Here's the most stolen car in Florida and why it attracts car thieves. How to prevent it
There were more than 850,000 vehicles stolen in the United States in 2024, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, and some models are more likely to get boosted than others.
The most stolen vehicle last year, for the second year in a row, was the Hyundai Elentra, the NICB said, with nearly 32,000 jacked. Just behind that was the Hyundai Sonata (26,720).
That can be important to know for anyone buying a new vehicle, since high theft rates can mean higher insurance premiums on top of the costs of replacement, the massive inconvenience and the personal violation.
What about in Florida?
FinanceBuzz went through the NICB data to find the most stolen vehicle in each state.
In Florida, that was also the Hyundai Elantra, with 1,074 reported stolen in 2024. The Elentra is an economical compact sedan although the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classifies some models as mid-size sedans. Elentra models have been chosen as the North American Car of the year in 2012 and 2021.
We weren't alone. The Elantra also was the most popular car for thieves in 20 other states. After that, thieves grabbed trucks like the Chevrolet Silverado (most stolen in 9 states) and Ford F-150 (most stolen in 6 states), FinanceBuzz said.
Blame it on social media.
After people noticed that many Hyundais and Kias lacked anti-theft immobilizers — electronic security devices that prevent an engine from starting without a smart key or fob — videos began to spread across YouTube and TikTok showing how to start their engines with a screwdriver and a USB cable. That led to a sudden increase and thefts from a viral TikTok car-stealing trend called the "Kia Challenge" and groups like the "Kia Boys."
Hyundai and Kia settled a $145 million class action suit in 2023 for the thefts, which was estimated to cover about 9 million affected vehicles.
Hyundai and Kia thefts spiked during the pandemic, but started dropping again after an aggressive program of free software upgrades, reinforced ignition cylinder protectors added in models after 2021, and reimbursement.
Fighting the Kia Challenge: How effective is the Hyundai, Kia anti-theft software? New study offers insights.
The changes seem to be helping. Despite the Hyundai's top spots on the latest most-stolen list, Hyundai and Kia thefts fell by about 37.5% in 2024, NICB data showed.
Overall, all vehicle thefts decreased 17% back to pre-pandemic levels in 2024, the NICB said, compared to the historic 1,020,729 thefts in 2023.
According to FinanceBuzz, based on NICB data, the vehicles stolen the most often were:
Hyundai Elantra - 31,712
Hyundai Sonata - 26,720
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 - 21,666
Honda Accord - 18,539
Kia Optima - 17,493
Honda Civic - 15,727
Kia Soul - 13,562
Ford F150 Series - 12,952
Toyota Camry - 12,296
Dodge Charger -11,452
The NICB has the following tips:
Don't leave your keys in your vehicle
Don't leave the area while your vehicle is running
Always park in well-lit areas
Close and lock all windows and doors when you park
Hide valuables out of sight, such as in the glove box or trunk
If your vehicle is stolen, call law enforcement and your insurer immediately. According to AAA.com, about 80% of stolen vehicles are recovered within the first two days of the theft
Geico recommends keeping your vehicle title outside of the vehicle in case it gets stolen, so it can't be sold as easily.
You can also use tracking devices and apps such as Apple AirTags with apps to keep tabs on your vehicle at all times.
Anti-theft systems may not seem like a necessity, but your vehicle is a huge investment and having it stolen can be costly, inconvenient, and can even cause employment or health problems if you have no other way to get around. Anti-theft systems can't completely prevent someone from jacking your car, but they go a long way toward making car theft a lot harder and less attractive. They're especially recommended if you don't have a way to keep an eye on your vehicle when it's parked near your home.
In the U.S. market, Hyundai vehicles made from 2016 to 2021 and Kia vehicles made from 2011 to 2021 used a steel key, rather than a key fob and push-button start, making them easier to steal and more attractive to thieves.
Hyundai and Kia reached out to the affected vehicle owners with offers of free software upgrades. If you have not received such an upgrade, contact your local Hyundai or Kia dealer.
Kia also offered a free steering wheel lock available directly from Kia or from local law enforcement. If that's unavailable for you, you can buy your own steering wheel lock at many retailers.
Charles Singh, Nashville Tennessean, contributed to this story
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Hyundai Elentra most stolen car in Florida in 2024, but thefts are down
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