Kias, Hyundais Displace Trucks as Most Stolen
Top 10 list for 2023 dominated by South Korean models targeted for ease of theft.

The Hyundai Elantra topped all other stolen models last year in the U.S. with 48,445 reported taken, according to the NICB.
Hyundai
Sedans, led by Kias and Hyundais, topped the list of the most stolen vehicles in the U.S. last year, replacing full-size pickups.
A rash of thefts of 2011 to 2022 Kias and Hyundais was fueled in part by social media how-tos on how to lift the models, which lack standard antitheft technology.
The thefts led hundreds of insurers and many U.S. cities to sue the South Korean carmakers, which last year settled with a class of about nine million vehicle owners between them. The brands also offered software upgrades and low-technology remedies, such as steering wheel locks, to owners.
Kia and Hyundai models make up six of the top 10 stolen vehicles, including the top three spots, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau.
The thefts trend interrupted years of full-size trucks leading the list of stolen vehicles, said the organization, whose research shows vehicle theft increased 1% year-over-year.
It said it’s coordinating automaker efforts to pinpoint frequently stolen models in order to reduce theft, as well as scuttle criminal networks.
Two pickups made the top 10 stolen list: the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, fourth ranked at nearly 24,000 thefts, and the Ford F-150, in ninth place at almost 16,000 thefts. The Hyundai Elantra had the most reported thefts at more than 48,000. Rounding out the top 10 were the Honda Accord and Civic in the sixth and seventh spots with around 20,000 thefts each.
The good news is that 85% of passenger vehicles reported stolen are recovered, the bureau said.
DIG DEEPER: Clouds From the West
Originally posted on Auto Dealer Today
More Industry

Kia Closes Out Summer With a Bang
Its U.S. subsidiary broke multiple records in August, in part due to a surge of demand for hybrids models.
Read More →
Indiana Dealership Changes Hands
A 30-year-old Ford dealership in Indiana has a new owner and will soon be undergoing renovations to meet manufacturer requirements.
Read More →
Texas Dealership No Longer in the Family
The Ford store, a longtime cornerstone of the Houston market, is now part of one of the fastest-growing U.S. auto groups.
Read More →
Genesis Grows California Presence
The Cardinale Automotive Group opened its third Genesis rooftop in the Golden State, Genesis of San Bruno, a stand-alone dealership serving the San Francisco Bay Area.
Read More →
August Auto Sales a Mixed Bag
An early forecast shows strong business despite consumer hurdles, and hybrids are a big piece of their affordability coping strategy.
Read More →
EV Market Humming Along
July sales show steady growth as the segment stabilizes from last year’s artificial surge following pullback of federal support.
Read More →
Auto Loan Delinquency Rates Stabilize
Auto loans are a main driver of nonmortgage consumer debt, but delinquency rates stabilized in the second quarter across all credit risk tiers.
Read More →
EV Sales Recover in Q2
The EV sales roller coaster continues as numbers show improvement, but industry experts predict a year-over-year third-quarter decline and fourth-quarter jump.
Read More →
The Cheapest Hybrids to Fuel
The powertrain is increasing in popularity, in no small part due to its fuel economy. A new report lists the most efficient hybrids on the market.
Read More →
Hybrids and SUVs Gaining Ground
The most recent Kelley Blue Book Brand Watch found that only two nonluxury brands increased in shopper consideration, buoyed by their hybrid and SUV offerings.
Read More →