Top 10 Most Stolen Cars in America

Kia and Hyundai vehicles make up the top three and six out of the top 10 spots of the most stolen cars in America.

Updated: March 10, 2026

Advertising & Editorial Disclosure

A masked individual in a hoodie is attempting to break into a car using a tool, illustrating a scene of vehicle theft.

The Hyundai Elantra is America's most stolen car, with 48,445 thefts in 2023, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). This shift breaks the long-standing trend of full-size pickups breaking the long-standing trend of full-size pickups leading the most-stolen list. Close behind are the Hyundai Sonata, with 42,813 thefts, and the Kia Optima, with 30,204 thefts. The Sonata and Elantra first appeared on the list in 2022 before surging to the top two spots in 2023.

Among the top 10 most-stolen cars, Hyundai and Kia occupy six spots, including the top three. The NICB attributes the shift to social media videos demonstrating how to steal these models. After Hyundai and Kia, the most-stolen vehicles are full-size pickups and mid-size cars, including the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Honda Accord, Honda Civic, and Ford F-150 Series pickup.

Most Stolen Cars: Key Takeaways

The Hyundai Elantra and Sonata were the most stolen vehicles in 2023, with 48,445 and 42,813 reported incidents, respectively.

Nationwide vehicle thefts increased by 1% from 2022 to 2023, totaling 1,020,729 incidents.

Hyundai and Kia brands overtook full-size pickups as the most stolen vehicles in the U.S.

Over 85% of stolen passenger vehicles were recovered, with 34% found on the same day they were reported.

The Most Stolen Cars as of 2023

The NICB's list of the most stolen cars in the U.S.

Hyundai Elantra
Hyundai Sonata
Kia Optima
Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Kia Soul
Honda Accord
Honda Civic
Kia Forte
Ford F-150 Series pickup
Kia Sportage

Source: National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB)

1. Hyundai Elantra

Vehicles Stolen: 48,445

Model Base Price: $27,895 to $29,910 (2024 model)

The Hyundai Elantra jumped from sixth place in 2022 to first with 48,445 thefts.

2. Hyundai Sonata

Vehicles Stolen: 42,813

Model Base Price: $27,500 to $34,950 (2024 model)

Hyundai Sonata thefts increased 97% to 42,813 in 2023, up from 21,707 the previous year. The 2013 Sonata was the most frequently stolen model year.

3. Kia Optima

Vehicles Stolen: 30,204

Model Base Price: $23,390 to $32,190 (2020 Model)

Kia Optima thefts rose 66% to 30,204 in 2023, putting it third on the most-stolen list.

4. Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Vehicles Stolen: 23,721

Model Base Price: $36,800 to $69,900 (2024 model)

The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 led all vehicles in 2022 with 49,903 thefts but fell to fourth place with 23,721 in 2023.

5. Kia Soul

Vehicles Stolen: 21,001

Model Base Price: $20,190 to $24,490 (2024 model)

The Kia Soul entered the most-stolen list for the first time in 2023 with 21,001 thefts. High parts demand makes the Soul a prime target for thieves.

6. Honda Accord

Vehicles Stolen: 20,895

Model Base Price: $27,895 to $29,910 (2024 model)

Honda Accord thefts fell to 20,895 in 2023. Its parts remain in high demand, making the Accord a consistent theft target.

7. Honda Civic

Vehicles Stolen: 19,858

Model Base Price: $23,950 to $31,450 (2024 model)

Honda Civic thefts dropped to 19,858 in 2023. Older Civics, like the 2000 model, lack modern anti-theft systems and are easier to steal.

8. Kia Forte

Vehicles Stolen: 16,209

Model Base Price: $19,990 to $25,390 (2024 model)

The Kia Forte is on the most-stolen list this year with 16,209 thefts.

9. Ford F-150 Series Pickup

Vehicles Stolen: 15,852

Model Base Price: $36,770 to $78,330 (2024 model)

Ford F-150 thefts totaled 15,852 in 2023. Its parts and truck bed accessories make it a common theft target.

