The National Insurance Crime Bureau has reported that two Hyundai models, the Elantra and Sonata, along with the Kia Optima, were the three most stolen vehicles in America last year. These theft numbers far surpassed those of the fourth most stolen model, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 pickup. Overall, six of the top 10 most stolen vehicles were Hyundai and Kia models, including the Kia Soul, Forte, and Sportage, as well as the Honda Accord, Honda Civic, and Ford F-150 pickup. The raw theft numbers are not adjusted for the population of a given model on the road, meaning that some vehicles may be more commonly stolen simply because there are more of them available.
Theft of older Hyundai and Kia models has increased by 1,000% since 2020, with certain older models being particularly vulnerable to car thieves. These models, made before 2023, lack basic auto theft prevention technologies such as electronic immobilizers, making them more appealing to thieves. Vehicles that require turn-key ignitions are roughly twice as likely to be stolen compared to cars that only require a button press to start. Techniques to steal these cars have spread through social media channels, leading to an increase in thefts. Hyundai and Kia operate as separate companies in the US, but Hyundai Motor Group owns a large stake in Kia, with various models sharing much of their engineering.
In response to the increase in thefts, Hyundai and Kia have agreed to a $200 million settlement with up to 9 million vehicle owners to improve the security of their vehicles. The settlement included payments for stolen and damaged vehicles, installation of anti-theft software, and other theft-preventative measures. Kia has taken comprehensive action to enhance the security of their vehicles, with more than 1.1 million vehicles nationwide having anti-theft software installed. Hyundai has retroactively added anti-theft measures to 1.3 million of its vehicles, in an effort to prevent criminals from exploiting vulnerabilities and stealing certain models. The companies are actively working to prevent thefts and protect their customers from falling victim to car theft.
The theft numbers reported by the National Insurance Crime Bureau are gathered through the National Crime Information Center and only count police-reported thefts. Certain older Hyundai and Kia models made before 2023 are specifically targeted by thieves due to their vulnerabilities and lack of theft prevention technologies. Electronic immobilizers, which confirm the authenticity of the key and its connection to the vehicle, are missing in these models, making them more susceptible to theft. The companies are taking steps to address these vulnerabilities and improve the security of their vehicles to prevent criminals from exploiting them for theft purposes.
Hyundai and Kia models continue to be top targets for car thieves, with theft numbers increasing significantly in recent years. The companies have taken steps to address the issue, including settling claims with vehicle owners, installing anti-theft software, and providing free steering wheel locks for vehicles that cannot accept the software. While newer models from these automakers are less vulnerable to theft, older models remain at risk due to their lack of advanced security features. Hyundai and Kia are working to enhance the security of their vehicles and prevent criminals from using social media to popularize theft methods.