Quick LinksWhy Are These Cars Targeted? How to Protect Your Vehicle
As many people have noticed over the last few years, car thefts have become a growing problem. You would think that in our tech-focused world, automakers would have come up with a way to further protect our vehicles from getting stolen, but it’s obvious all it takes is a TikTok challenge to go viral for things to go downhill fast. With hundreds of thousands of car thefts per year, buyers and automakers need to understand what vehicles are the most susceptible to disappearing in the middle of the night, and fortunately, the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) is dedicated to tracking the acts.
The bureau collects its data from insurance companies across the country to get an accurate idea of the current theft landscape in our country and compiles it into yearly reports. For 2023, Kia and Hyundai models have the unceremonious distinction of topping the list, ending a years-long trend of pickup trucks dominating. We covered this topic before the unfortunate TikTok trend, and the figures were wildly different. While this isn’t great news for owners of these vehicles, understanding which cars are most at risk, why they’re stolen, and how you can protect your vehicle is essential for today’s car owners.
The good news is that 85% of stolen cars are recovered. Some of the cars on this list are stolen for their parts, but the Kias and Hyundais are mostly stolen for joyrides.
Kia Sportage
Thefts Reported: 15,749
Why It’s Targeted: The Sportage is the first vehicle on this list, which isn’t great but not terrible either. The stylish crossover is a popular choice given its sleek looks and composed ride, and unfortunately, thieves love it too because of its keyless entry system. Often they’re able to use an antenna system that allows them to extend the range of the keys in a person’s home to the vehicle, thereby unlocking and starting it, allowing them to drive away.
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Ford F-150
Thefts Reported: 15,852
Why It’s Targeted: As the best-selling truck in the US, the F-150 is a popular target for thieves due to its prevalence. Trucks are worth a pretty penny, and unfortunately, so are the parts that make them up. The vehicle’s high resale value also makes it an attractive option for organized crime rings, which can profit from stripping it of parts like catalytic converters, tailgates, and engines, or exporting them overseas.
Kia Forte
Thefts Reported: 16,209
Why It’s Targeted: Given the vulnerabilities of small Kia models, it’s no surprise the Kia Forte is on this list. Whether keyless or keyed, criminals are finding ways to steal the cars with ease, and it’s being targeted so much because it’s relatively common and there’s popular demand for interior parts. Our best suggestion is, if you are thinking about getting a Forte, go for the GT model with three pedals, because there’s no better theft deterrent than a manual transmission.
Honda Civic
Thefts Reported: 19,858
Why It’s Targeted: The Civic is one of the most popular cars there is, making it a frequent target. Older models are especially susceptible to theft, as many of these are customized, making them enticing targets, but the modern performance versions of these cars like the Si or Type R are also bigger targets.
Honda Accord
Thefts Reported: 20,895
Why It’s Targeted: The Accord’s long history of reliability makes it one of the most widely driven sedans in the US, making it a popular target because tons of parts are needed for repairs. Older models of the Accord are particularly vulnerable because they lack advanced anti-theft technology, but even the newer versions find themselves susceptible.
Kia Soul
Thefts Reported: 21,001
Why It’s Targeted: Just like the other Kias, the Soul’s compact size and similar ignition exploits make it a popular target. It’s commonly found in urban environments, where theft is more frequent, and its unique parts, especially its infotainment system, are in high demand. Best to park your car somewhere well-lit.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Thefts Reported: 23,721
Why It’s Targeted: The Silverado is one of America’s best-selling trucks, and trucks are expensive, so it’s a big target. Its parts, such as engines, tailgates, and even towing equipment, are highly sought after. In some cases, these trucks are even stolen for short-term use before being stripped of their valuable components, proving trucks really are highly versatile.
Kia Optima
Thefts Reported: 30,204
Why It’s Targeted: The Kia Optima is an interesting entry on this list for two reasons. One, the NICB still refers to the model as the Optima, despite it being called the K5 in the US since 2021, and two, the theft numbers jumped substantially starting with this model. It suffers from the same theft loopholes as other Kias do, but its high theft rate is an interesting one, and only gets worse for the next models.
Hyundai Sonata
Thefts Reported: 42,813
Why It’s Targeted: Jumping up even more in theft numbers is the Sonata, and this is most likely due to its close relation to the Elantra. The Sonata’s wide availability makes it easier for thieves to blend in and find buyers for its high-demand parts, especially when stripped for components like transmissions and interior electronics.
Hyundai Elantra
Thefts Reported: 48,445
Why It’s Targeted: In no surprise to just about anyone, the Elantra tops the list for 2023, with nearly 50,000 thefts reported, blowing every other vehicle out of the water. By now we’ve probably all seen the news stories explaining that the model is such a popular target because of videos that went viral online showing how easy they are to steal, and despite serious efforts by Hyundai to fix the issue, it still hasn’t deterred many thieves. If you own one and live in a populated area, our best suggestion would be to purchase a third-party theft deterrent device, because we don’t see the trend dying down anytime soon.
Why Are These Cars Targeted?
Ford
As you’ve probably gathered from the list, there are a few main reasons why these vehicles are commonly targeted, and it boils down to four main problems:
Popularity: Cars that are common on the road offer more opportunities for theft. Thieves prefer these vehicles because they can blend in easily and sell stolen parts or the entire car without attracting much attention. Demand for Parts: Many of these models have a large market for replacement parts, which drives theft numbers. Stolen cars are often stripped of parts like engines, transmissions, and electronics that can be sold on the black market or used to repair other vehicles. Keyless Entry Exploits: A major vulnerability in newer car models is the keyless entry system, which thieves can hack using devices that amplify the signal from the key fob, allowing them to unlock and start the car without needing the physical key. Less Advanced Security Features: Older models of popular vehicles, like the Honda Accord and Civic, lack modern anti-theft technologies, making them easier targets.
How to Protect Your Vehicle
Freepik
So what can you do to protect what, to many people, is the most expensive thing they own? Other than buying a vehicle with a good security system, your best options are to consider aftermarket solutions and better parking habits:
Use Physical Anti-Theft Devices: Visible deterrents like steering wheel locks or brake locks make your beloved car less appealing to thieves. Most are looking for an easy target, so simply seeing the deterrent is usually enough to pass your car by. Park in Secure Areas: Always try to park in well-lit, secure areas, such as a garage or monitored parking lot. While we know this isn’t always easy depending on your living situation, this is when you come back around to our first suggestion. Install a Car Alarm or Immobilizer: Car alarms and immobilizers can prevent the vehicle from being started without the correct key or code. While this won’t stop a thief from smashing your window and attempting to steal the car, it should stop them from going any further. Use GPS Tracking Devices: A GPS tracker can help you locate your car if it’s stolen, increasing the chances of recovery. There are plenty of great ones on the market that are discreet, and it could be a great option if you live in a particularly theft-prone area. Etch the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN): If looks aren’t a big deal for you, etching your car’s VIN onto its windows can be a great last-ditch effort to protect your vehicle. We don’t recommend this as a first move, because it doesn’t actually do anything to prevent thieves from taking your car, but in tandem with another tactic that could bolster your protection.
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Publish date : 2024-09-20 13:06:00
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