Lock Your Doors: 10 Cars That Get Stolen Most Often In The U.S. & 10 That Don’t Get Touched
Lock Your Doors: 10 Cars That Get Stolen Most Often In The U.S. & 10 That Don’t Get Touched
How Sought-After Is Your Ride?
It may not seem like it, but car thieves have preferences, too. And chances are, they've got their eyes set on vehicles you'd never expect—maybe even yours. While some models disappear from driveways like clockwork, others sit untouched year after year. Want to know which is which? Let's look at the 10 hottest targets and the 10 safest bets.
1. Hyundai Elantra
You wouldn't expect an Elantra to cause so much trouble, yet it tops the theft charts. Many models lack engine immobilizers, which makes them quick grabs. Thieves don't care about style; they want speed and simplicity. That's why this unassuming sedan keeps disappearing.
2. Honda Civic
The Civic's popularity is both its superpower and its curse. Everyone drives one, and sadly, plenty get stolen. Its interchangeable parts and resale value make it irresistible to thieves. Older models, especially those from the early 2000s, lack modern anti-theft tech, making them easier targets.
3. Kia Optima
If the Kia Optima were a person, it'd be begging for a disguise. Thieves love it not for its looks but for its lax security. Thanks to widely shared online videos, stealing one became a twisted trend. Some owners even started chaining their wheels just to keep them overnight.
4. Kia Sportage
What's more appealing to thieves than a compact SUV with barely-there protection? Nothing. It looks like this car has a "steal me" sign on the hood. And yet, people keep buying them, parking them outside, and hoping for the best.
5. Kia Forte
The Kia Forte has become an easy win for car thieves across the country. Older models, especially those without immobilizers, are practically low-effort targets. In cities like Milwaukee and St. Louis, this model has seen dramatic spikes in theft, often disappearing in under two minutes.
6. Kia Rio
Small and weirdly irresistible to criminals. That's the Rio in a nutshell. For drivers, it's cheap to own. For thieves, it's even cheaper to take. Many models lack standard theft protection, which turns this budget-friendly ride into a frequent guest on local police blotters.
7. Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is the filet mignon of stolen vehicles. It's not flashy, just practical, which is exactly why it vanishes so often. Thieves don't need drama; they need reliability. This midsize champ has been stolen so many times, it could probably earn loyalty points.
8. Hyundai Sonata
The Hyundai Sonata has been consistently among the most stolen vehicles in recent years. In 2023, over 42,000 were reported stolen in the U.S., largely due to the TikTok-fueled exposé of vulnerability in older models. The missing immobilizer in specific years makes theft easy and alarmingly common across urban areas.
9. Ford F-150
America's bestselling truck is also a high-value target. The Ford F-150 offers desirable parts and easy access in many states. Thieves often go after older models lacking advanced anti-theft systems. It's a consistent entry on stolen vehicle lists from coast to coast.
10. Chevrolet Silverado
Big, bold, and too tempting to ignore—the Silverado is a parts goldmine. In regions like Texas and California, thieves track them like bounty hunters. Owners who leave them in poorly lit lots might return to a sad, empty space and a long police report.
So, those are the cars thieves can't seem to resist. But what about the ones they avoid, like the plague? Keep reading; you might be surprised to learn which vehicles barely make a blip on a car thief's radar.
1. Tesla Model 3
Stealing a Tesla Model 3 is nearly impossible. GPS tracking and over-the-air alerts make this car a digital fortress. Even if someone got inside, the vehicle would rat them out before they hit the road. That's why it ranks among the least stolen vehicles nationwide.
2. Tesla Model Y
Try sneaking off in a Model Y, and you'll feel like the car is watching you—because it is. Tesla cars record nearly everything, from who's lurking nearby to where they're headed. Thieves don't bother, knowing the Model Y sees all and remembers, too.
3. Volvo XC90
Apparently, luxury doesn't always scream "steal me". The XC90 is the elegant wallflower at the automotive dance. Despite its high-end features, it rarely disappears. Maybe it's the discreet styling, or maybe thieves assume it comes packed with serious security systems.
4. Volvo XC60
It's sleek, smart, and kind of invisible to car thieves. The Volvo XC60 has security baked into its DNA, and it shows. Maybe it's the quiet confidence or the solid European engineering. Either way, this one sits peacefully while others roll away into trouble.
5. Nissan Leaf
The Nissan Leaf doesn't entice criminals for one simple reason: it's not worth the hassle. Its unique drivetrain and limited resale value make it a logistical nightmare to steal or strip. Insurance claims reflect this, placing the Leaf among the most ignored cars by car thieves today.
Kārlis Dambrāns from Latvia on Wikimedia
6. Land Rover Defender
You'd think a rugged icon like the Defender would be prime loot. But this off-road tank mostly stays untouched, possibly because crooks know better than to mess with a GPS-tracked luxury fortress that costs more to fix than it's worth to flip. Sometimes, paranoia pays off.
7. Lexus UX 250h
It's not the loudest Lexus on the road, but that might be why it stays parked. The UX 250h blends in and stays under the radar, both literally and figuratively. Advanced security features plus hybrid complexity make it more trouble than it's worth for would-be thieves.
8. Cadillac XT5
With layered security and limited interest on the black market, the XT5 doesn't exactly top a thief's wish list. It's more of a city cruiser for professionals than a hot ticket for criminals. That combination keeps it consistently low on national theft reports.
9. Buick Encore
The Encore isn't flashy, and that's exactly the point. Thieves walk right past it without a second glance. Maybe it's the size, maybe it's the "grandparent energy," but whatever the reason, this compact SUV keeps its keys and dignity without much drama.
10. Chevrolet Equinox
Reliable? Yes. Wildly desirable? Not exactly. The Equinox is the sensible tennis shoe of SUVs: solid, practical, and about as tempting to steal as a tax form. Thieves know better than to waste time cracking into something that screams "middle-of-the-road insurance payout".
