According to a report from the National Insurance Crime Bureau, two Hyundai models and one Kia model were the most stolen vehicles in America last year. The Hyundai Elantra, Hyundai Sonata, and Kia Optima were the top three most stolen vehicles, with theft numbers exceeding 30,000 for each model. Additionally, six of the top 10 most stolen vehicles were Hyundai and Kia models, including the Kia Soul, Kia Forte, and Kia Sportage, as well as the Honda Accord, Honda Civic, and Ford F-150 pickup.
The raw numbers of police-reported thefts are gathered through the National Crime Information Center and are not adjusted for the population of a certain model on the road. This means that some vehicles may be more commonly stolen simply because there are more of them available to steal. The theft of older Hyundai and Kia models has increased significantly since 2020, with certain pre-2023 models being particularly vulnerable due to lacking basic auto theft prevention technologies such as electronic immobilizers.
Earlier this year, Hyundai and Kia agreed to a $200 million settlement with up to 9 million vehicle owners to settle claims that the automakers didn’t do enough to make the vehicles secure. This settlement included payments for stolen and damaged vehicles, installation of anti-theft software, and other theft-preventative measures. Both Hyundai and Kia have taken comprehensive action to enhance the security of their vehicles and prevent criminals from using theft methods popularized on social media.
Hyundai and Kia operate as separate companies in the United States, but Hyundai Motor Group owns a large stake in Kia, and various Hyundai and Kia models share much of their engineering. More recent models from these automakers are less vulnerable to theft. Kia has installed anti-theft software on more than 1.1 million vehicles nationwide and provides free steering wheel locks for vehicles that are not able to accept the software. Hyundai has retroactively added anti-theft measures to 1.3 million of its vehicles.
The Highway Loss Data Institute reported that less expensive versions of older Hyundai and Kia models, equipped with turn-key ignitions, are approximately twice as likely to be stolen as other vehicles of a similar age. These vehicles may lack electronic immobilizers that confirm the key is authentic and belongs to the vehicle. Techniques to steal these cars have spread through social media channels, making them top targets for car thieves.
In conclusion, the top stolen vehicles last year were Hyundai and Kia models, with older versions of these cars being particularly vulnerable to theft due to lacking basic auto theft prevention technologies. Hyundai and Kia have taken steps to enhance the security of their vehicles and prevent theft, including installing anti-theft software and other preventative measures. While these models may still be at risk, the companies are working to address the issue and make their vehicles more secure against theft.
