Social media is driving car theft trends for the second year in a row, according to a new National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) report.1 In 2021, Kia and its parent company, Hyundai, didn’t manufacture any of America’s 10 most stolen vehicles. The following year, after a viral Kia Challenge took off on TikTok, one Kia and two Hyundai models were among the top 10 in 2022 — a trend that accelerated in 2023.
The TikTok trend showed viewers how to easily steal Kia and Hyundai models that use a mechanical key. Now, the brands make up more than half of the list, with a special emphasis on Kia models that took up four spots, including the No. 1 most stolen vehicle.
The data science team at Insurify analyzed the 10 vehicles with the highest number of thefts in 2023 to determine why thieves target the models and how that affects car insurance rates. Insurify used proprietary data from more than 97 million quotes to estimate the total number of each model on American roads and calculate the theft rate per 100,000 vehicles.
Key Insights
Six of the 10 most stolen cars in 2023 were Kia and Hyundai models that have a security vulnerability revealed by a TikTok trend that showed viewers how to steal certain models in seconds.The average annual full-coverage insurance rate for the 10 most stolen cars is $2,679 per year — about 6% more than the national average rate of $2,556.Washington, D.C., has the highest car theft rate in the nation, with 1,150 thefts per 100,000 people, according to the NICB. Residents also pay the sixth-highest car insurance rates in the country.Aside from the vulnerable Kia and Hyundai cars, the vehicles with the most thefts — like the Honda Accord, Honda Civic, and Ford F-150 — are among the most common models on U.S. roads.Vehicle thefts increased by about 1%, from 1,008,756 in 2022 to 1,020,729 in 2023, according to the NICB.
The 10 cars thieves are most likely to steal
Thieves target a range of vehicles, from heavy-duty pickups to compact sedans — but in 2023, the effect of TikTok’s Kia challenge was clear.
1. Ford F-150
Vehicles stolen in 2023: 15,852Theft rate per 100K vehicles: 1,815Average annual full-coverage insurance rate: $2,273
Ford pickups regularly land on the NICB’s list of the most stolen vehicles. Ford F-150 trucks manufactured between 2018 and 2020 with a push-button start are susceptible to high-tech attacks. Thieves can use an antenna or receiver to boost the factory key fob signal outside someone’s home and trick the truck into thinking the owner is starting it, also known as a relay attack.
Older F-Series trucks are easier to steal because they have ignition switches under the steering column. The door handles are also easy to unscrew, so thieves can quickly access these vehicles.
2. Hyundai Elantra
Vehicles stolen in 2023: 48,445Theft rate per 100K vehicles: 1,296Average annual full-coverage insurance rate: $3,004
Hyundai is the parent company of Kia Motors. While the viral trend urging TikTok viewers to steal cars is known as the Kia Challenge, thieves also target certain Hyundai models, including the Elantra. Two Hyundai and four Kia models made the latest NICB ranking of the most stolen vehicles, but neither brand cracked the top 10 in 2021.
Hyundai’s February 2023 anti-theft software update benefited Elantra cars manufactured between 2011 and 2022 (including GT, Coupe, and Touring models). However, only about 15% of all owners with susceptible models have the free update installed, so it’s a good idea to check with your dealership to ensure you’re protected.
3. Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Vehicles stolen in 2023: 23,721Theft rate per 100K vehicles: 1,207Average annual full-coverage insurance cost: $2,448
The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is another popular target for car thieves. Full-size Chevy pickups have ranked in the top 10 most stolen vehicles every year since 2016. Car thieves with the right know-how can drive off with a Silverado 1500 in minutes, and the trucks have valuable components that they can strip and resell.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 trucks with keyless entry are susceptible to relay attacks. Car thieves can also hack the vehicle’s built-in OnStar security system.
4. Hyundai Sonata
Vehicles stolen in 2023: 42,813Theft rate per 100K vehicles: 1,060Average annual full-coverage insurance cost: $2,909
Like with the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Elantra, TikTok-inspired car thieves targeted the Hyundai Sonata. Models from 2011 to 2019 are most susceptible to the method of theft promoted by the viral videos.
As part of a settlement, Hyundai Motor America and Kia America made multiple anti-theft upgrades available to the approximately 9 million Hyundai and Kia drivers affected by security flaws. If you own a Hyundai Sonata, you could be eligible for an anti-theft software update and a free steering-wheel lock.
5. Honda Civic
Vehicles stolen in 2023: 19,858Theft rate per 100K vehicles: 921Average annual full-coverage insurance rate: $2,750
The compact and affordable Honda Civic is one of the most popular cars in the U.S., so it’s easier for car thieves to blend in after stealing it. The model’s theft rate could contribute to its 8% higher-than-average insurance costs.
Car thieves often target Honda Civics for parts, but they don’t need to take your whole car to get what they want. Airbag theft is on the rise, according to the NICB, and the Honda Civic and Accord are major targets. Airbags go for $50 to $200 on the black market, but replacing your airbag through a reputable auto repair shop can cost upwards of $1,000.
6. Kia Optima
Vehicles stolen in 2023: 30,204Theft rate per 100K vehicles: 719Average annual full-coverage insurance cost: $2,909
The Kia Optima ranks among the 10 models with the most thefts for the second year in a row, with more than 30,000 thefts in 2023. Like the other frequently stolen Kia and Hyundai cars, the Optima is a target of the Kia Challenge.
