Summary
- Hyundai Elantra is probably the most stolen automotive in America for 2023, topping the listing with 48,445 thefts.
- Hyundai and Kia fashions are common amongst thieves because of their ease of theft, missing immobilizer tech.
- Property crime is on the rise, impacting everybody with increased retail costs and insurance coverage premiums.
Vehicle thefts have been on a downtrend for the reason that highs of the early 2000s, however for the reason that COVID-19 pandemic, they’re on the rise once more. 2022 noticed that quantity hit the a million mark and 2023 topped that with 1,020,729 stolen autos within the U.S. There are many the explanation why thieves increase automobiles like parting them out, for black market export, to commit different crimes, or simply joyriding. There are additionally a number of the explanation why some fashions are focused greater than others, however the widespread thread appears to be how straightforward they’re to steal.
Certain fashions are interesting to criminals as a result of they’ve extra worth, or in-demand components, however in relation to snatching a short lived set of wheels, those which can be best to jack are the preferred. For 2023, probably the most stolen car in America was the Hyundai Elantra, and lots of the high 10 fashions are from the Korean automaker and its sister firm Kia. In a bizarre sort of method, this means that Hyundai and Kia are doing effectively within the American market, as their autos are gaining in recognition, however this can be a high 10 listing that no automaker needs to be on.
In order to provide the latest and correct info doable, the info used to compile this text was sourced from numerous producer web sites and different authoritative sources, together with the National Insurance Crime Bureau, CNN, and The LA Times.
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The Hyundai Elantra Is America’s Most Stolen Ride
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, 48,445 Hyundai Elantras have been stolen in 2023, making it probably the most boosted nameplate in America. At quantity two on the listing is the Hyundai Sonata, with 42,813 stolen final yr, and the Kia Optima hit third spot with 30,204 thefts, giving Korean automobiles this doubtful trifecta. It will get even worse as a result of the Kia Soul, Forte, and Sportage additionally made the listing, which means six out of the highest ten most stolen fashions belong to Hyundai and its Kia division.
Most Stolen Vehicles for 2023
- Hyundai Elantra – 48,445
- Hyundai Sonata – 42,813
- Kia Optima – 30,204
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500 – 23,721
- Kia Soul – 21,001
- Honda Accord – 20,895
- Honda Civic – 19,858
- Kia Forte – 16,209
- Ford F-Series – 15,852
- Kia Sportage – 15,749
This comes as fairly a shock, as a result of Hyundais and Kias barely registered on the 2022 most stolen autos listing, with the Elantra at quantity six. That yr, 19,602 Elantras have been stolen, so the variety of the favored Hyundai sedans stolen has greater than doubled.
Company-wide, Hyundai offered 117,177 Elantras in 2022 and moved 134,149 models within the U.S. for 2023, which suggests there are extra of those automobiles on the market, but it surely’s uncertain that abundance is the explanation why they’re so regularly stolen. Before 2022, no Hyundai or Kia mannequin made the highest ten listing, pointing to a current phenomenon.
The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is Dethroned
Prior to 2023, full-size vehicles have been probably the most stolen autos within the U.S. The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 got here in at primary, with 49,903 thefts, and the Ford F-Series pickups were as close behind with 48,175 gone. The GMC Sierra was quantity 6 on the listing, making full-size pickups the probably autos to be stolen in 2022. Fast-forward to this yr, and vehicles appeared to have fallen out of favor with thieves because the quantity dropped by virtually two-thirds. In 2022, there have been 114,700 Chevy/Ford/GMc vehicles stolen, whereas in 2023 it was simply 39,573.
A Great Prelude for Honda
Another beneficiary of the current Hyundai theft pattern is Honda, which for a few years was probably the most stolen automotive model. In 2022, the Honda Civic, Accord, and CR-V all made the highest ten most stolen fashions, however in 2023 solely the Civic and Accord made the listing. The 40,763 Civics and Accords stolen final yr pale compared to the 174,421 Hyundai/Kia autos that have been boosted. There is clearly one thing at work to propel the Hyundai Elantra to the highest of the listing, when it wasn’t even on thieves’ radar two years in the past.
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Why So Many Hyundai and Kia Models Are Stolen
Both Hyundai and Kia fashions are budget-friendly and kind of modest-looking so it is not like they’re high-end rides that convey high greenback on the black market, so there must be another excuse why they get boosted a lot. It seems the reply is, they’re very easy to steal. Most of the auto business adopted “immobilizer” expertise that forestalls a car from beginning with a key or fob that does not match. Most Hyundais and Kias lack an immobilizer, so with a few instruments and a USB cable, anybody can get them to show over.
In 2022, a gaggle calling themselves the Kia Boyz posted a video on social media demonstrating how straightforward it’s to steal a Kia. By 2023, it turned an Internet sensation, which developed right into a Tik Tok problem, for folks to steal a Hyundai or Kia after which movie themselves joyriding of their boosted prize. It’s sort of like when dopey children have been consuming Tide Pods, however this newest craze is a felony. 96 p.c of different automakers’ autos have immobilizers, whereas simply 26 p.c of Hyundais and Kias do.
Hyundai Motor Group Gets Sued
CNN reported that in 2023 Progressive and State Farm, two of the most important insurers within the nation, stopped issuing insurance policies on choose Hyundai and Kia fashions in cities the place theft was most rampant. Then, the Hyundai Motor Group, mother or father firm of Hyundai Motor America and Kia America, had a category motion lawsuit filed towards them, alleging that the corporate was negligent in not making their autos extra theft-proof. Hyundai settled the go well with to the tune of $145 million, with anybody who leased or owned a 2011 to 2022 Hyundai/Kia mannequin, that was stolen, eligible for a bit.
