10 Cars That Thieves Steal More Often Than Any Others

Anyone who’s bought a new car knows just how much of a financial undertaking it can be. After putting so much money into what is often a daily necessity, the last thing you’d want is to find it missing from the parking lot.

Unfortunately, thousands of Americans have had to deal with having a vehicle stolen, and the numbers haven’t gone down. Vehicle theft claims rose 1% from 2022 to 2023, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

The NICB recently released its report of the most stolen vehicles in 2023, and although full-sized pickup trucks used to rank first among the most stolen vehicles, you’ll see just how much that changed in 2023. Two particular brands really took the cake.

So, do you own one of the top stolen vehicle models? Read on to find out.

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10. Kia Sportage

Number of vehicles of this model that were stolen in 2023: 15,749

The Kia Sportage has an alarm and a panic system. It also has an immobilizer, which checks whether or not a key inside the vehicle is valid. If the immobilizer can’t verify the key fob, the vehicle won’t turn on.

But Kia did not have immobilization technology until the 2022 model year. In 2023, Kia released a free software update to include immobilization for consumers with 2011-2021 vehicle models.

9. Ford F150 Series Pickup

Number of vehicles of this model that were stolen in 2023: 15,852

Despite its appearance on this list, the Ford F150 has an anti-theft alarm system to warn of any unauthorized access to the vehicle. The alarm gets triggered if any luggage compartment, hood or door is opened without the key, keyless entry pad or remote control.

8. Kia Forte

Number of vehicles of this model that were stolen in 2023: 16,209

Like the Kia Sportage, the Kia Forte did not come with immobilization technology until 2022. In addition to the free software update Kia offers to vehicles without the anti-theft software, it’s also provided more than 325,000 free steering-column locks to owners.

7. Honda Civic

Number of vehicles of this model that were stolen in 2023: 19,858

Honda’s Immobilizer Theft-Deterrent System gives the ignition key an electronic code that’s “practically impossible” to duplicate.

According to Edmunds, the Honda Civic is prone to occasional false alarms set off by the security system, which can be annoying to owners.

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6. Honda Accord

Number of vehicles of this model that were stolen in 2023: 20,895

One New Jersey dealership provided a list of safety tips to supplement the standard theft-deterrent system Hondas have. Tips include using a steering wheel lock and installing a radio frequency transceiver so that police can track your vehicle if it’s ever stolen.

5. Kia Soul

Number of vehicles of this model that were stolen in 2023: 21,001

The major anti-theft software update from Kia in 2023 was spurred, at least in part, by a social media trend that led to an uptick in thefts. Internet personalities demonstrated how easy it was to steal a Kia by committing the theft in as little as 30 seconds. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the trend resulted in at least 14 reported crashes and eight fatalities.

4. Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Number of vehicles of this model that were stolen in 2023: 23,721

Chevrolet offers several anti-theft features for their vehicles. This includes a steering column lock that engages automatically when turning off and exiting the vehicle, an interior movement sensor and alarm, and glass breakage sensors.

3. Kia Optima

Number of vehicles of this model that were stolen in 2023: 30,204

The Kia Optima stopped being sold by this name in 2021, prior to the change in Kia anti-theft features. The Optima is now known by model name K5.

2. Hyundai Sonata

Number of vehicles of this model that were stolen in 2023: 42,813

Like Kias, pre-2023 Hyundai models have been vulnerable to theft since they have lacked safety features like an electronic immobilizer — despite that feature being relatively standard for other vehicles produced at the time. Vandalism reports shot up between 2022 and 2023 for these vehicles as well, according to the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI).

1. Hyundai Elantra

Number of vehicles of this model that were stolen in 2023: 48,445

Theft rates among Hyundais, and Kias, increased by more than 1,000% between the first half of 2020 and the first half of 2023, according to a report by CNN that highlighted HLDI data. Hyundai also launched an anti-theft software update that added an immobilization feature in early 2023.

If you own a Hyundai and are curious if your vehicle qualifies for a software update, which is provided without charge, you can check your vehicle VIN number on the Hyundai site.