Hyundai and Kia Models Dominate US Auto Theft Rankings in the Past Year

Hyundai and Kia vehicles have emerged as the most-targeted models for theft in the United States, with two Hyundai models and one Kia model ranking as the top three most stolen vehicles last year, according to a report from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).

The NICB report revealed that Hyundai Elantra compact cars were stolen over 48,000 times, followed by Hyundai Sonata sedans with nearly 43,000 thefts, and Kia Optima sedans with more than 30,000 thefts. These figures significantly surpassed theft numbers for other popular models like the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 pickup, which recorded about 24,000 thefts.

Remarkably, six out of the top 10 most-stolen vehicles in the US last year were Hyundai and Kia models, including the Kia Soul, Kia Forte, and Kia Sportage, alongside models from Honda, Ford, and Chevrolet.

Experts attribute the vulnerability of older Hyundai and Kia models to certain design features, such as turn-key ignitions, which lack advanced anti-theft technologies like electronic immobilizers found in newer vehicles. The absence of these security features has made older Hyundai and Kia models prime targets for car thieves, resulting in a surge in thefts over recent years.

Reports from the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) indicate that thefts of older Hyundai and Kia models increased dramatically by 1,000% since 2020, prompting concerns over the lack of adequate security measures in these vehicles. Techniques for stealing these cars have proliferated through social media channels, leading to a rise in vandalism insurance claims on damaged vehicles following failed theft attempts.

In response to these challenges, Hyundai and Kia have taken steps to enhance vehicle security, including a $200 million settlement agreement with vehicle owners to address theft-related concerns. Both automakers have retroactively installed anti-theft software in over 1 million vehicles nationwide and provided additional theft-prevention measures, such as steering wheel locks.

Acknowledging the severity of the issue, Kia spokesman James Bell emphasized the company’s commitment to enhancing vehicle security to deter criminal activity and safeguard vehicle owners from theft attempts. Meanwhile, Hyundai has implemented various anti-theft measures in over 1.3 million vehicles, underscoring the industry’s efforts to address the growing threat of auto theft.