Models Covered in Class Action Lawsuit
- Hyundai 2011-2022 Accent
- Hyundai 2011-2022 Elantra
- Hyundai 2013-2020 Elantra GT
- Hyundai 2013-2014 Elantra Coupe
- Hyundai 2011-2012 Elantra Touring
- Hyundai 2011-2014 Genesis Coupe
- Hyundai 2018-2022 Kona
- Hyundai 2020-2021 Palisade
- Hyundai 2011-2022 Santa Fe
- Hyundai 2013-2018 Santa Fe Sport
- Hyundai 2019 Santa Fe XL
- Hyundai 2011-2019 Sonata
- Hyundai 2011-2022 Tucson
- Hyundai 2012-2017, 2019-2021 Veloster
- Hyundai 2020-2021 Venue
- Hyundai 2011-2012 Veracruz
- Kia 2011-2021 Forte
- Kia 2021-2022 K5
- Kia 2011-2020 Optima
- Kia 2011-2021 Rio
- Kia 2011-2021 Sedona
- Kia 2021-2022 Seltos
- Kia 2011-2022 Soul
- Kia 2011-2022 Sorento
- Kia 2011-2022 Sportage
Hyundai and Kia Respond
In response to the stunning rise in thefts of their autos, each Hyundai and Kia responded with measures to mitigate issues. The firms started engaged on a software program replace that may principally repair the issue, which is simply now being rolled out. In the meantime, they provided a safety package that may be a glass-break sensor that units off an alarm and immobilizes the ignition. Unfortunately, this package shouldn’t be free, costing $170 plus set up, which can also be handed on to the proprietor. Hyundai and Kia moreover gave steering wheel locks to police departments in cities with the best theft charges to distribute.
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Car Theft Is On The Rise In America
Car Theft peaked within the early 2000s, however bottomed out within the 2010s. Recently, nonetheless, it has surged upward, topping over one million autos stolen prior to now two years. The current uptick coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, however there would not appear to be another arduous connection between the 2.
On high of the simple ‘boostability’ of Hyundai and Kia fashions, tech hacks have made grabbing any fashionable car a breeze. Since all the things is software-based, thieves have discovered the way to bypass safety measures. Slim Jims and screwdrivers was the instruments of the commerce for a automotive thief, however now all they want is an App.
Worst States for Vehicle Theft
It’s not simply the model and mannequin of a automotive that makes it extra prone to be stolen, it is the place it’s situated. Not surprisingly, probably the most populous states have the best quantity of car theft, with California, Texas, and Florida taking the highest three spots. Michigan and Pennsylvania are the one two states within the high ten for inhabitants that did not make the listing of high car thefts.
Other states far exceeded their population-to-vehicle theft ratio, like Missouri which is 18th in inhabitants, however tenth in car thefts. Washington additionally outpaces the statistics, rating thirteenth in inhabitants, however 4th in stolen autos.
States with the Highest Volume of Vehicle Theft in 2023
- California – 208,688
- Texas – 115,013
- Florida – 46,213
- Washington – 43,160
- Illinois – 41,528
- Colorado – 34,068
- New York – 32,715
- Ohio – 31,647
- New Jersey – 28,171
- Missouri – 27,279
Worst Cities for Vehicle Theft
There’s an enormous distinction in crime between residing in Bishop or Los Angeles, California and the fact is, that almost all car theft is concentrated in city facilities. In the least shocking factor ever, the large Los Angeles space tops the listing of the cities with probably the most car theft quantity. California dominates the listing with the San Francisco Bay Area coming in second.
All the metro areas one would count on, like Chicago, NYC, and Houston made the highest ten, however the a lot much less populous Washington D.C. metro space can also be a car theft hub. In reality, in relation to the car theft fee, D.C. is on the high with 1,149.71 thefts per 100,000 residents. That is greater than twice as a lot as the subsequent worst metropolis, which is Denver, Colorado with 583.25 thefts per 100,000 folks.
Cities with the Highest Volume of Vehicle Theft in 2023
- Los Angeles – 72,460
- San Francisco – 40,977
- Chicago – 36,272
- Houston – 35,119
- Dallas – 34,135
- New York City – 33,596
- Seattle – 31,328
- Denver – 24,498
- Washington D.C. – 24,119
- Philadelphia – 23,339
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The Hyundai Elantra Is Only Part Of The Problem
The Hyundai Elantra will be the most regularly stolen car mannequin for 2023, however there’s the larger subject of the large rise of property crime in America. Violent crime will get all of the headlines, however is definitely on the decline, and uncommon exterior neighborhoods most folk know to avoid. Burglary, car break-ins, smash and grabs, and car theft, then again, are on the rise all over the place and happen extra regularly. Even individuals who aren’t direct victims nonetheless pay within the type of increased retail costs and jacked-up insurance coverage premiums.
Experts are at a loss to clarify the bounce in property crime, however the causes appear fairly apparent. Much like how Hyundai and Kia fashions get stolen as a result of they’re straightforward to spice up, theft is a simple crime to get away with. Property theft shouldn’t be a excessive precedence for many main metropolitan police departments and in lots of circumstances officers will not even reply, telling victims to file a report that can by no means be investigated. LAPD already would not reply to most theft calls however, in accordance with the LA Times, is contemplating ignoring all non-violent incidents, together with car theft. With little or no probability of being caught, there’s hardly any deterrent.