In 2023, there were a lot of cars stolen in the United States. Hyundai and Kia cars were the most stolen. A report from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) said that six out of the top 10 stolen cars were from Hyundai and Kia. The Hyundai Elantra was number one on the list, with 48,445 thefts.
The president and CEO of NICB, David J. Glawe, talked about the problem. He said that car theft is a big issue and that they are trying to stop it. He said that people should be careful and protect their cars.
The Hyundai Sonata was in second place with 42,813 thefts, and the Kia Optima/K5 was third with 30,204 thefts. This was the first time that South Korean cars were the top three most stolen cars. Before this, big trucks were usually the most stolen. In 2022, the Chevrolet Silverado was the most stolen car.
Hyundai and Kia became easy targets for thieves after TikTok videos went viral. These videos showed how to steal Kia cars easily. The problem was that Kia cars didn’t have something called an immobilizer in the key. Thieves could quickly get into the car, mess with the steering, and start the car with a USB cable. It only took about thirty seconds.
Even though Hyundai and Kia tried to fix the problem, car thefts still went up in 2023. But there are ways to protect your car. You can park in well-lit areas, lock your doors and windows, and hide your valuables. Don’t leave your keys in the car, and never leave your car running when you’re not there. If your car gets stolen, call the police and your insurance company right away. Most stolen cars are found, especially if you report it quickly.
