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For the first time in four years, motor vehicle theft There has been a decline in America.
In fact, the number fell below one million for the first time in 2024 cars Theft was reported from 2021, aaa report,
By the end of 2024, the number of car theft That had fallen 17 percent to 850,708, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau.
Despite the seemingly opportunistic nature of auto theftMany are actually targeted, with certain makes and models of cars having security vulnerabilities suitable for exploitation.
Based on NICB data, here are the top 10 most stolen cars in the US in the year 2024, why they are targeted, and how to best prevent theft.
Hyundai Elantra
Hyundai Elantra tops the list with 31,712 vehicles reported stolen in 2024. The thieves largely targeted 2011-2021 models, which lacked an engine immobilizer. If someone tries to start the car without the correct key or fob, the engine immobilizer will shut it down, but without that technology, anyone who gets access to the car can start it with a few tools.
The current Hyundai has fixed that vulnerability and the company released a software update For owners with affected vehicles.
Hyundai Sonata
Sonata was stolen approximately 26,720 times, the main reason for which was Elantra. The same vulnerability was exploited, allowing thieves to break into mid-size sedans.
Chevy Silverado
Chevy Silverados were stolen 21,666 times in 2024, the most of any truck on the NICB list. There are a few reasons why thieves target Silverados. Like Hyundai, a key fob vulnerability in some model years allowed thieves to quickly gain access to trucks and take them.
A class action lawsuit was filed this year alleging that GM knowingly failed to implement adequate anti-theft protections in its keyless ignition technology. car and driver, Independent Chevy has requested comment regarding the lawsuit.
Honda Accord
Recently in 2014, Honda Accord top of the list One of the most stolen cars in America, according to NICB data.
And 10 years later, it is still targeted extensively, with 8,539 thefts reported.
Due to the cars’ popularity among drivers, there is a high demand for parts to keep used Hondas running, which creates incentives for thieves, according to ABC NewsThe Accord – and later on this list, the Civic – are victims of their own success.
kia optima
According to NICB data, 17,493 Kia Optimus were stolen last year. The same problem that plagues Hyundai – the lack of an engine immobilizer in some older models – also made Kias an easy target for thieves. Kia, like Hyundai, offered free software updates to owners to help combat the exploit.
Honda Civic
The Honda Accord’s smaller, more economy-focused brother, the Civic, was stolen 15,727 times in 2024. The reasons are largely the same – Civics have been extremely popular vehicles for over a decade and their parts are in high demand.
kia soul
With 13,562 thefts in 2024, the Kia Soul fell victim to the same security exploit that thieves used to steal the Kia Optimus. The lack of engine immobilizer in older models made them vulnerable to thieves.
Ford F-150 Series Pickup
The second truck on this list, the Ford F-150 series truck, was stolen 12,952 times last year. Like Honda, the Ford F-150 is also likely being targeted because the truck is so popular. The Ford F Series has been the most popular truck brand in America for a decade, and the F-150 in particular has been the best-selling truck in America for nearly 50 years, according to road and track,
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry 2024 was stolen 12,296 times. Older Camry models with less advanced security measures have proven popular targets for thieves, and Camry tires have been a particularly sought-after part for car strippers. Camry joins in 2022 List of Premier Services Top four vehicles most affected by wheel theft.
dodge charger
Last year, 11,452 Dodge Chargers were stolen. According to , the Charger SRT Hellcat has been a particularly sought-after vehicle for thieves due to its rarity and the power of its engines. Insurance Institute for Highway SafetyThefts of Hellcats peaked in 2023, when on-road thefts were 60 times higher than the average for all other 2021-22 models.
stop theft
The best way to prevent theft is to take a multi-layered approach to security. While some thefts – such as those targeting Kias, Hyundais and Silverados – take advantage of entry system vulnerabilities, any vehicle, no matter the type, will be safer if it is parked in a well-lit, secure area, and if physical measures such as wheel locks and alarms are used to prevent and discourage unauthorized driving. Obviously, drivers should always lock their vehicles and ensure their windows are completely closed to prevent unwanted entry. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,
For owners who drive cars with potential software vulnerabilities, checking for any updated security software will also help reduce the chance of theft.
In a situation when a driver’s car is stolen, systems like Lojax and other GPS tracking devices can help locate stolen vehicles and even disable them remotely.