Alix Malticheux and Nick Jame
19 minutes ago
NEW YORK (NEXSTAR) – Thieves are changing the vehicles they target most – and social media trends may be to blame.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) has recalculated its list of most frequently stolen cars using new data from 2023. In years past, full-size pickup trucks tended to top the list, but that's no longer the case.
When it comes to the most frequently stolen vehicles, the classic American pickup truck has been dethroned by corporate sedans. In 2023, his Hyundai Elantra took the top spot with over 48,000 reported thefts nationwide.
Hyundai and Kia together account for 6 of the 10 most frequently stolen models. Car thefts from these two companies have skyrocketed by 1,000% since 2020, when videos showing how to steal cars using vulnerabilities began circulating on TikTok.
Hyundai eventually set up pop-up “clinics” across the country to provide anti-theft software upgrades to owners of affected vehicles. Kia also announced security upgrades for the end of 2023.
For New York State, the Hyundai Elantra and Sonata took two of the top three spots, with the top of the list nearly identical, with the Honda CR-V sitting between them in second place.
According to the NICB, the top 10 most frequently stolen vehicles in New York State in 2023 are:
rank | Make/Model | Number of thefts in 2023 |
1. | hyundai elantra | 1,575 |
2. | Honda CR-V | 1,456 |
3. | hyundai sonata | 1,168 |
Four. | kia sportage | 1,105 |
Five. | honda accord | 998 |
6. | kia forte | 870 |
7. | kia optima | 591 |
8. | honda civic | 555 |
9. | hyundai tucson | 522 |
Ten. | jeep grand cherokee | 515 |
The NICB reports that just over 1 million vehicles were reported stolen last year. Meanwhile, in Illinois, 32,715 vehicles were stolen, a 15% increase over last year. The group collected data from the National Crime Information Center.
According to FBI crime data, vehicle thefts have been on the rise recently. To avoid becoming a target, NICB recommends parking in well-lit areas, never leaving your keys in your car, never leaving your car alone while driving, and hiding valuables out of sight. There is.
If your car is stolen, report it to the police and your auto insurance company immediately. Quick reporting helps in tracking the car. According to NICB data, almost half of stolen cars are recovered within two days.