vehicle makes and models contributed the most to that number.
Driving around in a Hyundai Elantra, Hyundai Sonata or Kia Optima increases the risk of your vehicle being stolen, according to data collected by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), a nonprofit organization focused on combating insurance fraud and crime.
These three vehicles accounted for 11.8 percent of the total number of vehicles stolen last year, also driven by a 2022 TikTok trend of people showing how to jump-start cars using USB cables.
Three more Kia models have been added to the list, along with other frequently stolen vehicles.
Here are the 10 most frequently stolen vehicles and why they are on the list.
Most likely to go
While Kia and Hyundai are the vehicles most at risk of being stolen, vehicles such as the Honda Civic, Honda Accord, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Ford F150 Series Pickup also ranked in the top 10.
For the last five years, these four vehicles have consistently ranked in the top five most stolen vehicle models.
Historically, pickup trucks have had the highest theft rates because they are easily spotted on the road and can be sold for a profitable price due to their size and versatility.
But the high theft rate of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Ford F-150 Series Pickup can also be attributed to their ubiquity: They are the two best-selling vehicles in the country. Car and Driver.
Similarly, the Honda Accord and Civic models are among the top 20 most popular cars, making them easy targets for thieves.
Patrick Clancy, vice president of law enforcement for LoJack Corporation, a company that makes stolen vehicle recovery systems, told ABC News that the prevalence of these vehicles means they are involved in more accidents or need repairs.
In addition, since the parts of similar model vehicles are mostly the same, even identical, thieves can make a lot of money by selling the vehicle for spare parts.
What’s unique about the 2023 list is how quickly Kia and Hyundai entered the list and then took the top three spots, outpacing other vehicles that usually hold those spots.
Why are Kia and Hyundai at the top of the list?
Older, stripped-down models of Hyundais and Kias lack basic security features like immobilizers, which prevent cars from starting unless the key fob is detected. People realized that the missing feature made it easier to steal cars, and used it to achieve internet fame.
Videos circulating on TikTok showed people stealing cars, teaching others how to do it, and then going for joy rides. As more videos went viral, an official challenge called the “Kia Challenge” emerged, encouraging others to steal the cars and post them online.
The impact of the social media craze is palpable.
Kias and Hyundais were not on the most stolen list in 2021, but by 2023 they had risen rapidly to take first, second, third, fifth, eighth and tenth places.
However, after this significant increase and tragic car accidents involving stolen vehicles, the issue became widely known.
At least eight people have died in accidents involving people scamming stolen Kia and Hyundai vehicles since 2022.
In October 2022, four teenagers, ages 14 to 19, were killed in a crash while driving a stolen Kia Sportage in Buffalo, New York.
A man died after being hit by a teenager driving a stolen Kia Optima in Franklin County, Ohio.
And earlier this year in Indianapolis, a teenager driving a stolen Kia Sedona SUV killed another driver.
Last April, attorneys general of 18 states sent a letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requesting a recall for Hyundai and Kia vehicles that do not have immobilizers or push-button start.
“We will continue to work with law enforcement agencies across the country to combat vehicle theft and the role of social media in encouraging it, and we are fully committed to supporting our customers and vehicle safety,” a Kia spokesperson said.
Hyundai said its vehicles are “fully compliant with federal anti-theft requirements” but that it has taken steps to support its customers’ safety. Hyundai said IndependentRequest comments before publishing.
Hyundai and Kia last year offered a free, optional anti-theft software update for some drivers to combat the issue of stolen vehicles. The update programmed the cars to remain locked until the key fob was detected. Kia is also providing steering wheel locks to drivers of affected cars at no charge.
Both automakers have reached a settlement in a class-action lawsuit filed by owners of makes and models that lack immobilizers or push-button ignition systems.
What can be done?
Vehicle owners and industry leaders are demanding that automakers install better security measures for their vehicles to prevent such thefts.
“From keyless entry attacks to relay attacks on key fobs, perpetrators are exploiting vulnerabilities in modern vehicle security measures with alarming success rates,” NICB President and CEO David Glawe said in a statement.
The NCIB recommends drivers park in well-lit areas, close and lock all doors, keep valuables out of sight and keep your keys with you when leaving your vehicle.
The organization says that if you believe your vehicle has been stolen, you should contact your local law enforcement agency and report it stolen. More than 85% of vehicles reported stolen are recovered.