10. Kia Sportage

Vehicles Stolen: 15,749

Model Base Price: $27,190 to $37,990 (2024 model)

Kia Sportage thefts reached 15,749 in 2023.

Most Stolen Cars by State

The most stolen vehicles and theft rates vary by location. To find the most stolen car in your state, click or tap on the interactive map below.

Source: National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB)

State-by-State Theft Analysis

California leads the nation with 208,668 reported vehicle thefts, according to NICB data. Washington, D.C., has the highest theft rate, with 1,150 thefts per 10,000 people, three times the national average. The district also experienced the largest increase in car thefts, with a 64% rise compared to 2022.

Most Stolen Cars: Top States by Theft Volume

Based on NICB data, the volume of vehicle thefts in the top ten states stayed steady in 2023, with California leading, followed by Texas and Florida. California, Texas, Washington, Colorado and Missouri rank in the top 10 for both theft volume and theft rate.

Rank	State	Vehicles Stolen
	California	208,668
	Texas	115,013
	Florida	46,213
	Washington	43,160
	Illinois	41,528
	Colorado	34,068
	New York	32,715
	Ohio	31,647
	Georgia	28,171
	Missouri	27,279

Most Stolen Cars: Top States by Theft Rate

The NICB analyzed the rate of stolen cars by state using data from the National Crime Information Center. Washington, D.C., Nevada and Maryland ranked among the top 10 states for vehicle theft rates.

Rank	State	Theft Rate/100,000 People
	Washington, D.C.	1,150
	Colorado	583
	Nevada	573
	Washington	554
	California	534
	New Mexico	490
	Missouri	442
	Maryland	428
	Oregon	394
	Texas	383

5 Tips to Prevent Car Theft

Vehicle thefts in the U.S. reached 1,001,967 in 2022. That's nearly two thefts every minute. High theft rates matter most to vehicle owners in high-risk areas, such as Colorado, Washington, D.C., Oregon and New Mexico. MoneyGeek outlines several strategies to help you protect your vehicle.

Lock doors and windows

The simplest way to keep your car from being stolen is to lock the doors and windows whenever you leave your vehicle.

Be mindful of your keys

Losing your keys or leaving them in your car is an open invitation for a thief to take your vehicle. Keep a close eye on your keys and make sure they’re on your person or near you at all times, even if you’re at home. Consider getting alarms for your keys so you can track their location on your phone.

Install vehicle safety devices

Beyond standard safety habits, install additional security devices. Vehicle immobilizers, steering wheel locks and GPS tracking devices can deter car theft.

Park your car in secure areas

You can't always control where you park, but choose well-lit areas with CCTV cameras or parking lots with security when possible.

Protect your vehicle’s wheels from theft

If thieves can’t steal your car, they can try to steal your wheels instead. For vehicles in long-term storage, install lug nut locks or wheel clamps to protect your tires.

Most Stolen Cars: FAQ

Why are some cars stolen more than others?

Older models are easier to steal. Vehicles with widely used parts also attract thieves because those parts are lucrative to sell.

How common is car theft in the U.S.?

In 2023, thieves stole 1,020,729 vehicles (about 2,797 per day). Thefts rose 1% from 1,008,756 in 2022.

What's the hardest car to steal and why?

Tesla models and luxury brands like Jaguar and Lexus use anti-theft technology that makes them difficult to steal. These systems alert the owner and manufacturer immediately when tampering occurs.

What is the easiest car to steal and why?

Older vehicles and budget-friendly brands, like certain Hyundai and Kia models, are easier to steal because they lack immobilizers and modern security features. Models without keyless entry or alarm systems are at higher risk.

What is the most stolen car in America?

The Hyundai Elantra is the most stolen car in America, with 48,445 thefts in 2023. Thieves most frequently targeted the 2017 model.

How have vehicle theft trends changed over recent years?

MoneyGeek's analysis of NICB's Hot Wheels reports from 2016 to 2023 shows major shifts in vehicle thefts. Ford and Chevrolet pickups were historically the most stolen vehicles but were surpassed in 2023. The Hyundai Sonata and Elantra climbed into the top 10. The Honda Accord and Civic have remained among the most stolen cars since 2016.