Viral TikToks helped Hyundai and Kia dominate the list of America's most stolen cars

Sun, 05/19/2024 - 06:48

The National Insurance Crime Bureau released their list of the most stolen cars in America for 2023.
Hyundai and Kia models took six of the top 10 spots in the insurance industry trade group's list.
Models from Chevrolet, Ford, and Honda also made the top 10.

Hyundai and Kia dominate the National Insurance Crime Bureau's list of the most stolen cars in America.

Vehicles made by the South Korean sibling automakers account for six of the top 10 spots on the insurance industry trade organization's list, which was compiled based on vehicle thefts in 2023 and published in May.

The compact Hyundai Elantra took the top spot, with more than 48,000 vehicles stolen, 2.5 times the number stolen in 2022.

The midsize Hyundai Sonata sedan finished in second with nearly 43,000 stolen, roughly double the number in 2022.

The Kia Optima came in third on the list with 30,000 vehicle thefts, up from 18,200 in 2022. Kia's Soul, Forte, and Sportage also make the list.

The full-size Ford F-Series and Chevrolet Silverado pickup trucks that topped the list in previous years fell behind the Korean contingent.

Thefts of Kia and Hyundai vehicles surged in recent years as TikTok videos exposed the lack of an immobilizer in many models. The wave prompted the automakers to issue free wheel locks and software updates to help combat the issue. No Hyundai or Kia models made the top 10 of the NICB list in the 3 years prior to 2022.

According to the NICB, there was a 1% increase nationally in auto theft claims in 2023. However, the organization noted that over 85% of vehicles reported stolen are eventually recovered, with 34% located within a day.

Here's a closer look at America's 10 most stolen vehicles in 2023, according to NICB.

10. Kia Sportage