Most Stolen Cars in the US for 2025

Car theft is surging in cities across the United States. But some models are more popular than others. So if you own any of the vehicles on our list or if you’re considering an auto loan to purchase one, you might want to make sure your doors are locked. 

How Many Cars Have Been Hot-Wired?

According to report from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), there were 1,008,756 vehicles that were stolen in the United States in 2023, marking a 1% increase over the already alarming numbers from 2022.

And even though recent years haven’t been as bad as the thriving auto theft days of the 1980s, many major cities are witnessing an increased number of stolen cars. 

That’s why it’s important to make sure that your vehicle is insured, protected and difficult to steal. You can’t afford to let your guard down, and investing in vehicle security is imperative. Everything from alarm systems to wheel locks is worth considering if you want peace of mind.

The Most Stolen Cars in the US

Let’s take a closer look at some car brands that are commonly targeted by thieves, with the latest numbers from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). 

Hyundai Elantra

• Number of Thefts: 48,445
• Model Year With Most Thefts: 2017

This year, thefts of Elantra model vehicles have skyrocketed by 147%. With Elantra, most thieves are targeting the newer, 2017 version, showing that the safety weakenesses of Hyundai's cars stretched for years.

Hyundai Sonata

• Number of Thefts: 42,813
• Model Year With Most Thefts: 2013

This car is one of the most commonly seen on US streets, but the reason for the large number of thefts also had something to do with the Kia Boyz viral trend, which led to many thieves targeting Hyundai vehicles, and even a class action lawsuit against the carmaker. The number of Sonata models has almost doubled compared to the year before.

Kia Optima

• Number of Thefts: 30,204
• Model Year With Most Thefts: 2015

Kia has also been targeted by the same theft approach as Hyundai vehicles, which is why it's Optima model has also jumped higher in this year's list of stolen vehicles, along with the fact that consumer interest in this car model has been growing in the past years as well.

Chevrolet Silverado 1500

• Number of Thefts: 23,721
• Model Year With Most Thefts: 2004

The model that's most stolen is 2004, most likely due to the fact that older Chevy models don't have the modern anti-theft technology present in newer full-size pickups. The number of stolen Chevys of this model has dropped by almost double digits compared to just two years earlier.

Kia Soul

• Number of Thefts: 21,001
• Model Year With Most Thefts: 2015

Kia Soul model has entered the list this year for the first time, with the model 2015/2016 being the most targeted by thieves.

Honda Accord

• Number of Thefts: 20,895
• Model Year With Most Thefts: 1997

Honda Accord has long been one of the most stolen cars in the country, especially the 1997 model, which has parts that are still valuable and used in other models. Still, the number of stolen Accords has dropped by around 11% compared to the previous year.

Honda Civic

• Number of Thefts: 19,858
• Model Year With Most Thefts: 2000

In addition to being a very popular car brand, the Honda Civic 2000 model is also highly vulnerable. 19,858 units of this vehicle were stolen in 2023 alone. 

Honda lacks some of the more advanced anti-theft technology found in modern cars. Moreover, there are a lot of Honda vehicles in circulation across the country, and different models use some of the same parts. This makes Honda a lucrative grab for chop shops.

Kia Forte

• Number of Thefts: 16,209
• Model Year With Most Thefts: 2021

Kia now dominates this list more than ever, with its newer 2021 model of Kia Forte also entering the list, marking another alarming trend for the carmaker.

Ford F150 Series Truck

• Number of Thefts: 15,852
• Model Year With Most Thefts: 2006

In 2022, the total number of Ford F-series thefts stood at 48,175, so this year's numbers represent a massive decrease in thefts.

Kia Sportage

• Number of Thefts: 15,749
• Model Year With Most Thefts: 2020

To finish off this year's list, it's once again Kia, with its 2020 model of Sportage cars now being the tenth-most stolen in the US.

States With the Highest Number of Car Thefts in 2025

1. California - 202,685
2. Texas - 105,015
3. Washington - 46,939
4. Florida - 45,973
5. Colorado - 42,237
6. Illinois - 38,649
7. Ohio - 29,913
8. Missouri - 29,345
9. New York - 28,292
10. Georgia - 26,529

How to Protect Your Car from Being Stolen

Regardless of what type of vehicle you have, there is a chance that it can end up being stolen. This is why it’s important to shield your car from criminal elements that are becoming increasingly sophisticated in hot-wiring some of the most secure models on the market.

Below are different steps you can take to protect your vehicle from being stolen:

1. Install a tracking system so that you know where your vehicle is at all times. 
2. Consider getting a vehicle immobilizer system installed.
3. Install an anti-theft device and an audible alarm system so that you are immediately alerted if anyone tries to break into your vehicle.
4. Park in areas that are well-lit, making it more difficult for someone to steal your car.
5. Close the windows - you may be surprised to hear that many people accidentally leave their car windows open, making the job for criminals that much easier. 
6. Do not leave your spare keys anywhere near your vehicle. 
7. Make sure your keys are removed from your vehicle at all times, even if you’re just running into a nearby grocery store to grab some milk.
8. Always double-check that your car doors are locked. Remember, you don’t want to make life easier for the criminals.