Full-size pickup trucks are no longer the most-stolen vehicle in the U.S. In the wake of the 2023 vehicle theft spate of Hyundais and Kias, models from those two automakers took the top three spots in a new report from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), an insurance industry group dedicated to preventing and prosecuting insurance crime and fraud. The report has the latest data available.
“These rankings highlight the persistent threat of vehicle theft across the country,” says David J. Glawe, NICB president and CEO. “NICB works with law enforcement agencies and industry partners to deploy advanced technologies and strategies to combat vehicle theft from organized criminal networks and individuals.”
Most-stolen cars in America
Beyond Kia and Hyundai models, included on this list are full-size pickups and mid-size cars such as the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Honda Accord, Honda Civic and Ford F-150 Series Pickup.
More than 85% of stolen passenger vehicles were eventually recovered by law enforcement or other means, with 34% recovered within a day of being reported stolen. Below is a table of the most-stolen vehicle make/models in 2023.
| Rank | Make/Model | 2023 thefts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hyundai Elantra | 48,445 |
| 2 | Hyundai Sonata | 42,813 |
| 3 | Kia Optima | 30,204 |
| 4 | Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 23,721 |
| 5 | Kia Soul | 21,001 |
| 6 | Honda Accord | 20,895 |
| 7 | Honda Civic | 19,858 |
| 8 | Kia Forte | 16,209 |
| 9 | Ford F1-50 Series Pickup | 15,852 |
| 10 | Kia Sportage | 15,749 |
Most stolen cars by state
Car thefts are more likely in some states than others. As you might expect, the biggest states tend to have the largest number of car thefts, although some smaller states also see high numbers of thefts.
According to the NICB, these are the 10 states with the most stolen cars:
| Rank | State | Number of stolen cars |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 208,668 |
| 2 | Texas | 115,013 |
| 3 | Florida | 46,213 |
| 4 | Washington | 43,160 |
| 5 | Illinois | 41,528 |
| 6 | Colorado | 34,068 |
| 7 | New York | 32,715 |
| 8 | Ohio | 31,647 |
| 9 | Georgia | 28,171 |
| 10 | Missouri | 27,279 |
Metro areas with the most stolen vehicles
The Los Angeles/Long Beach Core-Based Statistical Area, or CBSA, had the greatest number of auto thefts in 2023 at 72,460. The next region was the San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley area — also in California — with 40,977 vehicle thefts in 2023, according to the NICB. See which cities rounded out the top 10 in the table below.
| Rank | Core-Based Statistical Areas (CBSA) | 2023 thefts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 72,460 |
| 2 | San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | 40,977 |
| 3 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | 36,272 |
| 4 | Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | 35,119 |
| 5 | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 34,135 |
| 6 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | 33,596 |
| 7 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 31,328 |
| 8 | Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | 24,489 |
| 9 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 24,119 |
| 10 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 23,339 |
Emerging auto theft trends and criminal tactics
Several car-theft trends have emerged in recent years that put your vehicle at increased risk of being stolen, such as technology-driven vehicle thefts and the continued targeting of Hyundai/Kia models.
But some states are taking steps to fight back against auto theft.
Technology-driven vehicle thefts
The NICB notes that the use of technology is playing a more significant role in car theft.
For example, some thieves use a “relay attack” to steal the signal between a car’s key fob and the vehicle. This typically happens when the crook uses a device that intercepts the signal and transmits it to a thief near the car.
One way to lower the risk of a relay attack is to store your key fob in a metal container or a metal wire bag known as a Faraday cage. A low-tech version of this approach is to wrap the fob in aluminum foil.
Keeping the key fob deep in your house—and as far away from the vehicle as possible—can also help.
“Code grabbing” is another technological approach thieves use to steal cars. When a car’s owner clicks the key fob to lock the car door, thieves can use a device to steal the radio frequency and copy the code.
The continued targeting of Hyundai and Kia models
During the COVID-19 pandemic, viral social media posts showed how easy it is to steal some Hyundai and Kia models by removing the steering column cover and using a makeshift key to start the car.
The automakers responded to such thefts by releasing a software upgrade for about two dozen 2011-22 Hyundai and Kia models.
The software prevents vehicles from starting unless the owner’s key – or an exact duplicate – is in the ignition.
Last August, research from the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) showed that vehicles with the upgrade had 53% fewer theft claims than vehicles without the upgrade.
“The companies’ solution is extremely effective,” says Matt Moore, senior vice president of HLDI. “If you own a Hyundai or Kia vehicle without an electronic immobilizer, you should call your local dealer about getting the software upgrade today.”
However, HDLI notes that theft claims for Hyundai and Kia vehicles are still high, even for models that have the new software. One reason for the continued trend of thefts is that the immobilizer only activates if the driver remembers to lock the vehicle with a fob instead of using the switch on the door handle.
How states are fighting auto theft
Several states are taking steps to try to curb auto theft rates.
