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 makes/models in 2023
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 F150 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 F150 Series Pickup | 15,852 |
| 10 | Kia Sportage | 15,749 |
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 |
How to protect your vehicle from theft
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 vehicle.
- Park in well-illuminated areas.
- Use a visible or audible deterrent device, including a car alarm, steering column collar, steering wheel/brake pedal lock, wheel locks, window etching, micro dot marking, and 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 as 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 to show to 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, as well as the vehicle’s VIN number to the police.
- File a claim: The process for filing a stolen vehicle report to your insurer could be over the phone, online or directly to 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 stolen car statistics show is favored by thieves, you will pay higher premiums, regardless of whether you have ever had a car stolen or not.
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.
Best anti-theft devices for vehicles in 2024
Anti-theft device discounts can save you money on car insurance
Making your vehicle one of the hardest cars to steal can reduce your chances for theft and reduce your car insurance premiums. Using anti-theft devices not only keeps your car safe but also results in premium discounts. Insurance companies typically offer car insurance discounts of up 1-2% for anti-theft devices.
Resources & Methodology
Sources
National Insurance Crime Bureau. “Vehicle Thefts Surge Nationwide in 2023.” Accessed July 2024.
National Insurance Crime Bureau. “New Report: Imports Top List for America’s Most Stolen Vehicles.” Accessed July 2024.
— Mark Vallet contributed to this story.
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