Kia released an anti-theft software update for affected models, but with more than 30,000 vehicles stolen in 2023, owners might want to take additional security measures. Steering-wheel locks, security decals, and tracking recovery systems are a few of the theft deterrents the NHTSA recommends.
7. Honda Accord
Vehicles stolen in 2023: 20,895Theft rate per 100K vehicles: 296Average annual full-coverage insurance cost: $2,766
The Honda Accord is one of the most popular cars in the U.S., according to Insurify data, making it difficult for law enforcement to track down the 20,895 stolen in 2023. Car thieves have targeted the Accord for years. Since 2016, the model has continuously made the NICB’s list of 10 models with the most thefts.
In 2022, the 1997 Honda Accord was the most stolen model year. That was also the last model year without anti-theft immobilizer technology. The NICB hasn’t yet released model year data for 2023.
8. Kia Soul
Vehicles stolen in 2023: 21,001Theft rate per 100K vehicles: 271Average annual full-coverage insurance cost: $2,384
The Kia Soul is a subcompact crossover SUV with an affordable price tag and some major security flaws. Any car thief who watches a few #KiaChallenge videos can easily steal 2015 to 2021 model years with a screwdriver and a USB cable.
The 2024 Kia Soul has a smart key feature with a new security measure. The key has a sleep mode that activates 40 seconds after locking the vehicle to prevent relay attacks.
9. Kia Forte
Vehicles stolen in 2023: 16,209Theft rate per 100K vehicles: 263Average annual full-coverage insurance cost: $3,060
As another target of the Kia Challenge, the Kia Forte made the NICB’s list of the 10 most stolen vehicles for the first time in 2023. Kia offered security software upgrades for the Forte’s affected model years — 2011 to 2016 — and is reinforcing the ignition cylinder body on any vehicles that don’t qualify for the software update.
The Kia Forte’s theft rate could contribute to its high insurance rates. Kia Forte drivers pay an average of $3,060 annually for full coverage, compared to $2,566 across all models.
10. Kia Sportage
Vehicles stolen in 2023: 15,749Theft rate per 100K vehicles: 115Average annual full-coverage insurance rate: $2,472
A 2022 viral TikTok challenge showed viewers how to easily steal Kia and Hyundai models that use a mechanical key. A year later, the targeted Kia Sportage had the highest theft rate per 100,000 vehicles. The design flaw was so glaring that the manufacturer settled a class action lawsuit for $200 million to reimburse drivers for theft-related losses.
Fortunately for Kia Sportage drivers, the trend hasn’t significantly affected insurance premiums. Rates for targeted Kia and Hyundai models skyrocketed by 55% between 2020 and 2023, but that’s not much more than the 51% increase for comparable vehicles. Kia Sportage drivers pay an average of $2,472 annually for full coverage — less than the national average of $2,556.
How to reduce your risk of car theft
Car thieves typically go for easy targets. The vehicles in the NICB report share a few similarities. Thieves probably target popular cars, like the Honda Accord, Honda Civic, and Ford F-150, for sheer availability. Common cars are easier to hide from law enforcement and have a better chance of being sold for parts due to high demand.
Some Kia and Hyundai cars with key ignitions have security vulnerabilities that make them easy to steal quickly, so thieves targeted those models. Drivers with new cars should be wary of relay attacks, where criminals trick the keyless entry system into thinking your key fob is near the vehicle, enabling the push-start feature.
Taking a few practical measures can reduce the chance of thieves swiping your car.
Close and lock all windows and doors when you park your car.Don’t leave valuables, like phones, bags, or laptops, in a visible location.Use visual deterrents, like a steering-wheel lock or security decal. Some insurance companies offer discounts for anti-theft devices.If your car has keyless entry, keep the fob in a Faraday pouch or metal tin to block hackers’ signals and prevent relay attacks.Park in well-lit, highly visible areas whenever possible.
If someone steals your vehicle, report it to the police immediately. When you report the theft within 24 hours, cars have a 34% same-day recovery rate, according to the NICB. Comprehensive car insurance offers financial protection if law enforcement can’t track down your car. The good news for drivers is that police recovered more than 85% of stolen vehicles in 2022.
Methodology
The data scientists at Insurify referred to the NICB’s 2023 Most Stolen Vehicles report to determine the 10 most stolen vehicles in the nation. This report includes data on the number of thefts.
To determine how often thieves steal each of the top 10 car models in the United States, Insurify’s data scientists calculated theft rates per 100,000 of each car model. First, they determined the proportion of the 10 most stolen cars’ ownership to all other car models from Insurify’s proprietary database of more than 97 million quotes.
Then, they calculated the total number of the top 10 car models on the road by applying those proportions to the total number of cars in the United States, according to Federal Highway Administration data.2 From these totals, they calculated car theft rates based on the number of thefts for each model.
The cost of insuring each car comes from Insurify’s proprietary database of car insurance applications. The rates in this article represent the average cost for a full-coverage policy among drivers between the ages of 20 and 70 with a clean driving record and average or better credit.