In 2023, Colorado strengthened penalties related to auto theft, even for vehicles with relatively low values. From 2021 to 2023, New Jersey introduced more than four dozen theft-related legislative bills.
Wisconsin changed the penalty for carjacking from a Class C to Class B felony when the criminal has a weapon and threatens force. Mississippi and Louisiana also have increased minimum penalties for carjacking to up to 10 years.
Some of these efforts are met with success. For example, car theft fell sharply in Colorado in 2024.
Some states also have long-standing programs designed to address auto theft. For example, Minnesota’s Automobile Theft Prevention Grant Program has a decades-long history of collecting a surcharge from auto insurers that is then used to fund activities intended to reduce auto theft.
Colorado instituted a similar program – the Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority (CATPA) – in 2008.
How drivers can protect their vehicles in 2025
It’s essential to know how to prevent car theft. The NICB recommends several best practices, including the following:
- Keep your doors locked at all times.
- Completely close all windows.
- Don’t leave your vehicle running and unattended.
- Always remove your keys from the ignition, and avoid keeping a spare key anywhere near your car.
- Park in well-illuminated areas.
- Use a visible or audible deterrent device, such as a car alarm, steering column collar, steering wheel/brake pedal lock, wheel locks, window etching, micro dot marking or theft deterrent stickers.
- Employ a vehicle immobilizer, such as a smart key, kill switch, starter/ignition/fuel disabler, fuse cutoff, and wireless ignition authentication.
- Install a tracking system that sends a signal to a monitoring service or law enforcement if the automobile is reported stolen.
- Don’t store your vehicle’s title or valuables in your car.
- When parked on an incline, turn your wheels toward the curb or another obstruction, which makes it more difficult for bad actors to tow your vehicle away.
What to do if your vehicle is stolen
This past year, the nation saw another increase in car thefts. Vehicle theft claims rose 1% from 2022 to 2023. Take the following steps if your vehicle is stolen:
- Report your vehicle as stolen immediately to police. Reporting the theft to law enforcement provides a record for your insurer.
- Report your stolen vehicle to your insurer. Insurers might need a police report before honoring a claim.
- Be prepared to provide important vehicle information. Provide the make/model of the vehicle, color, license plate number and the VIN to the police.
- File a claim. You can file a stolen vehicle report to your insurer over the phone, online or directly with your insurance agent.
According to the NICB, 34% of recovered stolen vehicles are recovered on the same day as the theft, and 45% are recovered within two days, so reporting your vehicle as stolen is essential.
“Even as we work to deter crime, it is crucial for owners to remain vigilant and take proactive measures to protect their vehicles,” Glawe says.
Can car thefts affect your car insurance rates?
Yes. Many factors go into calculating car insurance rates, including the number and severity of claims for your ZIP code and type of car you drive. That means that if you own a model that thieves favor, statistics show you will pay higher premiums, regardless of whether you have ever had a car stolen.
If your car is stolen, you’re not covered for theft unless you have bought comprehensive insurance coverage, which pays for physical damage losses resulting from incidents other than collisions.
Anti-theft device discounts can save you money on car insurance
Making your vehicle a challenging car to steal can reduce your chances of theft and your car insurance premiums. Using anti-theft devices keeps your car safe and results in premium discounts. Insurance companies typically offer car insurance discounts of 1-2% for anti-theft devices.
Looking ahead: What to expect in 2025 and beyond
As 2025 unfolds, you can expect a few auto theft trends to continue. For example, the NICB noted last fall that stolen vehicles continue being exported from the U.S. to other countries.
Organized crime is often behind these thefts. The NICB is now working with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to prevent stolen vehicles from being smuggled out of seaports.
Owners of Kia and Hyundai vehicles also will likely need to remain on guard, as models from those automakers remain prime targets for thieves.
In 2023, thefts of Kia, Hyundai and Honda models were high enough to displace full-size pickup trucks from the top of the “most stolen” list.
Finally, the overall trend of auto thefts might continue to rise. According to the NICB, theft rates hit a record of more than 1.02 million in 2003. Rates have steadily risen since 2019. Numbers for 2024 are not yet available.
The NICB notes that thieves are using increasingly sophisticated methods to steal cars. That means drivers must remain more vigilant than ever if they want to keep their vehicles safe.
Resources & Methodology
Sources
- Colorado State Patrol Department of Public Safety. “Colorado auto theft laws are changing.” Accessed March 2025.
- Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute. “Anti-theft software tamps down viral theft trend targeting Hyundai, Kia vehicles.” Accessed March 2025.
- Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. “Automobile theft prevention program.” Accessed March 2025.
- National Insurance Crime Bureau. “Vehicle thefts surge nationwide in 2023.” Accessed March 2025.
- National Insurance Crime Bureau. “New Report: Imports top list for America’s most stolen vehicles.” Accessed March 2025.
— Mark Vallet contributed to this story.
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