Vehicle thefts in the United States fell 23% during the first six months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, according to the latest analysis from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).The organization credits the collective efforts of law enforcement, automakers, and insurers for the drop, yet some common everyday vehicles still top the list of the most stolen vehicles.Over the last few years, the car theft landscape has been defined by technical loopholes, digital hacks, and social media exploits more than anything else.
Some vehicle manufacturers appear twice on the NICB list with two separate models, which we have combined in our list below.We will also look at a few simple ways you can prevent your own car from being stolen.4 Ford F-150 As the best-selling vehicle in America, there is a constant demand for Ford F-150 parts and accessories.
Since catalytic converters are physical hardware rather than software, they are harder to trace, and the higher ground clearance of the average F-150 often makes it all the more tempting for thieves to crawl underneath.On the more technical side, F-150 trucks are targeted with relay attacks that trick the engine into starting by amplifying a key fob's signal.Ford has since introduced a feature called Start Inhibit that allows owners to remotely disable the engine via the FordPass app.
Start Inhibit is part of the larger Ford Security package, which is a monthly subscription service.Despite these countermeasures, the F150’s sheer volume on the road and its resale value on the black market mean it will likely remain a sought-after target for thieves.Overall, the Ford F-150 saw nearly 5,000 instances of theft through the first half of 2025.
Additionally, because F-150s are common work or recreational trucks, they often contain valuable tools and equipment, making the bed contents just as lucrative for criminals as the truck itself.3 Chevrolet Silverado The Chevy Silverado 1500 is a target because tech-savvy thieves have discovered digital vulnerabilities that allow them to bypass the truck’s security system.Silverados from 2019 onward are susceptible to something called CAN bus injection attacks, in which devices connected to external wiring (such as the headlights or front sensors) fool the truck into unlocking the doors and disabling the engine immobilizer.
Thieves can also use ECM swaps, replacing the engine computer with an unlocked version, or use signal-cloning tools to mimic the owner's key fob.Through the first half of 2025, Silverado trucks saw 8,006 instances of theft according to NICB data.While Corvettes might be sleek and fast, the Silverado truly has a target on its tailgate (literally).
As one of the best-selling vehicles in America, there is a constant black market for its parts, including the tailgates and factory wheels of upper trim levels, like the High Country.Trucks like the Silverado are also frequently targeted by organized crime for a variety of exploits, given their bed space, 4x4 capability, and overall ruggedness.2 Honda Accord The Honda Accord is usually among the most stolen vehicles because its ubiquitous parts, namely the airbags and catalytic converters, can easily be resold under the table.
It lands on the list of most-stolen vehicles with over 8,500 thefts.Overall, the Accord’s popularity is likely to blame here.With so many on the road, demand for everyday parts and service is high.
This makes the humble Accord a prime target for thieves who can sell the parts for less than a dealer would charge.Honda parts are also commonly interchangeable, while late-model Sport and Touring trim levels are susceptible because of their factory wheels.Blame it on popularity again, but the Accord blends in with traffic.
Whereas a fast exotic will stand out, a thief can boost an Accord, and virtually nobody around them on the road will be any wiser.Interestingly, the Honda Civic also ranks among the most stolen vehicles through the first half of 2025 (6,396 thefts) for nearly the same reasons.1 Hyundai Elantra Despite Herculean efforts to patch the security flaw exploited by the “Kia Boys” on social media, older-model Hyundai Elantras and Sonatas, specifically those without an engine immobilizer, remain the most stolen vehicles by sheer volume throughout the first half of 2025.
According to NICB data, the Elantra was the most stolen with over 11,300 thefts, followed by the Sonata at 9,154 thefts.In 2022, a viral TikTok trend showed how Kia and Hyundai vehicles from 2011 through 2022 could be stolen with a USB cable.The infamous Kia Challenge exposed that these vehicles actually lacked engine immobilizers, a common anti-theft feature that prevents the car from starting without the key fob.
An IIHS study found that Hyundai and Kia were far behind the curve compared with other automakers in installing engine immobilizers across their lineups.The IIHS found that only 26 percent of 2015 model-year vehicles manufactured by Hyundai and Kia were equipped with immobilizers, compared to 96 percent across all other automakers.In early 2023, Hyundai and Kia launched a massive recall involving free software updates, though it was not without its hurdles and challenges.
In May 2023, the companies reached a $200 million settlement to compensate owners.A $9 million multi-state settlement was finalized in late 2025.The Kia Optima, like the Elantra and Sonata, was also targeted during the Kia Challenge in 2022.
NICB data shows there were 6,011 Kia Optima thefts in the first half of 2025.As a potential silver lining, the IIHS notes that although theft rates for Hyundai and Kia vehicles remain relatively high, they have declined substantially from their original peak levels.How to protect your car from being stolen The most effective strategy is a layered defense that combines digital safeguards and physical barriers.
Thwart high-tech relay attacks and key cloning by storing your fobs in a Faraday pouch, which blocks the radio signals that trick your car into starting.For an added digital layer, install an OBD-II port lock to prevent criminals from plugging in devices to program new keys, and consider an AI-powered GPS tracker.Meanwhile, old-school visible deterrents remain effective because thieves generally prefer the path of least resistance.
For example, a standard steering wheel club or a brake-pedal lock is often enough to make a would-be thief walk right on past.
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